Demystifying Academic Writing: Genres, Moves, Skills, and Strategies

This book is a comprehensive guide to academic writing, covering key genres, rhetorical moves, and linguistic resources. It provides practical tips and self-assessment tools for building a successful career in academic writing and scholarly publishing, suitable for both non-native and native English speakers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book is a valuable resource for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as early career scholars, who are looking to enhance their writing skills for academic purposes. Written by Dr. Fang, a prominent expert in the field, the book provides a comprehensive and practical guide to academic writing.

In the first chapter, Dr. Fang introduces the key genres of academic writing, including research papers, essays, and dissertations. He explains the common rhetorical moves associated with each genre and highlights the essential skills needed to write effectively in these contexts. The author also discusses the linguistic resources and strategies that can be used to perform these moves and skills, such as vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.

One of the unique features of this book is its functional linguistic approach to academic writing. Dr. Fang emphasizes that writing is not just about producing grammatically correct sentences but about designing meaning through language choices. He encourages readers to think critically about the language they use and to position language choices as the central focus of their writing. This approach enables readers to present information, develop arguments, embed perspectives, engage audiences, and structure text across genres and disciplines in a more creative and effective way.

The book covers a wide range of academic writing genres, including reading responses, book reviews, literature reviews, argumentative essays, empirical research articles, grant proposals, and more. Each chapter includes practical exercises, authentic writing examples, and reflective questions to help readers apply the concepts discussed in the text. Additionally, the author provides self-assessment tools for writers and tips for empowering writers to develop their skills and confidence.

Whether you are a non-native English speaker or a native English speaker, this book is an ideal resource for courses in academic writing, rhetoric and composition, and language/literacy education. It is informative, insightful, and accessible, and it will help you develop the writing skills you need to succeed in your academic and professional career.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 157 x 231 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367653545