This report brings together the findings of the first phase of the Writing Effective Practice project. It includes two literature reviews, which will be of interest to teachers of adult literacy as well as to researchers and will provide a valuable resource for teacher trainers leading courses for new qualifications for Skills for Life teachers. Together with a review of current practice these reviews provide a picture of the current state of knowledge about the development of writing skills for adult learners and a strong basis for the second stage of the project.