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.
Offered By
English Composition I
Duke University
About this Course
156,720 recent views
Learner Career Outcomes
25%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Skills you will gain
Essay WritingEnglish LanguageAcademic WritingEditing
Learner Career Outcomes
25%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
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Flexible deadlines
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Beginner Level
Approx. 33 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1 hour to complete
The 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.
1 hour to complete
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
5 hours to complete
Critical 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 hours to complete
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
5 hours to complete
Project 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.
5 hours to complete
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
3 hours to complete
Revision 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.
3 hours to complete
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
Reviews
4.6
TOP REVIEWS FROM ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
by SCNov 4, 2019
I wish it still had the intervention of the University or at least some of the Professors that have participated in it. But overall a great course with a lot of useful information and examples
by JRMar 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
by AADec 14, 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
by LBJun 20, 2018
Helpful, informative, and engaging! I've always been at the top of my classes in English, but this is helping me sharpen my skills even more and apply them to my life.
by JJMay 25, 2016
Areas of improvements:\n\ncommon mistakes made and how to overcome them\n\nsentence structure and vocabulary\n\nlearning from prose to better refine writing style
by PBMar 31, 2018
Hard work and worth it! Grateful for the opportunity. Fully recommend it for anyone who is serious about learning to write clearly and improve their prose.
by VPMar 19, 2020
This course is very valuable in understanding the nuances of writing. The peer-graded assignments are a wonderful way of improving oneself.
by IQNov 12, 2017
It was an amazing experience to improve my wrinting skills in English. I feel grateful to learn as much as I did in this course. Thanks!
by SMAug 29, 2019
The Proffessor is self aware in a manor that promotes me to allow myself to look at my timeline and look back at my path. Great Class.
by SBMar 27, 2018
This is a great course for people who want to truly improve their writing skills.. Dr. Comer is smart, practical, and very plugged in!
by RSJan 27, 2017
One of the best course for learners who want coaching as well as practical work in academic writing. Very interesting and engaging!!
by HHDec 14, 2017
If I could give a review 10 stars out of 5, I would! This course was amazing, and I definitely would recommend it
by MMFeb 1, 2017
Dr. Comer is an excellent presenter. She makes you feel welcome and positive about each module. Thank you.
by STAug 17, 2019
I really liked it, I never wrote an analysis, or an op-ed before this course. So it helped me a lot.
by KUJul 13, 2019
The course was really useful for me. It enhanced my reading and writing skills as well as editing.
by MAFeb 21, 2020
It is an excellent course for beginners, who want to polish their English writing skills.
by VJMay 20, 2019
Good course with peer reviewed assessment, one can gain more from online learning.
by XJFeb 20, 2020
very helpful if you follow all the instructions and your colleagues' suggestions.
by ASJan 2, 2020
Not as easy as I thought it would be. But well organised and highly informative.
by ARApr 6, 2019
This course is a marvelous and resourceful tool to improve writing skills! :)
Offered by
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.
