In a freshman English class that aims at improving the students' general writing ability, reading activities and materials should be used only to the extent that they directly contribute to writing development. The following criteria can be used to select and evaluate reading materials for a writing class: (1) stimulating quality; (2) relevance; (3) length; and (4) comprehensibility. The final criterion should be the specific interests, needs, attitudes, and motivations of the students themselves. (RS)