The questions of if and how writing in a second language is the same as writing in the first were investigated in a review of the literature. After a review of research in first language (L1) composing since Emig's 1971 "composing aloud" study, research in second language (L2) composing is also examined. Studies on the relationship between L1 and L2 composing includes both children in bilingual programs and adult subjects. It is concluded that, given the current data in L1 and L2 composing processes, the question of similarity between the two cannot be answered with any certainty. In general, studies of child and adult composers show a high transfer of composing skills from the L1 into L2 composing. However, it is clear that research in the composing process of native English speakers writing in English is not always generalizable to non-native English-speaking writers. Contains 33 references. (LB)