Plain language is defined in a variety of ways, but is generally understood to refer to language and design strategies that make texts easier for target audiences to understand and use. Research has helped demonstrate that plain language strategies work, not only to improve reader comprehension, but also to save individuals and organizations time and money. Most plain language research focuses on the outcomes of plain language texts; however, there are a variety of complex processes that happen behind the scenes as these texts are produced. To better understand the complexity of plain language work and the challenges of producing these texts, this dissertation studies plain language using rhetorical and sociolinguistic theories. This framework allows us to see how plain language produces meaning within complex social and cultural contexts. Using the rhetorical triangle as an organizing framework, this dissertation proposes three models of research for studying plain language, each emphasizing a different part of the triangle: readers, writers, and texts.

This thesis explores the efficacy of think-aloud protocols (TOLs), and the extent to which the TOL technique is able to reveal the nature of ESL reading interaction with expository prose. The investigation constituted a critical evaluation of current ESL TOL research, which was essentially a theoretical examination of emerging problems derived from an in-depth assessment of current ESL TOL studies. The theoretical examination was supplemented by the practical implementation of the technique in a case study research, utilising three verbal protocols obtained from ESL students at the University of Fort Hare. The close observation afforded by the evaluative case study research paradigm provided the writer - as participant observer - with a further means of judging the merit of TOLs, which corroborated findings from the theoretical evaluation, and enabled a consideration of unanticipated issues which emerged from the practical implementation of the technique. The conclusion was that TOLs seem to have a unique ability to identify aspects of the nature of ESL reading gained from an on-line assessment of reader interaction, provided that TOL research is conducted within certain methodological and analytic research constraints. The writer has proffered suggestions for future ESL TOL research, and feels that the combination of TOL research findings with other measures of reading comprehension could elucidate aspects of ESL comprehension, making a valuable contribution to ESL reading theory and practice.

M. Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Reading is a complex activity which is of the utmost importance for successful progress in mainstream education, but which is seldom fully understood by professionals in the field of education. It is also an ability which is often problematic for children to master. The purpose with this study was to gain a better understanding of the reading process and to explore the reasons why some children fail to learn to read effectively. The research was based upon the following research questions: what constitutes beginning reading; how these problems manifest in the reading behaviour of the child with reading problems; and how the child with reading problems describes his knowledge about reading. The first aim of the study was to establish what the nature of reading is, how it develops in beginning readers (in the junior primary phase) and what the possible causes of reading problems are. This was achieved by an analysis of reviewed literature, emphasising the child as a system whereby his inner world is in interaction with the world around him. The additional aim was to conduct a qualitative analysis was undertaken in which the reading actions of two eight year old readers were presented and analyzed by means of a protocol analysis. The data of the two early readers were compared and the following categories of their reading actions identified: the mechanics of reading. construction of meaning and metareading knowledge. It was argued that these categories are interrelated in the sense that the one influences the other to such an extent that they cannot be separated for purposes of teaching reading skills. The mechanics of reading seems to be the foundation of meaning construction as it was apparent that the readers could not answer the comprehension questions when they were unable to recognise the words. This promotes a "back to basics" approach of teaching reading. On the other hand it also came to light that the readers could read certain words, but did not understand them due to the fact that they did not comprehend the context thereof and clearly had not constructed schema in the domain previously. The levels of functioning of the two readers were explained by using comparative matrices which indicated that they function on pre-conceptual and systematic conceptual levels, that is below the level that could be expected for their reading age group. Arguing from the findings of the research it was evident that teachers, as well as therapists concerned with reading remediation, probably address reading problems without fully understanding what the act of reading entails. Furthermore, school curricula which have the teaching of reading skills as objective could adopt a "back to basics" approach whereby phonics teaching and the accompanying emphasis on word recognition could be the point of departure. Thereafter comprehension and meta-reading aspects could be emphasised. It is, however, extremely important to keep in mind that each of these components of the teaching of reading, namely phonic recognition, word recognition, comprehension and meta-reading are not seen in isolation, but that the interaction of these aspects is understood and taught.

No description available.

This study examines a collaborative endeavor in which a Chapter One teacher and a researcher worked together to plan, conduct and reflect on a reading instruction designed to promote strategic reading. For eleven weeks, data were collected during conversations and reflective/planning sessions conducted by the teacher and the researcher and during instruction for a group of fourth- and fifth-grade students. Ethnographic methods such as participant observation, interviews, document collections and research journal writing were used as data collection techniques. Two methods of data analysis were used - discrepant case analysis (Erickson, 1986) and constant comparison method (Glaser and Strauss, 1967). The findings suggest that the teacher-researcher collaboration motivated changes in the teacher, the researcher and the students. That is, the collaborative work helped the teacher learn to use a process approach to teaching reading comprehension. It also helped students learn about the reading process and reading strategies. Finally, this study helped the researcher learn about ways to assist teachers in becoming more knowledgeable and reflective. / Ed. D.

