A study examined the effects of a "pen pal" letter writing exchange on undergraduate college students and second grade children. Subjects, 23 second graders, completed a letter writing attitude survey, and then (after receiving an explanation of what a pen pal is) exchanged letters with the undergraduates over a l5-week period. Results demonstrated that second graders could and did participate successfully in a letter writing exchange. The most significant result, from the teacher's point of view, was that by the end of the project, all the children were correctly using the friendly letter form (heading, greeting, body, closing, signature), acquired in a natural way by modeling their own letters on the ones they received. On the pretest the majority of the children indicated they felt positive about receiving letters but felt unsure or negative about their ability to write letters. On the posttest, however, all responded positively regarding writing and receiving letters and expressed confidence in their own writing abilities. Findings showed that the children always had something to say in every letter, and that they even solicited help with their school work from their older pen pals. A peripheral benefit for reading was noted--each child read his or her letter carefully and usually read it aloud to a friend. (A list of refernces is appended.) (NKA)