Brainstorming: A software program that helps students brainstorm for ideas during the beginning stage of the writing process.

Co: Writer: A software program that, as students type, predicts the intended word by offering a list of possible correct choices. Students may then insert their choice.

Cut and Paste Functions: A word processing function which allows the writer to highlight, select, and copy text, and either place it in another area of the document, or remove it entirely from the work.

Distancing Effect: A condition which is caused by a feeling of alienation in students when they see their work on a computer screen. As a consequence, students become less effective in making revisions.

Drafting: The stage of the writing process in which students begin composing thoughts into a cohesive text.

Editing: The stage of the writing process in which students examine their papers for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Grammar Slammer: A grammar checking program that uses grammar- based activities to teach writing skills through sentence and grammar checks.

Inspiration: A software program designed to create flow charts and content maps that can be used in prewriting to help students organize their ideas on a certain topic.

Invention Strategies: One of three categories of prewriting strategies, invention strategies help students generate ideas and information for future writing. Through drawing, brainstorming, gathering background knowledge, and recording observations, students can begin to identify and relate information to use in their writing.

KidPix: A software program that facilitates writing and is useful during prewriting; it is designed to develop creativity and idea generation through the drawing of pictures.

KidWorks2: A software program that facilitates writing and is useful during prewriting; it is designed to develop creativity and idea generation through the drawing of pictures.

Move: A word processing function which allows the writer to use the mouse to highlight and move text, from one part of a document to another.

My Words: A grammar software program designed to alleviate spelling problems by allowing writers to create an individualized word bank which contains words they have difficulty spelling.

Neatness Effect: A condition which occurs when a word processed and printed paperís neat appearance creates the illusion in the writer that no revisions are necessary.

Organization strategies: One of three categories of prewriting strategies, organization strategies help students group thoughts into a logical, readable sequence of ideas. Organization strategies include crafting story boards, creating webs and diagrams, and making outlines.

ParaMind: A software program designed to help students brainstorm ideas for writing and other projects by recording thoughts and ideas on the computer.

Prewriting: A set of strategies that help students generate and organize thoughts before drafting their compositions. These strategies include invention strategies, refinement strategies, and organization strategies.

Recursive writing process: Reoccurring process in which students may enter phases, making changes in text at different times, during the writing process of a particular text.

Refinement Strategies: One of three categories of prewriting strategies, refinement strategies are designed to help students refine and focus a large number of ideas into one or two that may be used for writing. In this phase students are encouraged to delete ideas that may stray too far from the desired focus.

Revising: The stage in the writing process, in which emphasis is placed on creating changes while examining the paper for style and content.

Word Web: A software program that generates content maps which may be integrated with most word processing programs.

Word Works: A spell and grammar checking program designed specifically for students. The program may be integrated with ìWordî programs.

Write This Way: A word processing program in which a speech synthesizer is integrated with a spell and grammar checker.