Objects assembled in nonrepresentational fashion from tinker toy pieces are the starting point for a technical description writing assignment designed to increase the students' awareness of audience while at the same time giving them practice in description, analysis, and active judgment. Having been separated into two groups, each facing a different tinker toy creation, the students produce a technical description of the object. The two groups then exchange descriptions. Next each student attempts to reconstruct the object from a description written by a student in the other group and then writes a critique of the student's work. The drawing and critique are next returned to the writer of the description who is given the opportunity to rebut the critique. All three pieces of paper form a package that the teacher comments upon as a second audience but does not grade. Students respond favorably to this exercise, becoming less egocentric and more ready to face the problems of audience-centered writing. (JL)