Intended to help secondary school students prepare for the New York Board of Regents competency tests in writing, this manual will enable students to use writing for effective communication of their needs and enjoyment of the pleasure of permanent self-expression. The first portion of the manual provides several introductory lessons and writing activities that can serve as a framework for a writing curriculum integrating lessons in literature, the media, listening, and speech. The next section provides specific lessons for (1) the business letter, (2) the picture description, (3) the report, and (4) the persuasive essay. The third section provides guidelines for teacher evaluation, diagnosis and response, followed by a section of techniques for teaching conventions of writing. Appendixes contain training samples from the New York State Preliminary Competency Test in Writing, and a copy of the January 1979 Basic Competency Test in Writing Skills. A bibliography concludes the guide. (HTH)