Since not everyone on this list subscribes to
English Journal, the following is:
 
   English Journal's CALL FOR MANUSCRIPTS
ON GRAMMAR
 
Manuscripts on general issues should be
submitted to: English Journal, Leila
Christenbury, Editor, School of Education,
Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box
842020, Richmond, VA 23284-2020. For
detailed information regarding manuscript
submission, please write to the address above
and request an English Journal Style Sheet.
For all manuscripts, the following regulations
apply: three copies of each manuscript should
be submitted, typed and double-spaced
throughout (including quotations, end notes,
and works cited) with margins wide enough to
accommodate editor's marks. The name,
address, school affiliation, and telephone
numbers of the author should be included on
a title page, but not on the manuscript. English
Journal uses a modified MLA format.
Material may be submitted in either
WordPerfect 5.0 or 5.1 on diskettes formatted
for IBM-PC or IBM-PC compatible computers
or in Microsoft Word on Macintosh diskettes.
Faxed manuscripts and those on e-mail, both
of which are often difficult to read, will not be
accepted.
Manuscripts should be accompanied by a
self-addressed envelope with stamps attached
(not pasted on) and a statement guaranteeing
that the material has not been printed
elsewhere and is not being submitted
elsewhere. Receipt of manuscripts is
acknowledged by a postcard. English Journal
is refereed, and virtually all manuscripts are
read by two or more outside reviewers. We will
attempt to reach a decision on each article
within three months or sooner if possible.
Pieces which are in response to a specific call
for manuscripts will be decided upon after the
call for manuscripts' deadline.
 
The Great Debate (Again): Teaching Grammar
and Usage
(Deadline January 2, 1996)
 
It is an issue which will not die or go away:
what should English teachers do about the
teaching of grammar and usage?
We know that some colleagues, parents, and
other members of our communities expect us
to be the guardians of commas and correct
spelling and to eradicate finally and forever he
don't and ain't. Yet, while most of us agree that
basic grammar and usage should be taught in
some shape or form, what specifically do
students need to know? Why, and for what
purposes? When do they need to know
grammar and usage rules? What current
resources are useful for the teaching of
grammar and usage? What practical
techniques seem to work?
Other questions include:
How does writing fit into the intelligent
teaching of grammar and usage? When does
a teacher merge student writing and grammar
and usage nomenclature and rules? When--if
ever--should that teacher test the
nomenclature and the rules? Should such a
test be within the context of writing or outside
it? Finally, what, realistically, can we expect to
gain from the time we spend teaching
grammar and usage?