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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
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 5 minutes
Course Introduction Video•1 minute
Academic Integrity Video Lecture•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 2 minutes
Message about Opinions•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Introductions•15 minutes
Introduction to Essay Writing
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 51 minutes
What is an Essay? Video Lecture•10 minutes
Introduction Paragraphs Video Lecture•13 minutes
Body Paragraphs Video Lecture•9 minutes
Paragraph Basics Video Lecture•11 minutes
Conclusion Paragraphs Video Lecture•4 minutes
The Writing Process Video Lecture•5 minutes
8 readings•Total 40 minutes
Learning Objectives•2 minutes
Learning Objectives•2 minutes
Thesis Statement Practice•10 minutes
Learning Objectives•2 minutes
Learning Objectives•2 minutes
Topic Sentences Practice•10 minutes
Learning Objectives•2 minutes
Sample Essay•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 75 minutes
Essay Writing•30 minutes
Essay Writing Practice Quiz •30 minutes
Academic Essay Discussion•15 minutes
Writing Compare/Contrast Essays
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 12 minutes
Introduction to Writing Compare/Contrast Essays•1 minute
Compare/Contrast Essay Video Lecture•6 minutes
Teacher Discusses a Compare/Contrast Essay•5 minutes
6 readings•Total 52 minutes
Learning Objectives•2 minutes
Compare/Contrast Practice•10 minutes
Compare/Contrast Writing Assignment•10 minutes
Sample Compare/Contrast Essay•10 minutes
Links to Other Resources•10 minutes
Quiz Instructions•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 135 minutes
Writing Compare/Contrast Essays•30 minutes
Compare/Contrast Essay Discussion•15 minutes
Compare/Contrast Essays Practice Quiz •30 minutes
Compare/Contrast Essay Submission and Review•60 minutes
Writing Cause/Effect Essays
Module 4•4 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 12 minutes
Introduction to Writing Cause/Effect Essays•0 minutes
Cause/Effect Video Lecture•7 minutes
Teacher Discusses a Cause/Effect Essay•5 minutes
7 readings•Total 62 minutes
Learning Objectives•2 minutes
Cause/Effect Practice•10 minutes
Cause/Effect Writing Assignment•10 minutes
Sample Cause/Effect Essay•10 minutes
Links to Other Resources•10 minutes
Quiz Instructions•10 minutes
Learn More!•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 140 minutes
Writing Cause/Effect Essays•30 minutes
Cause/Effect Essay Discussion•20 minutes
Cause/Effect Essays Practice Quiz •30 minutes
Cause/Effect Essay Submission and Review•60 minutes
Writing Argument Essays
Module 5•3 hours to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 13 minutes
Introduction to Writing Argument Essays•1 minute
Argument Essays Video Lecture•8 minutes
Teacher Discusses an Argument Essay•5 minutes
7 readings•Total 62 minutes
Learning Objectives•2 minutes
Debatable vs Non-Debatable•10 minutes
Argument Practice•10 minutes
Argument Writing Assignment•10 minutes
Sample Argument Essay•10 minutes
Links to Other Resources•10 minutes
Quiz Instructions•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 105 minutes
Argument Essays•30 minutes
Argument Essay Practice Quiz•30 minutes
Argument Essay Discussion•15 minutes
Argument Essay Submission and Review•30 minutes
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Learner reviews
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3,283 reviews
5 stars
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3 stars
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Showing 3 of 3283
A
AS
5·
Reviewed on Oct 21, 2016
I liked the course very much. It extended my knowledge about essay writing a lot. Also, I got many useful feedback from peer-reviewed assignments. Thank you to the instructor and to the classmates.
A
AP
4·
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!
S
SK
5·
Reviewed on Feb 21, 2018
I really learned the academic writing with re-fresh of grammars in the first course. now, I'm study the academic writing in the college and I can go through the course comfortably.
What will I actually learn in this essay writing course?
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.
Do I need intermediate English before taking this course?
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.
Is this course beginner-friendly for academic essay writing?
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.
How long does it take to complete this course?
It takes about 13 hours to complete. At roughly 10 hours a week, many learners could finish in about 1 to 2 weeks. The course includes lessons, readings, quizzes, discussions, and essay assignments, so the workload mixes study time with actual writing.
Are there hands-on writing exercises in this course?
Yes, there's regular writing practice throughout the course, but it's more guided than open-ended. You'll do short exercises on thesis statements and topic sentences, respond to discussions, and work through full essay assignments in compare/contrast, cause/effect, and argument writing. That helps you use each skill in context instead of only reading about it.
What skills and topics are covered in this course?
You'll work on the core parts of academic essays, including introductions, body paragraphs, conclusions, and thesis statements. The course also shows you how to organize ideas, support them clearly, and improve flow with transitions as you write compare/contrast, cause/effect, and argument essays. It gives you a solid base for drafting, revising, and editing college-level papers.
What can I actually do after finishing this course?
By the end, you should be able to plan and write several common academic essay types with a clear thesis and well-developed body paragraphs. That includes tasks like comparing two subjects in a compare/contrast essay, explaining relationships in a cause/effect essay, or taking a position in an argument essay on a debatable topic. You should also be better able to revise for coherence and spot weak thesis statements before you submit a paper.
Is this course more focused on theory or hands-on learning?
It's more concept-first with steady writing practice. Lessons and readings explain how academic essays work, then you apply that through exercises, quizzes, discussions, and essay assignments, so it suits learners who want guided practice rather than independent projects.
Why would I choose this course over other essay writing courses?
Choose this course if you want a low-risk entry into academic essay writing in English, with more structure than a course that expects you to already know the basics. It builds from essay structure and thesis writing into compare/contrast, cause/effect, and argument essays, and it reinforces each stage with sample essays, quizzes, and writing assignments. If you already write in English at an intermediate level and want a clear path toward college-level essays, this course is a strong fit.