Teaching Evidence-Based Academic Writing: Resources and Lesson Plans for ESL Educators

This resource helps teachers prepare ESL students for the demands of academic writing that they will encounter in tertiary institutions when they undertake study in English. With over thirty ready-to-use but adaptable lesson plans, this book uses a scaffolded, sequenced approach to instruction so that students are able to progress through their development and practice of academic writing with each iterative lesson through the three distinct writing categories of planning, generating, and reviewing.

The book includes writing exercises for students to practice evidence-based writing and provide justification for their claims, along with examples and answers with explanations for teachers. The lessons themselves will cover a range of writing strategies, including critical reading and analysis, note-taking, organisational strategies, using academic language, critiquing and evaluating texts, constructing and organising an argument, brainstorming, and many more.

This is a practical text, perfect for tertiary and secondary-level teachers of EAL/ESL students, as well as educators working with students in bridging programs for first language speakers of English, tutors, and academic advisors.

Pat Strauss is Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. Her teaching and research interests include academic writing, student and teacher identity, language teacher education, and English for research and publication purposes.