Developmental writing students pose particular problems for composition instruction because of their pragmatic orientation and because they come from and live in an oral, nonliterate culture. The writing instructor must create writing situations that make real-world demands and bring about real-world consequences, and assign topics that students can clearly see as contributing to their education. Writing situations in the developmental writing classroom must work toward these goals: (1) engage students in general or abstract thinking and the logical organization of ideas; (2) encourage students to pursue new knowledge; and (3) focus students' attention on writing as language, so that they see their writing from the editor's point of view. Realistic writing situations can be established in the classroom by means of an in-class magazine to which all students are required to contribute articles and editorial services. Compensation for publication is grade points for articles selected by student editorial boards. Teacher-selected topics should be contemporary social issues and should be problematic, with both sides defensible. Supplementary reading assignments will ensure a common body of knowledge. This magazine method allows students to deal closely with their writing and with that of others, and to experience the complete writing process, focusing attention on editing skills and providing students with a purpose for writing. Furthermore, it allows students to construct and examine opinions on important social issues, thus contributing to their general education. (HTH)