| 100% | PENCIL | 6 | Wood and graphite to write with |
| 48% | TEAK | 4 | Wood that is used to build ships and furniture (rhymes with "weak) |
| 45% | STY | 3 | Pen impossible to write with |
| 44% | CUNEIFORM | 9 | Writing with wedges and such |
| 43% | REDINK | 6 | What to write write-offs with |
| 42% | LEFTHAND | 8 | Non-southpaws may find it hard to write with this |
| 41% | SLATE | 5 | Something to write on with chalk |
| 40% | POSTCARD | 8 | Photograph to write on and mail when traveling |
| 40% | DROP | 4 | With 2-Down, write to somebody |
| 40% | FURNISH | 7 | To decorate with tables and chairs |
| 39% | PENCIL | 6 | Writing implement that's filled with graphite |
| 39% | JOANDIDION | 10 | She writes with “computer lyricism,” according to Elizabeth Hardwick |
| 39% | ALDER | 5 | Wood used to smoke salmon and bacon |
| 39% | PENS | 4 | Writing utensils with ballpoint and fountain varieties |
| 39% | PROOFREAD | 9 | To find and correct errors in writing |
| 39% | LITERATE | 8 | Able to read and write |
| 39% | LITERACY | 8 | Ability to read and write |
| 39% | ILLITERATE | 10 | Unable to read and write |
| 38% | JOHN | 4 | Write to him to break up with someone |
| 38% | PEN | 3 | Writing utensil with "fountain" and "felt-tip" varieties |
| 38% | PEN | 3 | Writing instrument with felt-tip and fountain types |
| 38% | STYLUS | 6 | Writing implement used with touchscreens and electronic devices |
| 38% | CHECKLIST | 9 | Written tasks to be completed and marked off |
| 38% | FLUCTUATE | 9 | To rise and fall with no regular pattern |
| 38% | SEW | 3 | To stitch something with a needle and thread |
| 38% | LITERACY | 8 | The ability to read and write |
| 38% | EAT | 3 | ... and what to do with them |
| 38% | TEAK | 4 | Wood that is used to build ships and furniture |
| 38% | EBONY | 5 | Wood used to make chess pieces and pool cues |
| 38% | THEHANDYMANYOUR | 15 | With 49- and 55-Across, response to 20-Across |