Prewriting exercises such as outlines, successive drafts, or free writing are not helpful to students from oral cultures who are unfamiliar with the writing process. Speaking as a rehearsal technique for writing can help nontraditional students formulate and organize ideas before starting the first draft. Speaking as a rehearsal for writing emphasizes social involvement and the sharing of ideas and feedback, and eliminates the stigma of writing as a lonely activity. This six-step technique gradually moves students from speaking to writing. Step one involves talking out or brainstorming thoughts and ideas the topic arouses in the student. These ideas are retrievable by tape recording them or using a partner. In step two, the student determines which aspects of the topic will most interest the audience, and focuses on a thesis statement. Step three involves recording key ideas and discussing supporting points, which results in a rough outline. Presenting the outline orally to a class for feedback on content and organization is an optional fourth step. The student writes the first draft in step five. In step six, the student reads the composed draft aloud, and listens to the composition for organizational and editing flaws. Thus, speaking can be used as an editing technique as well. This approach illuminates composition as a process, boosts the nontraditional student's self-esteem, and underscores the concept of audience. (HTH)