# Option 1: # Use content to separate the helper from the spec it "should have something" do content = helper.some_helper_method content.should have_tag('a', :text => 'foo') end # Option 2: # Combine helper call and spec it "should have something" do helper.some_helper_method.should have_tag('a', :text => 'bar') end # Option 3: # Use subject context '#some_helper_method' do before :each do @params = 'foo' end subject { helper.some_helper_method(@params) } it { should have_tag 'a', :text => 'bar' } end