Although the focus of this issue of the "Virginia English Bulletin" is on making effective assignments, most of the articles also emphasize the importance and power of writing. Articles deal with the following topics: (1) the use of I-search (as explained by Kenneth Macrorie in "Searching Writing") as a form of research paper that narrates the process of discovering information while explaining the information that is found (P. Parnell); (2) a young writers summer workshop that involved participants in an intensive five-phase writing program (M. Figgins, D. Butler, A. Seaman, and J. Strzepek); (3) the use of prewriting activities to develop sensory awareness and to strengthen the power of observation (B. R. Brite); (4) the use of nonverbal films to stimulate student writing (J. H. Nixon); (5) focus and closure in writing (W. Bell); (6) the use of journal writing to help students learn to express themselves (A. S. Hill); (7) techniques for paragraphing (C. C. Smith); (8) teaching methods for the composition research paper (M. Barr); (9) the use of an academic journal to increase student opportunities to engage in expressive writing (W. P. Self); (10) writing in response to counseling activities (P. Bizzaro and S. Werner); (11) the use of a scrapbook journal to stimulate writing themes (G. Smith); and (12) the importance of personal choice in writing topics (R. J. Murphy, Jr.) (HOD)