This booklet contains the Writing Framework for the 1998 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The Framework describes the basis for the 1998 Writing Assessment, the types of writing assessed, and the methods for scoring student responses. This Framework was developed during 1989-90 in preparation for the 1992 NAEP Writing Assessment. For the 1998 Assessment, the Framework was augmented by a set of Writing Assessment and Exercise specifications, developed during 1995-96. After an overview and introduction, chapters in the first part of the booklet are (1) Developing the 1998 NAEP Writing Framework; (2) Designing the 1998 NAEP Writing Assessment; and (3) Constructing and Scoring the Assessment. An appendix lists members of the Writing Framework panel. After an introduction and overview of the 1998 NAEP Writing Assessment, sections of the second part of the booklet present assessment specifications (specifications for content, technical concerns, review, administration, and scoring and reporting) and task specifications (format scoring rubric, reader training, and classroom writing component). Appendixes provide preliminary achievement level descriptions for grades 4, 8, and 12; a suggested process for rubric construction and general characteristics of writing by mode; and lists of committee members and project staff. (RS)