This paper cites descriptions, by professional writers, of two stages in the composing process that appear to correspond with the two modes of mental activity separately controlled by the hemispheres of the brain. The stage of writing a first draft involves unconscious, personal, irrational, intuitive writing which may be called "writing for the left hand," since it involves the type of mental activity controlled by the right hemisphere of the brain. The stage of revising the first draft involves conscious, impersonal, rational, and intellectual writing, or "writing for the right hand." The author notes that most of the writing that students in public schools engage in, as confirmed by recent research, is writing for the right hand, and that, although this is an important type of writing, we should try to engage students in more expressive and poetic writing activities. The author urges teachers not to compare the work of one pupil with that of another; to give praise, not criticism; to stress the process of writing; and to encourage writing from the heart. The paper offers guidelines for getting students started writing and concludes with prewriting, writing, and rewriting activities for seven classroom assignments. (GW)