What is the value of connecting reading and writing

The study of reading-writing connections involves appreciating how reading and writing work together as tools for information storage and retrieval, discovery and logical thought, communication, and self-indulgence. There are numerous benefits that can be accrued from connecting reading and writing. Thus far, for example, the research data have substantiated that (1) depending upon the measures employed to assess overall reading and writing achievement and attitude, the general corrfaation between reading and writing is moderate and fluctuates by age, instructional history, and other factors; (2) selected reading experiences definitely contributed to writing performance, just as selected writing experiences contribute to reading performance; (3) writers acquire certain values and behaviors from reading, while readers acquire certain values and behaviors from writing; and (4) successful writers integrate reading into their writing expe-ience, and successful readers integrate writing into their reading experience. Commentaries on this paper by Bonnie B. Alexander and Alan Purves accompany the document. (HOD) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made