‘Oh please, no!’ is the reaction many teachers might
have when they are asked – or told – to teach writing skills at an advanced
level. And often advanced learners also look on the writing element with
trepidation. Advanced Writing Skills aims to provide teachers with a
thorough understanding of essential writing techniques, alongside practical
examples and explanations. In doing so, it demonstrates how teaching writing
can be a rewarding, engaging and illuminating experience for both teachers and
learners.
Throughout the book, Advanced Writing Skills illustrates
the fundamental tools-of-the-trade – and many “tricks-of-the-trade” – needed to
upgrade students’ writing, providing workable ideas for teachers to present and
practice the various techniques and stratagems analysed. Particular attention
is devoted to teaching essential writing techniques such as paragraph formats,
formulation of ideas, successful introductions and conclusions, text coherence
and reference. At the same time, pertinent language aspects including hedging,
highlighting and paraphrasing are examined in detail. And some of the
“shrewder” devices, such as hooks and reverse hooks are also put under the
microscope.
Aimed at advanced teaching contexts, including higher
education, exam preparation and advanced writing courses, the range of ideas
and practical examples can help make that vital difference in preparing for both
exams and wider communication. It’s not just what students write about, it’s
very much how they write it, and this book provides the teaching resources to
ensure students’ writing has maximum effect.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction to Advanced Writing Skills
Chapter 2: The Direct Paragraph and the Topic Sentence
Chapter 3: The Pivotal Paragraph
Chapter 4: The Climactic and the Comparative Paragraph
Chapter 5: Further Paragraph Patterns
Chapter 6: Coherence
Chapter 7: Using Sources
Chapter 8: Stand-alone Paragraphs, Essays, Reports and
More
Chapter 9: Ideas and Planning
Chapter 10: The Introduction and the Conclusion
Chapter 11: The Body, Signalling and Hooks
Chapter 12: Hedging and Highlighting
Chapter 13: Elements of Sentence Construction
Chapter 14: Designing and Teaching Advanced Writing
Courses
Chapter 15: Completing the Puzzle
Appendix
Bibliography
