Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students – Critique
In his useful but restricted handbook titled “Academic Writing: A handbook for international students” Bailey (2006) presents the basic writing skills international students of English should manage when working on the academic writing field. It aims to ensure their writings meet the English writing standards. Bailey has taught English for Academic Purposes at different universities and it is through this text that he desires to make academic writing an easier task for students.
Academic writing is generally a challenge for international students of English. Due to that reason, the author considers that this practical book “allows students of all subjects and levels, from foundation to PhD, to practise those aspects of writing which are most important for their studies” (Bailey, 2006, p. vii). In that sense, not only does the author explain the different types of writings and its elements, but also provide careful considerations writers must manage during pre-writing analysis, such as register, purpose, titles, outlines, and documentation of sources.
The book is divided into four parts: the writing process, elements of writing, accuracy in writing, and writing models. According to Bailey (2006), the writing process is divided into three steps which in the book are presented in three units. The first unit explains how to develop a piece of writing from the title to an outline. The second one presents the importance of pre-writing investigation and note taking. Last but not least, the last chapter gives the readers guidance in order to start writing: planning, organizing paragraphs, organizing the main body, the introduction and conclusion. Finally, there are also pictures and writing examples.
Although useful, it should be noted that teacher’s guidance will be an essential complement for high school or college students who follow Bailey’s (2006) explanations in their writing process. In other words, according to the level of English presented in the book, only advance students of English will be more likely to comprehend the process of writing without extra guidance. On the other hand, however, this handbook analyses the basic writing formats in English, such as letters, reports, articles, and essays, but not specific writing formats required in PhD courses where definite genres and English vocabulary for specific purposes are needed.
To sum up, Bailey’s (2006) handbook may have been practical if the intended audience had been reduced to either beginner students of English or PhD’s separately. Alternatively, particularly important could have been the fact that it presented more detailed explanations for beginner students and more specific genres for advance students.
References
- Bailey, S. (2006). Academic Writing: A handbook for international students (2nd ed.). Taylor & Francis e-library. Retrieved from http://npu.edu.ua/!e-book/book/djvu/A/iif_kgpm_t27.pdf
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario