Independent Learning Centre

This nine-part writing handbook covers a wide range of topics about academic writing such as the progressive stages in writing, discipline-specific writing, and the respective language features. Through understanding the rhetorical situation, which refers to the writer, reader, message, and context, the book guides you how to select and present information with appropriate language in academic writing.

Highlights include managing academic writing (Part I: 4), disciplines and documentation styles (Part III), subordination and coordination (Part V: 29), and conciseness (Part VI: 35).

The introductory chapter delineates the “Read Write Think” in academic writing, enlightening readers by explicating the processes before writing – reading and thinking. The book orientates itself towards students from all disciplines by using discipline-specific essay questions to elaborate various writing skills in nine chapters. In addition to reading skills and writing skills, the book helps you build academic vocabulary and improve language.

Highlights include the introduction about integrating reading, thinking, and writing (Ch. 1), writing skill foci, and trouble spots in writing (sub-sections throughout Ch. 2 to 10).

Focusing on engineering and technical sciences, the book primarily aims to guide you how to write major text types in sciences with step-by-step instructions including writing checklists. Common grammar mistakes and inappropriate words and phrases in writing are also highlighted.

Highlights include writing summaries and abstracts (pp. 31), writing a lab report (pp. 39), writing proposals and project reports (pp. 46), and following conventions for graphics and formatting (pp. 122).

Targeting at university students, the guide book, which is separated into two parts, offers advice and suggestions on making effective presentations. The first part explicates three variables that determine the presentation strategy in the preparation stage while the second part explains the implementation of the presentation strategy with visuals and non-verbal as well as verbal communication skills.

Highlights include writing and using the presentation objective (pp. 30-36), making your message memorable (pp. 38-47), thinking visually as you design (pp. 100-112), and analysing your non-verbal style (pp. 120-129).

Featuring the process of preparing and delivering posters and presentations in the academic context, the book provides you with guidance on effective communication of ideas, oral communication skills, and how to interpret feedback from the audience. With the aid of abundant tables and graphics, you will be shown the key stages of a presentation, polishing your presentation skills through exercises and self-reflection.

Highlights include essential tools for success (pp. 22-30), getting strategic about presentations (pp. 69-76), and a slide checklist (pp. 102-109).

The book not only covers formal presentations by professional engineers, but also applies to in-class presentations, thesis or dissertation defenses, and conference presentations, hence a recommended resource for university students as well. Through understanding the versatile rubrics for rating presentations, you will learn how to plan, design, optimise, deliver, and reflect on presentations in different settings. Each chapter ends with a summary and exercises.

Highlights include designing the introduction, main body, and conclusion (pp. 30-36), English usage (pp. 67-75), and presentation delivery (pp. 119-126).

全書分為八章，作者雖以研究生畢業論文為討論對象，惟部分建議實適用於一般學術論文的寫作。比如第二章說明如何選擇論文題目（頁13 - 24），以及第四章探討如何開始下筆寫作（頁35 - 48），當中提出的意見對本科生亦有參考意義。又如第五章講論準備初稿時（頁50 - 62），作者對學術語言的要求有清晰的介紹，而在第七章論述修訂文稿的流程後（頁78 - 90），則提出十七點注意事項。讀者如能細讀，當能提高寫作學術論文的能力。

本書共分十四章，作者的討論對象同樣是研究生畢業論文，但不少意見仍具有普遍意義。其中第三章對論文的閱讀對象、章節長度、寫作策略與進度，以及撰寫順序等均有詳盡說明（頁43 - 58），適合任何從事學術寫作的人作參考。而第七章至第十一章則依次講解緒論、文獻回顧、研究方法、資料分析與結論的寫作要點（頁109 - 188）， 扼要地展現撰作論文的整個過程。讀者如能按自身所需稍加斟酌，自能掌握學術寫作的要領。

全書共分為十一章，作者討論的重點雖為商業簡報，但總結出來的多項原則，對如何作學術報告亦有參考價值。例如第三章提出的建立標題、選取關鍵字及標示要點等簡報技巧（頁51 - 73），即在準備學術報告時亦為不可忽視的細節。至於第九章（頁175 - 200），則說明正式報告前的準備工作以至臨場的注意事項，由講者的肢體語言，到場地的佈置，均曾提出具體建議。讀者如掌握相關技巧，自能從容應對各種學術報告的場合。

本書共分七章，作者並未針對特定類型的報告立論，而是從演說的本質出發，探討如何以最簡單、直接的方式作有效的演講。其中第二章主要講解演講的準備過程（頁29 - 59），對如何了解聽眾、構思內容及設計投影片等問題都有詳細的說明。而第五章則介紹如何通過調整說話節奏等方法（頁135 - 159），保持聽眾的注意力，以助演講者能與聽眾建立緊密的聯繫。讀者如能細閱全書，於報告時當能更具自信。