Crossword Genius

Character of composition briefly requires pens (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

styluses

'pens' is the definition.
(a stylus is a writing implement)

'character of composition briefly requires' is the wordplay.
'character of composition' becomes 'style' (eg the style of a musical composition).
'briefly' means to remove the last letter.
'requires' becomes 'uses' (eg a car uses or requires petrol).
'style' with its final letter taken off is 'styl'.
'styl'+'uses'='STYLUSES'

(Another definition for styluses that I've seen is " Phonograph needles".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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