English Composition I from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

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.

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.

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.

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.

Project 2: Case Study

This week, various aspects of effective research will be discussed, such as creating an annotated bibliography, research strategies, and avoiding plagiarism. You will conduct research for your next project, a case study, contribute to an annotated bibliography, and submit your case study draft.

Writing Cohesively and Case Study Revision

In preparation for improving your case study, Professor Comer will present strategies of writing more cohesively. After receiving your final feedback, please submit a self-reflection about this project.

Project 3: Op-Ed

This week, Professor Comer introduces the idea of public scholarship, how academic writing can be transformed for a broader public. Her guest, David Jarmul, will give an overview of how to write an op-ed. You will then have the opportunity to write your own.

Crafting Powerful Prose and Op-Ed Revision

This week Professor Comer will address the topic of concise writing; how to convey meaning with fewer words. Your task is to rewrite your op-ed.

Transferring Writing Practices, Skills, and Knowledge to New Contexts

This final week is dedicated to how to move forward with your writing and apply the skills learned in this course to new contexts. Your final assignment is a self-reflection about your development as a writer over the last several weeks.

Writing in the Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Sciences

Additional videos that highlight differences in academic writing across disciplines.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Well-suited for learners seeking a foundation in college-level writing

Course is taught by an experienced and knowledgeable instructor

Provides a comprehensive overview of the writing process

Incorporates various assignments to enhance writing skills

Suitable for learners across various fields due to its focus on fundamental writing principles

Reviews summary

Renewed writing skills

According to students, English Composition I is a writing course that improves writing skills and provides valuable practice. This course is well-suited for students who need writing basics or a writing refresher, as well as non-native English speakers. Learners say the instructor is effective at teaching writing fundamentals and that the course's four projects are a great way to apply writing skills. While some learners mention that the course is difficult, others say that it is a worthwhile learning experience.

Instructor is highly knowledgeable and effective at teaching writing.

"prof. Comer's expertise lifted the level high enough to keep attention to a maximum."

Course gives valuable writing practice.

"I gained valuable practice in drafting and writing papers over the four projects."

Course can be challenging, especially for non-native speakers.

"Not easy especially for non-native speakers."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in English Composition I with these activities:

Find a Writing Mentor

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Finding a writing mentor can be a great way to get personalized feedback on your writing and improve your skills. This activity will help you find and connect with a writing mentor who can help you reach your goals.

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Identify your writing goals.
Search for potential mentors.
Contact potential mentors and ask if they are willing to mentor you.

Practice Summarizing Text

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Summarizing text is a key skill for college writing. This activity will help you practice this skill by providing you with a variety of texts to summarize.

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Read the text carefully.
Identify the main ideas of the text.
Write a brief summary of the text.

Watch Video Tutorials on Writing

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Watching video tutorials can be a helpful way to learn about different writing skills. This activity will help you find and watch video tutorials that are relevant to your interests and needs.

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Search for video tutorials on writing.
Watch the videos and take notes.
Apply the advice in your own writing.

Six other activities

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Join a Writing Group

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Joining a writing group can be a great way to get feedback on your writing and improve your skills. This activity will help you find and join a writing group that is right for you.

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Search for writing groups in your area.
Contact the group leader and ask to join.
Attend writing group meetings and participate in discussions.

Write a Short Essay

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Writing essays is a key skill for college writing. This activity will help you practice this skill by providing you with a variety of essay topics to choose from.

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Choose an essay topic.
Do some research on your topic.
Write an outline for your essay.
Write a draft of your essay.
Revise and edit your essay.

Attend a Writing Workshop

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Attending a writing workshop can be a great way to learn about different writing techniques and improve your skills. This activity will help you find and attend a writing workshop that is right for you.

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Search for writing workshops in your area.
Register for a workshop that interests you.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.

Volunteer as a Writing Tutor

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Volunteering as a writing tutor can be a great way to give back to your community and improve your own writing skills. This activity will help you find and volunteer with a writing tutoring program.

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Search for writing tutoring programs in your area.
Contact the program director and ask to volunteer.
Attend training and prepare to tutor students.

