Subseries consists of correspondence, applications, curriculum vitae, notes and clippings on Messenger's teaching career with the UBC English Department, including tributes given at his memorial service.

Subseries consists of game boards and draft game boards for three board games: "Cheat,"; "Hugger-Mugger," and an untitled geographic board game. The game boards are in oversize boxes.

The subseries consists of various records about the chronologies created for and included in Literature In English, including clippings and notes, revisions and an appendix.

Subseries consists of issues of the ComPost, the English Department's composition newsletter, which Messenger created and edited, including notes, distribution lists, memos and articles.

Subseries consists of notes, outlines, handouts, bibliographies, articles, tests and assignments of the different courses taught by Messenger in the English Department as an Instructor and Associate Professor.

Subseries consists of records that were used for or produced during the creation of Literature in English. These records include correspondence, revision, notes, reviews, designs, and various illustrations.

Subseries consists of notes, revisions, correspondence, reviews, marketing materials, and drafts about the Canadian Writer's Handbook (1st, 2nd and 3rd eds.).

Subseries consists of miscellaneous notes, correspondence and articles related to the English Department.

Subseries consists of records about creating various types of word games and puzzles. These records include original, copy and draft puzzles, notes, completed puzzles (not started by Messenger), and clippings.

Subseries consists of permission forms and permission tracking forms for various works that were published in Literature in English.

Subseries consists of records that were used for research during the creation of Literature In English. Each file within the subseries pertains to a particular writer or poet that was featured in the anthology.

Subseries consists of notes and clippings on various subjects included in the Canadian Writer's Handbook.

Subseries consists of records about Messenger's regular puzzle column Triple-Ploy, published in Western Living Magazine. These records include correspondence, completed puzzles and revisions.