Course Description
Mastering the Essay: A Comprehensive Guide to Excellence in Academic and Professional Writing
In today's digital age, effective communication remains pivotal. The power of the written word hasn't diminished; in fact, with the increasing emphasis on content marketing, social media narratives, and online publishing, its value has arguably skyrocketed. Central to this universe of words is the essay, a versatile medium that encapsulates ideas, arguments, narratives, and information. An adept essay writer stands out in academia and many professional arenas, turning this skill into an essential tool for success.
Course Overview:
A strong essay can be a ticket to better grades in education, a persuasive tool in the corporate sector, and a means to convey critical information in fields like journalism and law. As per a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, written communication skills are among the top attributes employers seek on a candidate's resume. This course is meticulously designed to offer an in-depth understanding of essay writing, guiding you through its various nuances and intricacies.
Course Highlights:
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Nature and Structure of Essays: Dive deep into the history of essays and explore their evolution over time. Understand the essence of what makes an essay compelling.
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Types of Essays: Not all essays are created equal. Explore narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative essays, among others. Each serves a unique purpose, and we'll delve into when and how to use them effectively.
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Grammar Refresher: Even the best ideas can falter with poor grammar. Strengthen your foundation in English grammar, covering everything from the basics of parts of speech to the complexities of subject-verb agreement.
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Spotting and Rectifying Mistakes: Learn from real-world examples of exemplary and flawed writing. Recognize common pitfalls, and more importantly, understand how to avoid them.
By the end of this course, you will not only grasp the theory behind crafting impactful essays but will also have the practical skills to draft, edit, and polish your pieces, ready for academic or professional presentation.
Course Breakdown:
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Lesson 1: Dive into the 'Anatomy of an Essay', breaking down its structure and core components.
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Lesson 2-4: Deepen your understanding of 'Grammar Basics', a three-part series covering Parts of Speech, Capitalization and Punctuation, and Subject-Verb Agreement. These lessons are peppered with exercises and examples to cement your knowledge.
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Lesson 5: Explore the 'Types of Essays'. Understand the subtle differences and appropriate use cases for each kind.
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Lesson 6: Delve into 'Topic and Thesis Selection', a crucial step that lays the groundwork for your essay.
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Lesson 7: Understand 'The Argument, Research, and Citations'. Backing your essay with credible sources is indispensable, and this lesson will show you the ropes.
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Lesson 8: Organize your thoughts with 'Outlining the Essay', ensuring a logical flow of ideas.
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Lesson 9-10: Dive deep into crafting the 'Introduction', 'Body', and 'Conclusion' of your essay – the trio that determines its impact.
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Lesson 11: Perfect your essay with 'Revisions and Finishing Touches', ensuring it's polished and free from errors.
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Lesson 12: Conclude with 'Some Final Writing Pitfalls to Avoid', a compilation of common mistakes and how to steer clear of them.
Each lesson comes with assignments and resources, enabling you to practice what you learn, gather feedback, and refine your skills continuously.
In an era where communication is paramount, mastering the art of essay writing is more than just an academic exercise; it's a critical life skill. Join us on this enlightening journey, and harness the power of words to shape narratives, influence opinions, and make a lasting impact.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the anatomy of an essay.
- Define the parts of speech.
- Demonstrate capitalization and punctuation usage.
- Recognize subject-verb agreement and other writing mishaps.
- Describe types of essays.
- Formulate topic and thesis.
- Define the argument, conduct research and record citations.
- Outline the essay.
- Create the introduction.
- Create the body and conclusion.
- Revise the essay.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Assessment Guide
Assessment | Points |
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An Introduction | 1 points |
Lesson 1 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 1: Anatomy of an Essay | 10 points |
Lesson 2 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 2: Grammar Basics, Part I – The Parts of Speech | 10 points |
Lesson 3 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 3: Grammar Basics, Part II – Capitalization & Punctuation | 8 points |
Lesson 4 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 4: Grammar Basics, Part III – Subject-Verb Agreement & Other Writing Mishaps | 9 points |
Lesson 5 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 5: Types of Essays | 10 points |
Lesson 6 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 6: Topic & Thesis Selection | 9 points |
Lesson 7 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 7: The Argument, Research & Citations | 9 points |
Lesson 8 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 8: Outlining the Essay | 9 points |
Lesson 9 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 9: The Introduction | 8 points |
Lesson 10 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 10: The Body and Conclusion | 10 points |
Lesson 11 Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 11: Revisions & Finishing Touches | 9 points |
Lesson 12: Final Essay Assignment | 25 points |
Lesson 12: Some Final Writing Pitfalls To Avoid | 8 points |