In this issue, the writers focus on the "basics" in English teaching, some offering suggestions on ways of altering present conditions, some commenting generally (in assessments, defenses, or attacks) cn the basics, and some presenting specific discussions of basics in teaching the various language arts components. A few of the articales and authors are: "'SCISAB' Spelled Backwards Is 'Basic'!" by Allan Dittmer, "The Emerging of New 'Basic Fundamentals' of English Media" by Nancy Cromer, "He Who Can Does--He Who Cannot Tests" by Joseph Mersano, "Relevance Is Out, Classics Are In" by Florence Miller, "The Indifferent Bell: A Short Diatribe Against Teaching the Basics" by G. Lynn Nelson, "Writing, Prisons, and the English Teacher" by Richard Koch, "The Little Car That Could" by Stephen Dunning, "Basic Backwardness" by Charles Weingartner, and "Humanities--Basic to Total Education" by Martha P. Brincklow. (JM)