Topics for Writing

Question: Which did teachers prefer to read—compositions on assigned topics or student self-chosen topics?

Answer; “Found that the teacher responded to topics introduced by students rather than introducing topics herself.” JK Peyton and M Seyoun. 1989. P. 210.

Comment: I can see both sides to this issue. Students will obviously be more interested in writing about topics familiar to them. But they also have to learn how to deal with assigned topics. In either case, brainstorming as a prewriting technique will be helpful. The trouble is most writing tests don’t allow time for it. RayS.

Title: “Annotated Bibliography of Research in the Teaching of English.” JD Marshall and RK Durst, Eds. Research in the Teaching of English (May 1990), 205-221.