A Beginner's Guide to Writing in English for University Study

FutureLearn A Beginner's Guide to Writing in English for University Study

Platform
FutureLearn
Provider
University of Reading
Effort
3 hours/week
Length
5 weeks
Language
English
Credentials
Paid Certificate Available
Course Link
Overview
Learn how to write using academic English in preparation for university study.
Academic writing can be very different from other types of written English. This course has been developed to help you learn the basics of academic writing and develop your English language skills.

You’ll develop some proficiency in key areas of ‘academic’ grammar, learn about the stages in essay writing, and produce an essay of your own. You’ll also explore how to organise an essay, write in an academic style, and use tools to evaluate your own writing and other learners’ writing, so that by the end of the course you’re able to write a good, basic academic essay.

This course is aimed at non-English speakers who have studied some English. You should have a minimum level of IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.

What topics will you cover?
Week 1
  • Key features of academic writing
  • Developing essay ideas
  • Organising your ideas effectively
Week 2
  • Essay structure and organisation
  • Choosing a title
  • Writing in an impersonal style
Week 3
  • Using academic language
  • Writing about facts and activities
  • Writing about groups of people
  • Writing longer sentences: linking words and subordinators
Week 4
  • The stages of writing an essay
  • Analysing an essay title
  • Deciding what evidence to use
  • Writing a first draft of an essay
Week 5
  • Evaluating a first draft of an essay
  • Reflecting on feedback on your first draft of the essay
  • Responding to feedback on your first draft of the essay

Taught by
Steve Thomas, Jonathan Smith, Anne Vicary (educator) and Sebastian Watkins (Educator)
Author
FutureLearn
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