Mastery Learning, a learning strategy which denies the inevitability of the normal grading curve, holds promise in skill-building courses. For a composition course using this strategy, course objectives must first be established and stated behaviorally, after which the course may be broken into learning units, each lasting perhaps two weeks. At the end of a two-week instruction period, students take a formative or diagnostic test--one of the defining features of Mastery Learning. Students not passing the test are directed to another defining feature, corrective learning experiences. Unit subjects may be divided into such units as manuscript matters, content, and the mechanics of writing. This strategy recognizes the potential of students as being unlimited and introduces system, measurement, and self-evaluation into education. (JM)