The workshop method of teaching a college literature course has proved an effective means of stimulating independent student work, promoting teacher-student conferences, and providing for peer criticism. Discussions of both some specific principles of literary criticism and the historical background of the period to be studied introduce the course, which continues with student reading assignments followed by a short assigned paper. Student-teacher conferences then focus on these papers while the next reading and writing assignments commence. During the subsequent workshop sessions, good and bad passages from various papers are read and criticized, giving students simultaneous discussions of the literary works and their treatments of it. Individual papers receive explicit comments, but no grades. The final grade is based on the five papers the student considers to be his best. Since good writing--thought organized to a purpose--is compatible with any discipline, this workshop method may be used to advantage in any academic department. (JM)