This course of study presents a competency-based approach to teaching effective writing. It is intended to give the adult educator a tool that can be used for any level of student at any point in writing instruction. The first section contains 48 competencies that address 5 domains of writing--planning, organizing, writing, evaluating, and revising (POWER). The skills are subdivided into 10 levels, from readiness through 12th grade. The course of study section correlates the indicators of each competency with learning activities, resources, evaluation criteria, and remediation. The next section provides testing procedures. It outlines and explains pre- and post-testing and provides evaluation instruments and scoring guides. Appendixes comprise over one-half of the book. Appendix A contains assignments, activities, exercises, handouts for exercises and activities, and suggestions for the teacher. Appendix B includes an index to the activities in Appendix A, bibliographies of student and professional resources, a list of diagnostic/prescriptive evaluation instruments, a list of publishers, criteria for selecting lab personnel and facilities, and suggested audiovisual equipment. Appendix C provides materials on referral procedures. Other attachments include related information (informational material for the teacher), eight modules on writing, and materials for training teachers to use all of these materials. (YLB)