Independent Learning Centre

The book provides comprehensive guidance on how to plan and write an academic essay. Beginning with an overview of academic essays, Chapters 2 to 4 guide you how to effectively review literature, which helps develop your arguments. Chapters 5 to 7 delineate the main language features in academic writing. Chapters 8 and 11 explain how to write introductions and conclusions while Chapters 9 and 10 focus on body paragraphs. You will also learn how to distinguish a strong essay from a weak one in the final chapter.

Highlights include “Critical thinking” (Ch. 2), “How others’ work can help you develop your arguments” (Ch. 4), and “Different body paragraph structures” (Ch. 10).

This quadruple book aims to help research students enhance their writing as well as research skills. Not only does the book offer practical advice on conducting research, it also teaches you how to scholarly present the results in writing that conforms to citation styles. You will also learn how to write a research proposal and a research review in a step-by-step manner. Reflection exercises throughout the book will help you refine your writing and research strategies.

Highlights include “Writing processes” (pp. 17-38), “Writing a research proposal” (pp. 55-72), and “Writing a review of research” (pp. 159-176).

Recognising that there is not a single standard for correctness in writing, the authors emphasise writers’ choices – making choices following the writing conventions. Organised in eight sections, the writing handbook covers writing processes and genres, language, grammar, writing style, punctuation, and citation styles. Targeting at university students, the book will guide you to tackle writing problems that vex you.

Highlights include “Writing in academic genres” (Ch. 10), “Evaluating sources and taking notes” (Ch. 14), “Conciseness” (Ch. 32), and Parallelism (Ch.33).

Targeting at research students, this concise guide describes the essential steps that preparing an academic presentation needs – planning, organising, and delivering the presentation. Chapter 4 provides practical advice on making formal oral presentations while Chapter 5 focuses on poster presentations. Comedic yet inspiring cartoons and quotes throughout the book help consolidate your knowledge. The six useful appendices will certainly facilitate your presentation preparation.

Highlights include “Preparing your slides” (pp. 28-33), “Mastering the mechanics of an effective oral presentation” (pp. 36-41), and “Quick reference guide for making a poster presentation” (pp. 71-72).

This communication handbook contains chapters related to academic speaking, orientating itself towards engineering students and professionals. Chapters 1 to 2 help you plan your presentation and understand the audience. Chapter 11 describes the text types in the research community. Chapters 22 and 25 explain how to write appropriate headings and improve the word choice whereas Chapters 28 to 30 are dedicated to the use of visual aids. You will learn tips on designing slides and presenting posters in Chapters 33 and 34.

Highlights include “Reporting in a research community” (Ch. 11), “Graphs” (Ch. 28), “Presentation slides” (Ch. 33), and “Posters” (Ch. 34).

This book vividly illustrates the process of turning a written paper into an oral presentation, covering both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Part 1 guides you how to select appropriate content while Part 2 raises your awareness towards different audience expectations. Part 3 teaches you how to design the slides in a step-by-step manner. Part 4 describes the essentials on the stage, including using body language and dealing with questions from the audience.

Highlights include “Scientific audience expectations” (Ch. 4), “Slide design” (Ch. 6), “The grabbing voice” (Ch. 9), and “The answerable scientist” (Ch. 10).

全書共計十五章，作者從與指導老師的互動說起，一直談至敘寫附錄與參考文獻，完整地介紹論文寫作的各個階段與注意事項。比如第十章「如何撰寫文獻探討」（頁197 - 228），即詳述文獻探討的目的、過程及常見錯誤，幫助讀者掌握文獻探討的整理方法。另外，作者在第一章「論文寫作的管理」和第八章「如何撰寫研究計劃」，先後提及論文口試程序（頁15 - 26）與常見問題（頁178 - 180），讀者閱後自當對論文答辯之情況有所了解。

本書所舉論文例子雖偏重理科，然作者談及的論文寫作技巧，則適用於其他學科。比如第四章「研究題材構思理念」（頁50 - 65），作者從問題導向與方法導向兩方面，詳細介紹尋找研究題材的方法，並指出如何將議題整合、擴展，以構思出有價值之研究。又如第五章「研究題材構思方法」（頁68 - 87），作者具體談論擬定論文題目的有效方法，從如何產生靈感，到如何擴大、聚焦研究範圍，均有詳盡說明，頗能引發讀者思考。

本書雖有副題「文科適用」，唯除論文格式以外，作者所論實無學科界限。比如第二章「研究主題的選擇」（頁19 - 40），作者強調選擇研究主題時，一方面應考慮自我興趣、能力、規模等問題，另一方面則要顧及與主修學科、研究目的之關係，便是頗切實的提醒。他如第四章「資料的蒐集」（頁60 - 91），作者提出多種在圖書館及互聯網尋找所需資料的實用技巧，並建議多向專家請教，亦有助讀者擬訂合適之論文題目。

本書雖以商務溝通為主題，唯作者所提出的說話技巧，實有適用於學術演講之處。比如第二章「有助於博得他人好感的說話技巧」（頁 48 - 71），作者建議說話者須了解對方的想法，留意自己的態度、表情，以至應透過眼神接觸傳情達意，都是值得掌握之實用技巧。次如第五章「動搖他人的說話技巧」（頁 132 - 144），作者歸納出「說明七步驟」及「陳述三原則」等簡易法則，讀者如能據之檢視個人的學術演講內容，亦當有所裨益。