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
English Composition I
Offered By
Duke University
About this Course
4.6
311 ratings
Skills you will gain
Essay WritingEnglish LanguageAcademic WritingEditing
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
1The Writing Process
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.
4 videos (Total 37 min), 2 readings
4 videos
Responding to Others' Writing11m
What is Academic Writing?9m
Understanding Your Writing Process8m
2 readings
I am a Writer Sample Feedback10m
A Note About Deadlines10m
Week
2Critical Reading
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.
5 videos (Total 93 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
Integrating Evidence15m
Moving from Discussion to Draft7m
Schools of Citation5m
Critical Review Writing Workshop50m
4 readings
Daniel Coyle, "The Sweet Spot"10m
Academic Writing Resources10m
Critical Review Examples10m
Critical Review: Sample Feedback10m
Week
3Project 1: Visual Analysis
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.
9 videos (Total 87 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
9 videos
What is a Draft?2m
Reading Visual Images7m
Using Images in Scholarly Writing4m
Effective Claims4m
Responding Towards Revision4m
Feedback on Visual Analysis Draft2m
Workshopping Writing6m
Visual Analysis Writing Workshop50m
4 readings
Geoffrey Colvin, "What It Takes To Be Great"10m
Sample Essays for Project 110m
More Resources for Visual Analysis10m
Sample Feedback Visual Analysis Draft10m
Week
4Revision Strategies and Visual Analysis Revision
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.
4 videos (Total 24 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
4 videos
Strategies for Revision8m
Crafting Effective Titles5m
Editing Strategies7m
1 reading
Sample Feedback Visual Analysis Final10m
1 practice exercise
Visual Analysis Self-Reflection8m
4.6
85 ReviewsTop Reviews
By JR•Mar 8th 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
By AA•Dec 15th 2017
I very excited to get this certificate and improved my knowledge writing and skills to get better understand for create a fiction with rules that I learned in Duke University
Instructor
Dr. Denise Comer
Assistant Professor of the Practice; Director of First-Year WritingThompson Writing Program
About Duke University
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
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. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
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.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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