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September 18, 2016 1

Application Activity 3.4 Textbook Analysis and Comparison

For this activity I chose two textbooks to analyze and compare that are about Academic
Writing: A Practical guide for Students and ESL English as a Second Language Writing
Intermediate and Advanced books. I analyzed both books by examining each textbook sample,
taking notes and I recorded my observations onto a comparison table. Both books were very
informative and detailed about the writing process, grammar comprehension and so on. I think
both books are great to keep as references throughout the school year to help guide the students
writing.

Observation:
Textbook Composition Table
Textbook One

Textbook Two

Bibliographic entry
(author, date, title,
edition, publisher,
publication date)

Title: Academic Writing: A

Practical Guide for students
Author: Stephen Bailey
Date: 2003
Edition: Illustrated, reprint
Publisher: Psychology, Press
Publication date: 2004

Title: ESL English as a

Second Language Writing
Intermediate & Advanced
Author: Mary Ellen Munoz
Page
Date: 2007
Edition: Bilingual edition
Publisher: Research &
Education Association
Publication date: 2007

Primary audience (L1

writers, L2 writers,
combination)
Target institutional
setting (secondary,
community college,
college or university,
intensive English
program)
Writing/language
proficiency level (for
L1-basic, freshman
composition, advanced;

It is a combination of L1
writers and L2 writers.

It is a L2 writers.

The target institutional settings

are English-medium colleges
and universities.

The target institutional

settings are intermediate and
advanced high school- and
college-level.

English-medium writing
essays and other assignments
for exams or coursework.

ESL intermediate and

advanced grammar

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for L2-beginning,
intermediate, advanced)
Genre category or
categories (e.g.,
anthology or reader,
rhetorical manual,
combination)
Theoretical orientation
(s)

Sample composing
assignments

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The genre category is

anthology.

The genre has two

categories that are anthology
and rhetorical manual that is
a combination of both.

The theoretical orientation is a

guide to process of writing an
essay, organizing, has hands
on activities, organizing the
numerous sections of an essay,
discussing statistics, describing
charts, comprehensive key and
preparing exams.

The theoretical orientation is

a comprehensive guide that
serves as an ideal
supplement to textbooks,
language courses, and study
aids such as a test
preparation book. It is an
analysis of writing including
easy to follow grammar,
writing exercises,
discussion, glossary and a
complete key of answers.

A sample composing
assignments are in Chapter 1.
The Writing Process that is
under Background to Writing
Section in Bailey &
NetLibrary, (2003) book
emphasized,
Organization of texts.
a) Explain the following
terms in italic: Shorter
texts, e.g. essays, are
normally organized in
the form: Introduction
>Main Body >
Conclusion
b) Longer texts, e.g.
dissertations and
articles, may include
(depending on subject
area): Abstract >
Content >Introduction
> Main body > Case
Study > Discussion

A sample composing
assignment that is in
Chapter 3. Review of
difficult grammar
concepts under the
Dangling Participial
Modifiers in Munoz
Page, Gras, &
Jaskiewicz, (2011)
stated, Participial
phrases are ones that
begin with [verb +
ing] or [verb + ed]
and are not used as
subjects. When a
participial phrase
does not modify the
noun or pronoun that
usually follows it, it
is said to be dangling
or just hanging there
in the sentence and
not modifying the

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Chief strengths

Chief weaknesses

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>Findings >
Conclusion >
Acknowledgements >
Bibliography/Reference
> Appendices
c) Books may also
contain: Dedication >
foreword > Preface >
Index

subject of the main

clause. For example,
INCORRECT: Not
wanting to disturb
anyone, the shoes
were removed before
entering the room.
CORRECT: Not
wanting to disturb
anyone, Tony
removed his shoes
before entering the
room.

The book is useful as a

reference guide to writing. It is
very detailed and informative
about the stages of writing,
strategies, exercises, and
paraphrasing diagrams
Actually, after reviewing the
book it is informative and it
goes in depth into the stages of
writing with everything I have
to know to write a paper.

A great exercise book to

improve the student
grammar skills, especially if
Spanish is your native
language.
Although there is a large
amount of exercises and
explanations, I found the
variety of exercises to be a
bit deficient.

1. Does the book appear to reflect a single theoretical orientation or model of

composition, or does it reflect a combination of orientations? Refer to specific textual
features to just your viewpoint.
In both books of Academic Writing: A Practical Guide for students and ESL English as
a Second Language Writing Intermediate & Advanced it does reflect a combination of
orientations for the second-language methods and approaches. I think it has the
theoretical orientation of structural and linguistic that is involved with grammatical and
syntactic elements of L2 that is taught inductively in predetermined sequences. It does

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show cognitive that is based on theories of learning that applied specifically to second
language learning. The books focus on the learning strategies that are compatible with the
learners own style in the exercises. They both show the affective and interpersonal
theoretical orientation that emphasizes the interaction among and between teacher and
student by using this book.
In the book of Academic Writing: A Practical Guide for students the theoretical
orientation is a guide to process of writing an essay, organizing, has hands on activities,
organizing the numerous sections of an essay, discussing statistics, describing charts,
comprehensive key and preparing exams for the students. In the second book of ESL
English as a Second Language Writing Intermediate & Advanced, the theoretical
orientation is a comprehensive guide that serves as an ideal supplement to textbooks,
language courses, and study aids such as test preparation book. It is an analysis of writing
including easy to follow grammar, writing exercises, discussion, glossary and a complete
key answers.

