You will gain a foundation for college-level writing valuable for nearly any field. Students will learn how to read carefully, write effective arguments, understand the writing process, engage with others' ideas, cite accurately, and craft powerful prose.
Course Learning Objectives
• Summarize, analyze, question, and evaluate written and visual texts
• Argue and support a position
• Recognize audience and disciplinary expectations
• Identify and use the stages of the writing process
• Identify characteristics of effective prose
• Apply proper citation practices
• Discuss applying your writing knowledge to other writing occasions
To start our course, we will examine your own writing process and what it means to respond to the writing of others. We will also think about what academic writing means.
What's included
4 videos3 readings2 discussion prompts
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 37 minutes
I am a Writer•7 minutes
Responding to Others' Writing•11 minutes
What is Academic Writing?•10 minutes
Understanding Your Writing Process•9 minutes
3 readings•Total 25 minutes
I am a Writer Sample Feedback•10 minutes
A Note About Deadlines•10 minutes
Report a problem with the course•5 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
I am a Writer (Tell Your Story)•10 minutes
Share Your Quirks and Rituals•10 minutes
Critical Reading
Module 2•4 hours to complete
Module details
This week will concentrate on the skill of reading critically. Additionally, we will learn about the conventions of academic writing, including integrating evidence and schools of citation. Finally, you are encouraged to write your own critical review of "The Sweet Spot." This is an optional writing assignment, but it is a requirement to receive a honor's certificate.
This week, the central topic is visual images in academic writing. The goal is to practice interpreting and writing about images convincingly. Plus, Dr. Comer will help you think about what area of inquiry you would like to focus on in this course and what it means to write a draft. Finally, you will write your visual analysis and learn how to give meaningful feedback.
Based on the feedback of your colleagues improve your visual analysis. After you receive feedback on your final submission, submit a self-reflection quiz about your experience writing this project.
This week, various aspects of effective research will be discussed, such as creating an annotated bibliography, research strategies, and avoiding plagiarism. You will conduct research for your next project, a case study, contribute to an annotated bibliography, and submit your case study draft.
Spotlight Video_Scholarly and Popular Articles•9 minutes
Spotlight Video_Finding Articles•12 minutes
Avoiding Plagiarism•9 minutes
Intertextual Conversation•6 minutes
Case Study Writing Workshop•42 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
Research Tools•10 minutes
Annotated Bibliography How-To•10 minutes
Case Study Draft •10 minutes
Case Studies Resources•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Case Study Draft: Self-Assessment •30 minutes
10 discussion prompts•Total 100 minutes
Annotated Bibliography: Hobbies•10 minutes
Annotated Bibliography: Sports•10 minutes
Annotated Bibliography: Science•10 minutes
Annotated Bibliography: Economics•10 minutes
Annotated Bibliography: Lifestyle•10 minutes
Annotated Bibliography: Technology•10 minutes
Annotated Bibliography: Humanities•10 minutes
Annotated Bibliography: Other•10 minutes
Case Study Questions and Feedback•10 minutes
Looking For a Writing Workshop?•10 minutes
Writing Cohesively and Case Study Revision
Module 6•2 hours to complete
Module details
In preparation for improving your case study, Professor Comer will present strategies of writing more cohesively. After receiving your final feedback, please submit a self-reflection about this project.
What's included
3 videos3 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 27 minutes
Introductions•10 minutes
Conclusions•9 minutes
Paragraph Unity•8 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
Geoffrey Colvin, "What It Takes To Be Great"•10 minutes
Case Study Final •10 minutes
Case Study Sample Feedback•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Case Study Final: Self-Assessment •30 minutes
Case Study Self-Reflection•30 minutes
Project 3: Op-Ed
Module 7•3 hours to complete
Module details
This week, Professor Comer introduces the idea of public scholarship, how academic writing can be transformed for a broader public. Her guest, David Jarmul, will give an overview of how to write an op-ed. You will then have the opportunity to write your own.
