The discussions of 30 participants in a seminar on the present (mid-1980s) state of research in the English language arts are included in this document. Topics of discussions were as follows: (1) interrelating the processes of reading and writing; (2) texts with different structures and different content: implications for teaching comprehension and composition; (3) oral language: its relation to writing, reading, and response to literature; (4) studies of classroom practice, classroom interaction and instructional materials: what have we learned? what needs to be done? (5) developments in technology: implications for language and literature education; and (6) combining process and product orientations in English and reading. Concluding observations by seminar participants consider the conference in perspective and underline concerns to be remembered. The conclusion offers a new design for research and evaluation. (JK)