Argumentative Writing in a Second Language

A collection on teaching argumentative writing, offering multiple vantage points drawn from the contributors’ own experiences. The volume distinguishes between ‘learning to argue’ and ‘arguing to learn’ theories and practices.

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Argumentative Writing in a Second Language is a collection on teaching argumentative writing, offering multiple vantage points drawn from the contributors' own experiences. The value of argumentative writing cannot be overstated and yet, very little attention is spent on training teachers how to teach it. Additionally, the term argumentative is often confused with "persuasive" and other terms that add to students' confusion as to what type of writing they are supposed to do. The volume distinguishes between "learning to argue" and "arguing to learn" theories and practices. 

Part I of the volume is discussion-oriented while Part II shares classroom-based research on practices that account for L2 writers' characteristics and specific needs. Included are chapters on online teacher resources, assessment of argumentative writing, specific challenges for Chinese writers, source-based writing, and approaches for learner autonomy.