本套教材根据北京外国语大学英语学院多年来写作教学的经验和研究成果编写而成。教材遵循通过思维训练来学习写作的全新理念，打破了英语写作教学中纯粹学习语言和结构的传统模式，具有如下突出特点：
1.将创新思维策略与写前构思技巧结合，同时也将批判思维训练渗透到写作阶段，并重点在议论文中运用，为学习者挖掘写作题材、培养和开发创新能力、提高批判思维水平提供一个全新的体验空间；
目录

Contents
Syllabus VIII
Unit 1 Thesis Statement 1 I What a Thesis Statement Is 1
II What a Good Thesis Statement Is 3
1 Content 3
2 Form 4
III Strategies That Help to Shape Your Essay 5
1 Verbal Links 5
2 The Wheel 6
Unit 2 Modes of Development for a Thesis (1):
Cause and Effect 11
I Cause and Effect 11
Essay Assignment 13
II Problem/Solution Essay 14
1 How to Raise a Proper Problem 15
2 How to Find Solutions 16
Unit 3 Topic Sentence Paragraph 41
I Topic Sentence 41
II The Controlling Idea of a Topic Sentence 42
III The Structure of a Topic Sentence Paragraph 43
IV Function Paragraph 44
V Modes of Development for a Topic Sentence Paragraph 44
Unit 4 Introduction and Conclusion 52
I Elements of a Good Introduction 52
II Strategies for Effective Beginnings 53
III Conclusion 55
Unit 5 Modes of Development for a Thesis (2): Division and Classification, Definition 62
Essay Assignment 63
I Division and Classification 65
II Definition 80
Unit 6 Revising Techniques (1) 92
I Revising Modifiers 92
1 Misplaced Modifiers 92
2 Dangling Modifiers 93
II Revising Unclear Pronoun Reference 93
III Revising Wordiness 94
IV Revising Clichés 94
Unit 7 Modes of Development for a Thesis (3):
Comparison and Contrast 97
l Evaluation Essay 97
II Organizational Patterns for Evaluation 98
1 Point-by-Point Contrast 98
2 Block-by-Block Contrast 99
Unit 8 Revising Techniques (2) 113
I Sentence Variety 113
II Sentence Combining 114
III Transitions 116
1 Within Paragraphs 116
2 Between Paragraphs 117
Key to Exercises 122
Appendix I: Writing Process Strategies 139
Appendix II: Writing Checklist 140
Appendix III: Peer Evaluation 141
References 145