"Academic Writing: A handbook for international students" by Bailey (2006) Book critique

Chaves M. J., Ovejero K.

CAECE University

          In the book "Academic Writing: A handbook for international students" by S. Bailey (2006), the reader is presented with a useful handbook that helps and teaches readers develop an essay from scratch. It is an accessible, easy reading book which offers international students of English who have to write exams or coursework in English, a practical guide of the writing process, do not leaving any important ingredient aside as when writing time is regarded.

          This ambitious manual is divided into four main sections: 1) the writing process, 2) elements of writing, 3) accuracy in writing and 4) writing models. Each of them is subdivided into small units of study, developing every topic concerned in each area. Every unit of study is introduced with a short explanation followed by exercises that help the reader understand what the author implies by means of practice. Every single topic developed in isolation is followed by an activity in which the reader will be able to put into practice what he has just read and experienced. Clearly, it presents both teachers and students plenty of opportunities to easily find the extra help and practice on different writing activities. Indeed, as Bailey (2006) plainly states it “any international student wishing to maximize his or her academic potential will find this practical and easy-to-use guide to writing in English a truly indispensable resource” (p. 2)

          Moreover, this easy to follow and adaptable academic writing manual focuses on explaining the whole writing process from understanding the title to proof-reading, covering referencing and paraphrasing techniques and including several tasks related to accuracy in writing. At the end of the handbook, four writing practice tests and all the book activity answers are available for its users so both classroom work and self-study are possible. 

          However, more theoretical background and support should be provided so as to enrich the reader with several tools that latter on can be applied to different situations and cases of study. Explanations are merely short and at times it is hard to understand what the author is referring to in case the practice is not present. Anyway, the wide variety of activities included throughout the book is highly appreciated and enjoyed in the process. 

          All in all, "Academic Writing: A handbook for international students" is a practical manual which leads students towards becoming proficient academic writers by granting the essential tools that international learners of English require to be able to produce valuable pieces of academic writing. Nevertheless, it would be necessary to eventually include more theoretical explanations to enrich the offered practice instances. 

Reference

Bailey, S. (2006). Academic Writing: A handbook for international students (2nd ed). Retrieved from http://npu.edu.ua/!e-book/book/djvu/A/iif_kgpm_t27.pdf