Writing is a fundamental skill for students to develop. A learning environment should be in evidence which assists students to achieve more optimally in writing. Writing activities should be interesting, purposeful, meaningful, and provide for individual differences. Students need stimulating learning opportunities involving a variety of purposes or types of writing experiences. Diverse schools of thought in the teaching of writing include those which emphasize predetermined measurably stated objectives, decision making approaches, problem solving strategies, and subject centered approaches. (SR)