Getting Started with Essay Writing
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Getting Started with Essay Writing
This course is part of Academic English: Writing Specialization
Instructors: Tamy Chapman
267,818 already enrolled
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3,287 reviews
3,287 reviews
What you'll learn
Master effective thesis statement creation for academic essays.
Develop skills to plan and write compare/contrast, cause/effect, and argument essays.
Construct well-developed body paragraphs with clear supporting evidence.
Enhance critical thinking and editing skills for stronger academic papers.
Details to know
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There are 5 modules in this course
This course, 'Getting Started with Essay Writing,' is designed for students and professionals aiming to enhance their English academic writing skills, particularly those preparing for college-level studies. It provides a low-risk starting point to gain clarity and confidence in essay writing.
By the end of this course, you will be able to: - Create effective thesis statements for various essay types. - Plan and write well-structured compare/contrast, cause/effect, and argument essays. - Develop strong, well-supported body paragraphs. - Apply critical thinking and editing techniques to refine your academic papers. To succeed, learners should have intermediate English language proficiency and foundational writing skills. No specific software tools are required, as the course focuses on core writing principles and strategies.
Welcome to 'Getting Started with Essay Writing,' the second course in your Academic English: Writing specialization! Building on your foundational knowledge of sentence types and punctuation, this module will show you how to apply those skills to craft compelling academic essays. You'll learn to write three key essay types: compare/contrast, cause/effect, and argument. By the end, you will be able to: integrate prior learning into complex writing tasks, understand the structure of academic essays, and prepare for course assessments. To succeed, review previous course material and actively engage with the writing assignments. Enjoy your learning journey!
What's included
2 videos1 reading1 assignment
2 videosβ’Total 5 minutes
- Course Introduction Videoβ’1 minute
- Academic Integrity Video Lectureβ’4 minutes
1 readingβ’Total 2 minutes
- Message about Opinionsβ’2 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 15 minutes
- Introductionsβ’15 minutes
Welcome to a module, where we'll dive into the fundamentals of academic essay writing! Here, you'll explore essential essay structure and key writing tools that form the backbone of strong academic papers. By the end of this module, you will be able to: identify core essay components, understand the purpose of each section, and begin outlining your own essays. To succeed, take detailed notes and actively practice applying these foundational writing principles. This module sets the stage for all your future essay writing, building confidence for your academic journey.
What's included
6 videos8 readings3 assignments
6 videosβ’Total 51 minutes
- What is an Essay? Video Lectureβ’10 minutes
- Introduction Paragraphs Video Lectureβ’13 minutes
- Body Paragraphs Video Lectureβ’9 minutes
- Paragraph Basics Video Lectureβ’11 minutes
- Conclusion Paragraphs Video Lectureβ’4 minutes
- The Writing Process Video Lectureβ’5 minutes
8 readingsβ’Total 40 minutes
- Learning Objectivesβ’2 minutes
- Learning Objectivesβ’2 minutes
- Thesis Statement Practiceβ’10 minutes
- Learning Objectivesβ’2 minutes
- Learning Objectivesβ’2 minutes
- Topic Sentences Practiceβ’10 minutes
- Learning Objectivesβ’2 minutes
- Sample Essayβ’10 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 75 minutes
- Essay Writing Practice Quiz β’30 minutes
- Academic Essay Discussionβ’15 minutes
- Essay Writingβ’30 minutes
Get ready to write your first academic essay: the compare/contrast essay! In this module, you'll learn to effectively analyze and present similarities and differences between subjects. By the end, you will be able to: define compare/contrast essays, structure your arguments logically, and write a well-developed compare/contrast essay. To succeed, pay close attention to organizational patterns and practice identifying key points for comparison. This skill is vital for critical thinking and clear communication in both academic and professional settings.