2. To what degree does a particular orientation seem to dominate the books aims,
content, and design? Explain.

Both books emphasized that L2 content is selected according to concepts and techniques
that facilitate generalizations about the language, memorization and competence leading
to performance. The Academic Writing: A Practical Guide for students book is
designed for non-native speaking students who are taking college courses at English-

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speaking universities. Covering four general areas, the book takes a stimulating approach
to Academic Writing. Set within a rich structure and using easily understandable
language, the material is allocated into short, manageable sections covering reading, notetaking, summarizing and writing skills. The ESL English as a Second Language
Writing Intermediate & Advanced book is designed for intermediate and advanced high
school and college level non-native speakers of English who need to improve their ESL
(English as a Second Language) grammar skills. ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar
provides students with simple descriptions of grammar, skill-building exercises, detailed
answer keys, and test-taking techniques. It's the flawless companion for classroom use or
self-guided studies in ESL.

3. Provide examples of reading activities, practice tasks, and composing assignments that
exemplify specific theoretical views or biases.

ESL Intermediate/Advanced Grammar: Munoz Page, Gras, & Jaskiewicz, (2011):

Shifting is the unnecessary changing from one grammatical element to another other in a
sentence or paragraph. This problem occurs with pronouns, verb tenses, points of view,
mood, and active and passive voice. These errors distract readers, and writers must learn
to avoid them. For example: PRONOUN SHIFT involves using a singular pronoun to
replace a plural noun or vice-versa. INCORRECT: Everybody had their hats and coats
on and were ready to leave. CORRECT: Everybody had his/her hat and coat on and was
ready to leave.

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4. How do you think the books orientation and design match (or fail to match) the goals
of the institution (s) where the book is likely to be used?
Both books orientation and design match the goals of the institutions where the book is
likely to be used in the classrooms. I think the Academic writing book explains and
demonstrates all the key writing skills and is ideal for use in the classroom or for
independent study. The book of English as a Second Language Writing Intermediate &
Advanced has many opportunities by mastering English grammar with this easy to use
ESL book. It is an ideal enhancement to textbooks and language developments, and is the
perfect ESL workbook if you are studying for an English Language test, such as the
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

5. How do you think use of the book might influence the development of students
composing skills and instructors pedagogical practices?
Both books can influence the development of students composing skills and instructors
pedagogical practice. Students can benefit from these books to help them learn English
well and improve their writing. The books are great reference materials for ELLs students
that has great support for them and are organized around concepts, including the alphabet
and phonetic sounds, learning new vocabulary words, grammar rules, conversational
phrases, and writing structures. According to the Ferris and Hedgcock (2014) textbook,
he stated, proficiency in producing pedagogical genre and rhetorical functions the
teacher might initially introduce and define a rhetorical form, pattern, or mode, such as

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comparison and contrast, in terms of rather rigidly prescribed rules or formulae. Students
would then read one or more works of literature, which they would be directed to analyze
during class (p.63).

6. Considering the books intended audience and educational setting, evaluate its likely
effectiveness as a teaching and learning tool. What are its strengths and weaknesses?
How would you overcome its flaws?
The books intended audiences and educational setting are from college to universities.
The Academic Writing book has strong useful stages of writing such as different styles
and formats from CVs and letters to formal essays, a focus on accuracy, and coverage of
all stages of writing, from understanding titles to checking their work. It has essential
academic writing skills such as proper referencing, summarizing and paraphrasing the
paper. It has diagrams and practice exercises with complete answers. This book is a great
reference for guiding a students writing and making it better by learning the process of
writing. In the English as a Second Language Writing Intermediate & Advanced book
audience and educational setting are high school to universities and has grammar oriented
exercises with simple explanations that allow ESL students to master the concepts
through extensive practice. Students can study test taking techniques featuring strategies
for success on ESL tests. It has a comprehensive glossary, and preparation for students
taking the TOEFL exam. It is a great exercise book to improve the student grammar
skills, especially if Spanish is their native language. Although there is a large amount of
exercises and explanations, I found the variety of exercises to be a bit deficient.

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Reference
Bailey, S., & NetLibrary, I. (2003). Academic writing: A practical guide for students. England:
Nelson Thornes Ltd.
Ferris, D., & Hedgcock, J. (2014). Teaching L2 composition: Purpose, process, and practice
(Third ed.). New York: Routledge.
Munoz Page, M. E., Gras, S. M., & Jaskiewicz, M. (2011). ESL Intermediate/Advanced writing.
Newburyport: Research & Education Association.