Academic English: Writing Specialization Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This specialization provides a comprehensive foundation in academic writing, designed for beginners and intermediate learners. Over approximately 10 months with a commitment of 10 hours per week, learners will progress through five core courses covering grammar, essay writing, advanced techniques, research paper writing, and a final capstone project. Each module builds essential skills for clear, effective, and properly cited academic writing, culminating in a substantial research paper.
Module 1: Grammar and Punctuation
Estimated time: 80 hours
- Review of essential English grammar rules
- Verb tenses and subject-verb agreement
- Sentence structure and clarity
- Punctuation usage for correctness and style
Module 2: Writing Effective Essays
Estimated time: 80 hours
- Thesis statement development
- Structuring body paragraphs
- Writing conclusions effectively
- Composing compare/contrast, cause/effect, and argument essays
Module 3: Advanced Academic Writing
Estimated time: 80 hours
- Synthesizing information from multiple sources
- Developing sophisticated argument essays
- Avoiding plagiarism through proper paraphrasing
- Integrating evidence cohesively into writing
Module 4: Writing a Research Paper
Estimated time: 80 hours
- Selecting and narrowing a research topic
- Evaluating credible sources
- Effective note-taking strategies
- Proper MLA and APA citation practices
Module 5: Research Paper Writing
Estimated time: 80 hours
- Planning and organizing a research paper
- Drafting with attention to structure and flow
- Revising for clarity and coherence
- Incorporating citations and references correctly
Module 6: Final Project
Estimated time: 80 hours
- Select a research topic of personal interest
- Write a 7–8 page research paper applying all learned skills
- Demonstrate proficiency in formatting, argumentation, and citation
Prerequisites
- Basic proficiency in written English
- Access to a computer and internet
- Commitment to regular study and writing practice
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Write clear, well-structured academic essays
- Apply proper grammar and punctuation rules confidently
- Synthesize multiple sources into cohesive arguments
- Conduct basic academic research and cite sources correctly
- Produce a comprehensive research paper suitable for academic submission