The functional writing model is a method by which students learn to devise and organize a written argument. Salient features of functional writing include the organizing idea (a component that logically unifies a paragraph or sequence of paragraphs), the reader's frame of reference, forecasting (prediction of the sequence by which the organizing idea will be developed), and continuous forecasting (revelation of the direction or line of reasoning in an argument). Since the functional writing model is highly adaptable and enables technical/professional writers to compose faster and better, it can be used to good effect as a teaching technique by writing teachers who collaborate with technical skills teachers in such disciplines as architecture, psychology, history, business, and engineering. Student writing models that demonstrate the functional writing strategy are provided. (RL)