College composition instructors need special knowledge and skills in teaching black students. After pointing out the difference between black dialect and standard English, teachers need to discuss with students the practical reasons for using standard English in writing. To avoid being arbitrary or patronizing during this discussion, instructors must understand the implications of several current models for the standard English-black dialect relationship--the cognitive deficit, culturally deprived, and bidialectical theories. They must also be concerned with their approach and the course content. In addition to providing strong classroom leadership and working on individual writing problems, instructors must encourage students' pride in their work by setting high standards. For further ideas and strategies, instructors can consult a number of source books, including: G. Smitherman's "Talkin and Testifyin: The Language of Black Dialect America," J.L. Dillard's "Lexicon of Black English," and P. Stoller's "Black American English." (MM)