Theory has been used widely in the field of second language writing. Second language writing specialists-teachers researchers and administrators-have yet to have an open and sustained conversation about what theory is how it works and more important how to practice theory. PRACTICING THEORY IN SECOND LANGUAGE WRITING features fourteen essays by distinguished scholars in second language writing who explore various aspects of theoretical work that goes on in the field. The key issues addressed in PRACTICING THEORY IN SECOND LANGUAGE WRITING include the nature of theory in second language writing and the role theory plays in second language writing research instruction and administration; the possibility and desirability of developing a comprehensive theory or theories of second language writing; applications of theory including the advantages disadvantages and limitations of adapting theories from other areas of inquiry to second language writing research instruction and assessment; theorizing and building theory including the ways in which second language writing teachers researchers and administrators develop theories of second language writing what a theory of second language writing might look like; the relationship between the conceptual work of theorizing and data-driven theory building; practicing theory including how second language writing teachers researchers and administrators might address theory; the practical issues of learning to work with theory; and the ways that theory informs instruction and administration as well as materials development. CONTRIBUTORS include Dwight Atkinson Diane Belcher A. Suresh Canagarajah Joan Carson Deborah Crusan Alister Cumming Doug Flahive Lynn M. Goldstein Linda Harklau John Hedgcock Alan Hirvela Ryuko Kubota Paul Kei Matsuda Lourdes Ortega Dudley W. Reynolds Tony Silva Christine Tardy Gwendolyn Williams and Wei Zhu.