What's included
3 videos6 readings4 assignments
3 videosβ’Total 12 minutes
- Introduction to Writing Compare/Contrast Essaysβ’1 minute
- Compare/Contrast Essay Video Lectureβ’6 minutes
- Teacher Discusses a Compare/Contrast Essayβ’5 minutes
6 readingsβ’Total 52 minutes
- Learning Objectivesβ’2 minutes
- Compare/Contrast Practiceβ’10 minutes
- Compare/Contrast Writing Assignmentβ’10 minutes
- Sample Compare/Contrast Essayβ’10 minutes
- Links to Other Resourcesβ’10 minutes
- Quiz Instructionsβ’10 minutes
4 assignmentsβ’Total 135 minutes
- Compare/Contrast Essay Discussionβ’15 minutes
- Compare/Contrast Essays Practice Quiz β’30 minutes
- Compare/Contrast Essay Submission and Reviewβ’60 minutes
- Writing Compare/Contrast Essaysβ’30 minutes
In this module, you'll master writing the cause/effect essay, a crucial academic skill often required in college classes. You'll learn to analyze relationships between events, articulate reasons, and explain outcomes effectively. By the end, you will be able to: identify cause/effect relationships, structure a clear cause/effect essay, and develop compelling arguments. To succeed, focus on logical connections and practice outlining your ideas. This module builds on your foundational essay writing skills, preparing you for complex academic tasks.
What's included
3 videos7 readings4 assignments
3 videosβ’Total 12 minutes
- Introduction to Writing Cause/Effect Essaysβ’0 minutes
- Cause/Effect Video Lectureβ’7 minutes
- Teacher Discusses a Cause/Effect Essayβ’5 minutes
7 readingsβ’Total 62 minutes
- Learning Objectivesβ’2 minutes
- Cause/Effect Practiceβ’10 minutes
- Cause/Effect Writing Assignmentβ’10 minutes
- Sample Cause/Effect Essayβ’10 minutes
- Links to Other Resourcesβ’10 minutes
- Quiz Instructionsβ’10 minutes
- Learn More!β’10 minutes
4 assignmentsβ’Total 140 minutes
- Cause/Effect Essay Discussionβ’20 minutes
- Cause/Effect Essays Practice Quiz β’30 minutes
- Cause/Effect Essay Submission and Reviewβ’60 minutes
- Writing Cause/Effect Essaysβ’30 minutes
In this final module, you'll master the argument essay, arguably the most impactful type of academic writing. You'll learn to construct compelling arguments, support your position with strong evidence, and persuade your reader on controversial topics. By the end, you will be able to: identify effective argumentative strategies, structure a persuasive argument essay, and articulate your viewpoint clearly. To succeed, focus on critical thinking and developing robust supporting reasons. This module culminates your essay writing journey, equipping you with advanced skills for academic and professional discourse.
What's included
3 videos7 readings4 assignments
3 videosβ’Total 13 minutes
- Introduction to Writing Argument Essaysβ’1 minute
- Argument Essays Video Lectureβ’8 minutes
- Teacher Discusses an Argument Essayβ’5 minutes
7 readingsβ’Total 62 minutes
- Learning Objectivesβ’2 minutes
- Debatable vs Non-Debatableβ’10 minutes
- Argument Practiceβ’10 minutes
- Argument Writing Assignmentβ’10 minutes
- Sample Argument Essayβ’10 minutes
- Links to Other Resourcesβ’10 minutes
- Quiz Instructionsβ’10 minutes
4 assignmentsβ’Total 105 minutes
- Argument Essay Practice Quizβ’30 minutes
- Argument Essay Discussionβ’15 minutes
- Argument Essay Submission and Reviewβ’30 minutes
- Argument Essaysβ’30 minutes
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Reviewed on Feb 25, 2017
Course material was good. But, I was hoping the essay corrections and feedback will be given by experienced teachers/instructors, was disappointed at this as it was given by the fellow students!
Reviewed on May 18, 2020
This was really helpful as English is not my first language and I have never had thought of any systemic way of writing essays but now I can write essays properly and much more confidently
Reviewed on May 3, 2020
It is a very good course on Essay Writing. Since it started with the basics, it helped me a lot to start from level zero. It was extremely helpful to go ahead with the future course in Writing.
Frequently asked questions
You'll learn how to plan and write clear academic essays in English, especially around strong thesis statements and organized paragraphs. It starts with essay structure and the writing process, then moves into common formats such as compare/contrast, cause/effect, and argument essays. For example, you'll practice improving weak thesis statements and revising paragraphs so your ideas are clearer and better supported.
Yes, some English writing background matters. The course works best if you already have intermediate English proficiency and basic writing skills, because it moves into thesis statements, paragraph structure, and full essays rather than teaching English from the ground up. You won't need any special software, since the focus is on writing strategies and practice.
It is, if you're new to college-level essay writing but not new to English altogether. The course walks through introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions step by step, so it can feel approachable even if essay writing still feels unfamiliar. If you're still building basic English writing skills, though, it may feel a little fast.
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