M. S.

The study investigated the qualitative differences between the human figure drawings of average and poor readers with visual perceptual problems, and measured the effects of an experimental art program on the reading, drawing, and design copying abilities of poor readers. Comparison of pre-test scores on the Goodenough Drawing Test, the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test, and the reading section of the Metropolitan Achievement Test revealed significant differences between the average readers (N = 26) and the poor readers (N = 24). An analysis of specific errors on the Bender and Goodenough tests indicated certain items characteristically failed by the poor reader group. After implementation of the art program to a group of eleven poor readers, comparison of pre- and post-test scores of all groups on the three measures revealed only that the average readers scored significantly higher on the reading measure than either the experimental or poor reader control groups. The Goodenough adjusted post-test mean of the experimental group was numerically higher than the scores of the average or poor reader control groups, suggesting that the art program had positive effects on the human figure drawing abilities of the experimental group. / M. S.

I conducted 2 experiments to analyze the effects of a reading curriculum, Corrective Reading, which has a sequence that trains derived relations, on the emission of (a) derived relations defined as combinatorial entailment in Relational Frame Theory and (b) metaphors with first grade students. In Experiment 1, I compared the curriculum, which has the sequence to train derived relations to a well-known reading curriculum, RAZ Kids. RAZ Kids served as the content control. I used an experimental group design with a simultaneous treatment and a crossover feature. I selected 14 participants, who were matched then randomly assigned into 2 groups of 7. Both groups received matched instructional trials either in Corrective Reading or RAZ Kids condition, and each group was post-tested. Upon completion of the Post intervention 1 probes, each group was placed in an alternative condition, where Group 1 received the content control intervention, and Group 2 received instruction from the curriculum that has the sequence to train derived relations. Both groups increased in number of correct responses following the Corrective Reading intervention. Two kinds of analyses were done, small group and individual. In Experiment 2, I replicated Experiment I using a delayed multiple probe design across 2 first-grade dyads without a content control curriculum. I tested the effects of 5 lessons of the curriculum that has the sequence to train derived relations on the same dependent measures with an addition of implicit/explicit reading comprehension probes. The results showed that the curriculum sequence found within Corrective Reading was effective in increasing the number of correct derived relation responses, while also improving reading comprehension responses.

<p>The proposed Grounded Theory has been derived from how experienced teachers and their pupils, in four different teaching contexts, have used ’The Witting method’ to maximize literacy development among their pupils. The theory has been grounded through repeated comparisons and analysis of the empirical data. </p><p>The specific aim of the thesis is to conceptualize and generate a theory about what four teachers and their pupils (n=40, over the period of the research), in different contexts, and over a number of years, actually do when working with The Witting method. A wider goal is to apply the implications of the derived grounded theory to general and special education theory in helping to alleviate reading and writing difficulties and prevent pupils from failing.</p><p>The results show that the teachers have systematically strived to ensure each pupil’s reading and writing development and they do this through what is labeled ‘didactic arranging’. They also show an ability to adapt to situations, materials and spaces without losing their long-term aims. They are in charge of three competencies: ’me’, ’you’, and ’we’ - expressing this competence in documentation, by reflection and always in close collaboration with pupils and their families. The observed use of The Witting method would seem to enable a diagnostic mode of teaching as it contains tools that allow a teacher to follow each pupil’s reading and writing development. Teachers, pupils and the didactic procedures are shown to be in constant interaction. It was also found to be important that teachers believe that every pupil can learn. These teachers’ collective motto could be summed up as follows: never stop giving support and never stop assessing progress. </p>

The proposed Grounded Theory has been derived from how experienced teachers and their pupils, in four different teaching contexts, have used ’The Witting method’ to maximize literacy development among their pupils. The theory has been grounded through repeated comparisons and analysis of the empirical data. The specific aim of the thesis is to conceptualize and generate a theory about what four teachers and their pupils (n=40, over the period of the research), in different contexts, and over a number of years, actually do when working with The Witting method. A wider goal is to apply the implications of the derived grounded theory to general and special education theory in helping to alleviate reading and writing difficulties and prevent pupils from failing. The results show that the teachers have systematically strived to ensure each pupil’s reading and writing development and they do this through what is labeled ‘didactic arranging’. They also show an ability to adapt to situations, materials and spaces without losing their long-term aims. They are in charge of three competencies: ’me’, ’you’, and ’we’ - expressing this competence in documentation, by reflection and always in close collaboration with pupils and their families. The observed use of The Witting method would seem to enable a diagnostic mode of teaching as it contains tools that allow a teacher to follow each pupil’s reading and writing development. Teachers, pupils and the didactic procedures are shown to be in constant interaction. It was also found to be important that teachers believe that every pupil can learn. These teachers’ collective motto could be summed up as follows: never stop giving support and never stop assessing progress.