Synthesizing twenty-five years of the most significant and influential findings of published research on second language writing in English, this volume promotes understanding and provides access to research developments in the field. Overall, it distinguishes the major contexts of English L2 learning in North America, synthesizes the research themes, issues, and findings that span these contexts, and interprets the methodological progression and substantive findings of this body of knowledge. Of particular interest is the extensive bibliography, which makes this volume an essential reference tool for libraries and serious writing professionals, both researchers and practitioners, both L1 and L2. This book is designed to help researchers become familiar with the most important research on this topic, to promote understanding of pedagogical needs of L2 writing students, and to introduce graduate students to L2 writing research findings.It is organized in three sections: Contexts for L2 Writing, covering research on L2 writers' in school settings, in community, workplace, and professional environments, and in respect to ideological issues; Instruction and Assessment, focusing on pedagogical and assessment issues within courses and institutions; and, Basic Research on Second Language Writing, reviewing basic empirical research on L2 writers, composing processes, and texts. "A Synthesis of Research on L2 Writing in English" is intended for L2 writing researchers world wide, L2 writing practitioners, graduate students in TESOL methods courses, L1 English writing professionals and practitioners, and graduate students in teacher education courses in literacy development, as well as writing centers serving the growing number of L2 writers using those services.