Significant findings in recent research concentrate on how writing is taught in school and how it might best be taught. Research on writing over the past fifteen years has shifted emphasis from product to process. The writing process can be divided into three stages: prewriting, writing, and rewriting. Prewriting (everything that takes place before the first draft) includes choosing a topic, an audience and a form, as well as reading, talking, freewriting, and thinking about a topic. The production of the first draft involves everything the writer does from the time first words are put on paper until all drafts are completed. Positive teacher attitude is a most important influence at this stage. The revision process covers simple editing to substantially reformulating whole texts, and can occur before, during, and after composing a draft. Student conferences with teachers and peers are a good means of encouraging revision and making students feel less threatened by it. (A summary of research observations is included). (EL)