Examines the invitations and speech situations implicit in lyric poetry that often alienate students with little poetry experience. Presents five conditions English teachers can provide that will make poetry more accessible to students, particularly the invention needed to accept the "invitation" of a poem. (HTH)

The specific communication tasks required of "middle level" or vocational-technical employees are reviewed. Guidelines for planning a technical communication course to meet those tasks are recommended. (HTH)

Cautions against overemphasizing poor mechanics and overlooking content in writing classes as an overreaction to the problem of deteriorating writing skills. (MKM)