Spotlight on Op-Eds with David Jarmul_part 1•17 minutes
Spotlight on Op-Eds with David Jarmul_part 2•17 minutes
Active and Passive Voice•6 minutes
Enhancing Sentence Style•8 minutes
Op-Ed Writing Workshop•43 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Op-Ed Draft Project •10 minutes
Resources for Writing Op-Eds•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Op-Ed Draft: Self-Assessment •30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Op-Ed Questions and Feedback•10 minutes
Looking For a Writing Workshop?•10 minutes
Crafting Powerful Prose and Op-Ed Revision
Module 8•2 hours to complete
Module details
This week Professor Comer will address the topic of concise writing; how to convey meaning with fewer words. Your task is to rewrite your op-ed.
What's included
2 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 18 minutes
Concise Writing_Reducing Redundancy and Making Words Matter•8 minutes
Concise Writing Part 2_Noticing Prepositional Phrases•10 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Op-Ed Final •10 minutes
Op-Ed Sample Feedback•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Op-Ed Final: Self-Assessment•30 minutes
Op-Ed Self-Reflection•30 minutes
Transferring Writing Practices, Skills, and Knowledge to New Contexts
Module 9•1 hour to complete
Module details
This final week is dedicated to how to move forward with your writing and apply the skills learned in this course to new contexts. Your final assignment is a self-reflection about your development as a writer over the last several weeks.
What's included
2 videos1 assignment
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 16 minutes
Writing Transfer•6 minutes
Special Topics_Creative Non-fiction•11 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Final Self-Reflection•30 minutes
Writing in the Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Sciences
Module 10•3 hours to complete
Module details
Additional videos that highlight differences in academic writing across disciplines.
What's included
17 videos1 reading
Show info about module content
17 videos•Total 157 minutes
Spotlight on the Humanities: Academic Writing•7 minutes
Spotlight on the Humanities: Writing Process•8 minutes
Spotlight on the Humanities: MLA Citations•13 minutes
Spotlight on the Humanities: Use of Visual Images•10 minutes
Special Topic in the Humanities: MLA Citation of Media and Internet Resources•16 minutes
Spotlight on the Humanities: Public Writing•8 minutes
Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: Academic Writing•7 minutes
Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: Writing Process•7 minutes
Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: CSE Citations•9 minutes
Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: Use of Visual Images•8 minutes
Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: Public Writing•6 minutes
Spotlight on the Social Sciences: Academic Writing•7 minutes
Spotlight on the Social Sciences: Writing Process•10 minutes
Spotlight on the Social Sciences: APA Citations•13 minutes
Spotlight on the Social Sciences: Use of Visual Images•9 minutes
Special Topics in the Social Sciences: Issues of Language Use•10 minutes
Spotlight on the Social Sciences: Public Writing•11 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Share your learning experience•10 minutes
Instructor
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Duke University has about 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students and a world-class faculty helping to expand the frontiers of knowledge. The university has a strong commitment to applying knowledge in service to society, both near its North Carolina campus and around the world.
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Learner reviews
4.6
1,303 reviews
5 stars
76.28%
4 stars
15.04%
3 stars
3.53%
2 stars
1.45%
1 star
3.68%
Showing 3 of 1303
J
JJ
4·
Reviewed on May 25, 2016
Areas of improvements:common mistakes made and how to overcome themsentence structure and vocabularylearning from prose to better refine writing style
J
JR
5·
Reviewed on Mar 7, 2017
Very helpful for writers and future career writers. Plus the professor is extremely down to earth. Was not expecting that and I forgive her for being a Duke fan. Go Tar Heels!!!! jk jk
D
DS
4·
Reviewed on Jun 25, 2020
A helpful course. It has helped me to improve myself. I learnt the audience's view points and what I need to do to make my audience engage. Thanks to the trainers.
Will I receive a transcript from Duke University for completing this course?
No. Completion of a Coursera course does not earn you academic credit from Duke; therefore, Duke is not able to provide you with a university transcript. However, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
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What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.