Controlled composition--a method closely related to sentence combining--can be beneficial for college students whose writing is characterized by frequent errors and lack of fluency. Controlled composition consists of copying short, competently written compositions exactly except for certain stipulated changes. The assignments, which progress in complexity, require students first to make exact copies of the compositions; then to make such changes as rewriting plural constructions in the singular, present tense constructions in the past tense, and active voice passages in the passive; and finally to combine sentences through coordination or subordination. Instead of terminology and rules, models for the new sentences are provided as guides; errors are corrected by students, with teacher help as necessary, until the compositions are error-free. Similarities between controlled composition and sentence combining include their use of prewritten compositions or sentences, their assumption of students' underlying knowledge of grammar, their use of a minimum of technical terminology, and their tendency to lead to error reduction, improved writing, and improved student attitudes toward writing. Controlled composition can serve as an introduction to sentence combining for basic writing students, who are frequently confused by sentence combining and create error-prone free sentence combinations. (GT)