Abstract

Introduction to Academic Writing is a Canadian open educational resource designed to help first-year university students understand and navigate the principles and practices of academic writing in the age of Generative AI. Written by Dr. Nancy Bray, the textbook adopts a research-informed approach that emphasizes writing as a human, social, and rhetorical activity. The textbook is organized into five major sections, introducing students to the purpose of human writing, the writing process, academic writing conventions, working with sources, and key rhetorical strategies. Special attention is given to responsible and ethical uses of Generative AI, the development of rhetorical strategies, and the adaptation of writing for disciplinary contexts. This resource is suitable for students writing at the university level for the first time.