In this article, four second language writing specialists address the following significant questions related to foreign language (FL) writing instruction: (1) How is FL writing different from English as a second language writing? (2) How does the sociolin-guistic role of a given FL influence how writing is employed in the overall curriculum for that FL? (3) What role should writing play in the FL classroom? (4) What are possible purposes for students writing in FLs, especially in contexts where students' real-life needs for FL writing are not immediately obvious? Drawing on their varying backgrounds, the authors provide insights into these issues and pose directions for future research. (Contains 1 table.)