Methodological model of teaching academic writing to undergraduate students is presented and explained in this paper which intends to re-emphasize the role of academic writing at the beginning of university studies in Russian universities. The paper suggests an overall methodological framework for developing undergrads’ writing skills and competencies and offers some practical suggestions on its implementation. The proposed model of teaching academic writing has been piloted throughout the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course for the 1st year students of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences at St Petersburg State University and the pilot study outcomes are reported and discussed in this paper. This article is aimed at university faculty who help undergraduates improve their academic writing for further education. The target readership includes EAP and academic writing teachers, academic writing tutors and all those who see pedagogic value in academic writing as a university course.