The problem of college students' writing skills or lack thereof is generally agreed upon in academia. One cause is the inordinate amount of multiple choice/true false/fill in the blank type of tests that students take in high school and college. Not only is there is a dearth of actual classes in writing available, few students recognize the need to improve their writing, nor are inclined to invest the time, effort, and energy to do so. While computer spell and grammar checks only minimally improve writing quality, computer programs such as Aztec, Writer's Options, and others can help improve writing. There is, however, a lack of consensus among educators about the importance of writing and about the steps needed to enhance writing or the awareness of writing as a crucial skill. Instructors may find assistance in helping students learn to write in writing clinics on the World Wide Web. (CR)