This issue brings together a collection of papers by major researchers from various international institutions, who were invited to contribute papers on the latest ESP trends, particularly research into writing in academic settings. Most of the authors in this volume argue that there is a general lack of specific guidance to writers as to how to tackle the rhetorical conventions which allow them to meet the expectations of the members of the international scientific community; and all the authors without exception have in common as their prime concern offering assistance to novice writers, and especially non-native speakers of English, with the acquisition of the necessary rhetorical skills to produce successful academic writing in English.