Abstract:
This presentation explores some possible uses of the vast array of materials available on the Internet for higher level writing classes. In the first part of the presentation, a range of useful World Web Web (WWW) sites for the teaching and learning of various essay writing skills will be highlighted. An evaluation of the suitability and effectiveness of these sites to the writing teacher will also be given. The second part of the presentation will stress on some classroom activities using data that are available from the USENET. The main advantage of using the USENET materials is that these electronic discussion groups provide data that involves authentic language use. The authenticity of both the data and the communication process provided by the USENET seem to encourage purposeful writing activities. Also, the unacademic style of the written communication via electronic mail requires students to experience a process of linguistic reconstruction and transformation before the data can be used for academic writing purposes. All these elements contribute to the development of the learners' writing skills.