The purpose of the study was to compare topic-based approach withrntask-based approach and determine the more effective one to teachrnwriting skills to first year preparatory students. Based on the purpose ofrnthe study, the following Null (Ho) hypothesis and Alternative (HI)rnhypothesis were made. The null hypothesis states that there is nornstatistically significant difference between topic-based and task-basedrnapproaches to teaching writing skills. On the other hand, the alternativernhypothesis states that there is statistically significant difference betweenrnthem.rnIn order to see the difference between the two approaches and determinernthe more effective one in teaching writing skills to Ethiopian students,rnthe following steps were undertaken. Firstly, 74 students were randomlyrnselected as the subjects of the study. Secondly, the subjects wererngrouped into control and experimental. Finally, they were taught forrnthree months through the two approaches.rnAfter the researcher taught the two groups, a post-writing test wasrnprepared and administered to them. Then in order to test thernhypotheses, the mean writing scores of the two groups were compared.rnThe result of the finding showed that the mean writing score of thernexperimenta l group students was higher than that of the control group.rnThe result was also statistically a nalysed.rnDepending upon the finding, it was concluded that task-based languagernteaching approach is more effective than topic-based approach inrnteaching writing skills to Ethiopian students. Based on the finding, validrnrecommendations were forwarded.