Read "The Elements of Style"

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"The Elements of Style" is a classic writing guide that provides clear and concise advice on how to write effectively. Reading this book will help you improve your writing skills in all areas.

View The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition on Amazon

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Read the book carefully.
Take notes on the key points.
Apply the advice in your own writing.

Enter a Writing Contest

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Entering a writing contest can be a great way to motivate yourself to write and improve your skills. This activity will help you find and enter a writing contest that is right for you.

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Search for writing contests in your area.
Choose a contest that you are interested in.
Submit your work to the contest.

Career center

Learners who complete English Composition I will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Newspaper Reporter

Being able to write effectively and persuasively is a key skill for Newspaper Reporters. English Composition I helps build a foundation for this skill by teaching students how to read critically, write effective arguments, and craft powerful prose. Newspaper Reporters also need to be able to research and cite their sources accurately, which are skills that are taught in this course. Additionally, this course can help Newspaper Reporters understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Newspaper Reporter

Magazine Editor

Magazine Editors need to be able to write clearly and concisely, and they also need to be able to edit and proofread the work of others. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to analyze and evaluate written texts, write effective arguments, and use proper citation practices. Additionally, this course can help Magazine Editors understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Magazine Editor

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists need to be able to write persuasive and engaging content, and they also need to be able to effectively communicate with the media. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to write effective arguments, engage with others' ideas, and craft powerful prose. Additionally, this course can help Public Relations Specialists understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Speechwriter

Speechwriters need to be able to write persuasive and engaging speeches that are tailored to a specific audience. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to write effective arguments, engage with others' ideas, and craft powerful prose. Additionally, this course can help Speechwriters understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

Content Writer

Content Writers need to be able to write clear and concise content that is engaging and informative. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to read critically, write effective arguments, and craft powerful prose. Additionally, this course can help Content Writers understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Copywriter

Copywriters need to be able to write persuasive and engaging copy that is tailored to a specific audience. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to write effective arguments, engage with others' ideas, and craft powerful prose. Additionally, this course can help Copywriters understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Technical Writer

Technical Writers need to be able to write clear and concise technical documentation. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to read critically, write effective arguments, and craft powerful prose. Additionally, this course can help Technical Writers understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

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Grant Writer

Grant Writers need to be able to write persuasive grant proposals that are tailored to a specific audience. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to write effective arguments, engage with others' ideas, and craft powerful prose. Additionally, this course can help Grant Writers understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Researcher

Researchers need to be able to write clearly and concisely, and they also need to be able to research and cite their sources accurately. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to analyze and evaluate written texts, write effective arguments, and use proper citation practices. Additionally, this course can help Researchers understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Journalist

Journalists need to be able to write clearly and concisely, and they also need to be able to research and cite their sources accurately. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to analyze and evaluate written texts, write effective arguments, and use proper citation practices. Additionally, this course can help Journalists understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Editor

Editors need to be able to read critically, write effectively, and edit the work of others. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to analyze and evaluate written texts, write effective arguments, and use proper citation practices. Additionally, this course can help Editors understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Academic Advisor

Academic Advisors need to be able to write clearly and concisely, and they also need to be able to communicate effectively with students. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to write effective arguments, engage with others' ideas, and craft powerful prose. Additionally, this course can help Academic Advisors understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

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Teacher

Teachers need to be able to write clearly and concisely, and they also need to be able to communicate effectively with students. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to write effective arguments, engage with others' ideas, and craft powerful prose. Additionally, this course can help Teachers understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

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Librarian

Librarians need to be able to write clearly and concisely, and they also need to be able to research and cite their sources accurately. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to analyze and evaluate written texts, write effective arguments, and use proper citation practices. Additionally, this course can help Librarians understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers need to be able to write clearly and concisely, and they also need to be able to engage with others on social media. English Composition I helps build a foundation for these skills by teaching students how to write effective arguments, engage with others' ideas, and craft powerful prose. Additionally, this course can help Social Media Managers understand the writing process and how to write for different audiences, which is important for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager