Noting that daytime television serials have been used to teach a variety of subjects, including writing and language skills, this paper reviews literature on the nature of soap operas so that instructors can use them more effectively. Following an introduction citing studies on the educational uses of soap operas, the paper explores the following components of these serials: the audiences and their reasons for viewing soap operas, the basic plot structures, general demographics of characters, female characters, black characters, elderly characters, relationships between characters, and the use of time. The paper concludes with a 7 page bibliography of books and articles dealing with soap operas and education. (HTH)