Children's abilities in written composition have recently become a major concern, stimulated by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, by the earmarking of composing ability as a new class marker, and by increased competition in an overcrowded labor market. This bulletin has been designed to help close the gap between educational research and the classroom teaching of written composition. Topics discussed include research, children's language and composition, motivation, the interrelationship of literature and composition, evaluation, and research perspectives from the behavioral sciences. Authors are Alvina Treut Burrows, James Fleming, Sara Lundsteen, Eileen Tway, and Robert Calfee. Although the scope of the bulletin is kindergarten through junior high, with emphasis on the elementary level, discussions of important research above this level are included. (JM) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Program Description.