Introduction


Purpose of this book 50 steps to improving your academic writing is primarily intended for students who are new to or inexperienced in academic writing. It has been designed with one specific aim in mind: to provide the user with the skills and knowledge to write an essay in the context of university systems.


Principally, the book is a self-study book which students can use themselves in order to develop their skills. However, it may also be used in the classroom by teachers of English for Academic Purposes as part of a wider course.


Structure of the book


50 steps has ten units of five steps each. Each unit is based on a different aspect of academic writing. Details of these units, alongside a general overview of the topics which they cover, are presented below.


• Unit A. Understanding academic convention Providing an overview of the key characteristics of academic writing.


• Unit B. Researching your essay Analyzing the best strategies for gathering and recording background information.


• Unit C. Preparing to write Focusing on what you need to do before you embark on your essay.


• Unit D. Organizing your text Looking at the key principles of text and essay organization in academic English.


• Unit E. Making your writing more ‘academic’ Highlighting key aspects of good academic style.


• Unit F. Developing your writing style Helping you make your writing sound more professional and appropriate.


• Unit G. Using functional language in your writing Presenting useful examples of language for specific functional purposes.


• Unit H. Enriching your vocabulary Extending your understanding of key academic vocabulary.


• Unit I. Improving your grammar Focusing on areas of grammar common in academic writing.


• Unit J. Finalizing your writing Making your essay as good as it can possibly be.


Structure of each step Each of the 50 steps has the same six parts, which are as follows:


• A. Reflection: Evaluation of your existing understanding of the topic through targeted questions.


• B. Contextualization: Demonstration of the importance and relevance of the topic through presentation of the learning point in context.


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