The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of corrective feedback on second language (L2) composition from both theoretical and practical perspectives. While it has been claimed that corrective feedback on L2 composition should be provided to student writers to prevent their errors from becoming fossilized, it has also been claimed that corrective feedback on L2 composition is useless because student writers make the same mistakes repeatedly even when they are corrected. Before we conclude that corrective feedback is wholly ineffective, however, a close reexamination seems warranted. This paper will approach the issue of corrective feedback on L2 composition from the perspectives of both those in favor of and those against it. By clarifying various issues, this paper seeks to provide educators with a better understanding of L2 composition teaching and learning.