Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

A high school SLP aims to enhance the writing skills of a struggling student. Which research-based method could be employed?

1. Sentence combining practice

2. Repeated copying of sentences

3. Decontextualized vocabulary instruction

4. Incidental exposure to authentic texts

The correct answer is: Sentence combining practice

Employing sentence combining practice is a research-based method that effectively enhances writing skills, particularly for students who are struggling. This technique encourages students to take shorter, simpler sentences and combine them into more complex structures. By doing so, students learn how to organize their thoughts and improve the fluency and coherence of their writing. This method also supports the understanding of syntactic structures and promotes creativity, as students become adept at manipulating sentence elements to convey their ideas more effectively. Research shows that this practice not only improves writing quality but also boosts students' confidence in their writing abilities. Consequently, for a high school student needing support in writing, sentence combining practice would be a targeted and beneficial approach. In contrast, other methods such as repeated copying of sentences focus more on rote memorization rather than the development of writing skills. Decontextualized vocabulary instruction removes the richness of context, which can hinder a student’s ability to use new words effectively in their writing. Similarly, incidental exposure to authentic texts does not provide the structured practice needed to develop specific writing skills tailored to individual challenges.