At the University of Florida, writing laboratory classes follow a structured, independent curriculum designed to help students write effective paragraphs and edit their own writing. The four periods in the biweekly block of instruction are devoted to instruction in writing techniques and sentence skills, revision, mastery tests, and individual writing conferences discussing independent work on sentence skills. Besides work on common sentence errors, usage, dialect problems, punctuation, and spelling, students work with instructors on a series of structured modules that isolate skills such as writing controlling ideas, using transitions, and providing concrete support. Each module emphasizes the following seven prewriting and revision skills: (1) locating the information, (2) writing strong controlling ideas, (3) supporting ideas with specifics, (4) organizing the information, (5) writing a first draft, (6) revising for content and organization, and (7) revising for sentence correctness and clarity. A comparison of the pre- and posttest grammar exercises and writing samples of 78 students has indicated the benefits of this teaching strategy in improving students' basic writing skills. (RL)