Academic writing

ESL/EFL writing instruction has traditionally been conducted within one or more of these approaches, though more often these days a combination of at least two of these are used.

1. Traditional approach: Product-driven approach, often prescriptive and based on the grammar-translation method
2. Genre approach: Different paragraph forms, leading to a whole essay
3. Process approach: Learning to approach writing as a process; writing based on a descriptive rather than prescriptive understanding of writing
4. Lexical approach
5. Writing across the curriculum: A combination of genre and process approaches that has students examine and learn from examples of the writing that is typical of their field

Typical issues dealt with in modern ESL/EFL writing classes include the following.

• Topic sentences
• Thesis statements
• Introductions
• Writing style in one's field
• Writing process
• Transitionals, a.k.a., connectors, discourse markers, connectives, conjunctions
• Paragraph forms
• Vocabulary issues, e.g., collocations, prepositions, phrasal verbs
• Grammar issues, e.g., articles, prepositions

Pages about these topics will be added over time.

See also: Academic writing resources.