An approach to using values clarification exercises in a college freshman composition or a high school English class is presented in this brief article. AUTHOR'S COMMENT (excerpt): Since the integration of writing and thinking is vital in the development of writing abilities, the values clarification experience is a natural bridge for students to receive exposure to both processes. THE ACTIVITY (excerpt): Students are presented with ten values (freedom, peace, sincerity, social success, faith, wealth, happiness, love, health, friendship) written on the blackboard, and are asked to rank order the ten elements. They then select a partner and in a limited amount of time they are required to formulate a composite ranking that both partners agree on. We then analyze the rankings. Each student is then required to complete a writing assignment. Within the essay format, students develop a personal definition for the term "value"; discuss how they determine whether a concept is of value to them; speculate about the origin of values by probing whether values are learned or biologically inherited; and examine how society transmits values through cultural, political, and religious institutions. The in-class discussion and the writing activity stimulate a definition and discussion of values as concepts with application to everyday life. (KC)