proach to testing has been revised in favor of one or two essay question tests. As a result of this single format
change, more particularly my integration of the ideas of organizational possibilities and arrangement of ideas,
there has been a marked improvement in the quality of student writing as well as a comparable improvement in
the content of their essays. The time required to make personal comments on writing deficiencies and positive
suggestions for improvement has proven to be time well spent.

Another technique which has proven particularly successful with both the basic skills writing students and
students in Introduction to Theatre is my demonstration that, although | am not a composition teacher by trade,
the ways of the “real” world demand precisely those skills normally expected of the composition teacher. En-
couraging students to build on strengths in their writing and fostering their positive self-esteem serve ideally to
reinforce important basic skills concepts. For example, students usually experience difficulty with editing their
essay tests (often giving little more than a quick look-over before handing them in, if time permits); instructor's
suggestions for editing can easily be noted on these tests and serve students well on future exams.

Conclusion

Having viewed the inside of college writing through my exposure to basic skills teaching, | am convinced
that the entire curriculum should be demanding competent writing—and demonstration of basic skills
development—from our students. We should cease placing all the blame for the inadequacies of student writing

on the failure of composition teachers. Instead, the burden of responsibility should be on all of us in the liberal
arts.

Donald J. Jung
Theatre Arts Department

Castleton State College

For further information, contact the author at Castleton State College, Castleton, Vermont 05735.

tat iF

INNOVATION ABSTRACTS is a publication of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, EDB 348, The University of Texas at Austin,
Austin, Texas 78712, (512) 471-7545. Subscriptions are available to nonconsortium members for $35 per year. Funding in part by the W. K. Kellogg
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“| The University of Texas at Austin, 1985

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