In the area of composition, computer assisted instruction (CAI) must move beyond the limited concerns of the current-traditional rhetoric to address the larger issues of writing, become process-centered, and involve active writing rather than answering multiple-choice questions. Researchers cite four major types of interactive CAI, the last of which addresses higher-order concerns: (1) drill and practice programs, (2) tutorial programs, (3) text-editor programs, and (4) dialog systems. The CAI dialog programs can offer advantages for teaching rhetorical invention, specifically in the generating stage of the composing process, that the other three cannot. Both systematic and unsystematic writing heuristic activities can be programed for CAI. Two such invention programs are QUEST and FREE. One of the advantages of computer assisted invention strategies is that the programs can be individual, generative, and encouraging. The heuristic can also address specific rhetorical problems. Finally, the computer encourages students to spend time prewriting, an important activity that many poor writers ignore completely. While there is a lack of commercially prepared software packages dealing with rhetorical invention, a number of CAI invention programs written by writing teachers are being exchanged among campuses across the country. (Information for obtaining the QUEST and FREE programs, and a select bibliography on computers and composition are included.) (HTH)