Secondary and postsecondary students can be taught writing skills using a step-by-step examination of a television news or documentary program that can be undertaken in a single class period. The procedure consists of a series of strategies to facilitate the instructional process, as follows: (1) as a warm-up mechanism, the teacher introduces the writing skill (i.e., information or persuasion) on an overhead projector; (2) students are allowed time for questions and comments; (3) the news segment is presented; (4) students produce an outline from the news stimulus; (5) outlines are then assessed for organization; (6) the outlines are collected to minimize any external influences; and (7) students produce a full length essay at the next class period, after receiving their outlines. Topics should include an introduction, adequate support, and argumentation. Provision should be made for revision, and both formal (e.g., progressive scales) and informal mechanisms can be used for evaluating these writing activities. Since the structure and content of television news and documentary presentations seem to mirror the practice of essay writing instruction, the incorporation of such programs may be a productive avenue of writing instruction. (NKA)