English Composition I

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/english-composition

Introduction

### Course Review: English Composition I on Coursera In an increasingly complex world, strong writing skills are essential for success in both academic and professional settings. Coursera’s **English Composition I** course provides an invaluable foundation for students looking to enhance their writing abilities, irrespective of their field of study. Through a well-structured curriculum, this course helps learners develop the critical reading and writing skills necessary for crafting effective arguments, engaging with others’ ideas, and articulating their own thoughts with clarity and precision. #### Overview of the Course This course is designed to establish a robust framework for college-level writing. Students will learn to read carefully, construct well-supported arguments, and effectively engage with the writing process. With an emphasis on both the creation and evaluation of texts, participants will also gain valuable skills in citing sources accurately and crafting powerful prose. #### Course Learning Objectives By the end of this course, students will have arms-length experience with essential skills, including: - Summarizing, analyzing, questioning, and evaluating written and visual texts - Arguing and supporting a position with sound evidence - Recognizing audience and discipline-specific expectations - Identifying and utilizing the stages of the writing process #### Detailed Syllabus Overview The course syllabus is thoughtfully divided into several core modules, each focusing on different writing skills: 1. **The Writing Process:** Participants begin by reflecting on their writing practices and understanding the meaning of academic writing, setting a strong foundation for future assignments. 2. **Critical Reading:** This module emphasizes the importance of critical reading, including the conventions of academic writing and integrating evidence. Students have the opportunity to produce a critical review, sharpening their analytical skills. 3. **Project 1 - Visual Analysis:** Here, participants learn to interpret and write about visual images, a crucial skill in modern academic writing, improving their ability to provide constructive feedback on peers' work. 4. **Project 2 - Case Study:** This module delves into effective research practices, fostering skills like creating annotated bibliographies and avoiding plagiarism, ultimately leading to a well-researched case study. 5. **Project 3 - Op-Ed:** Students explore public scholarship and learn how to transform academic writing for wider audiences. They’ll gain insights from guest speaker David Jarmul and create an op-ed piece of their own. 6. **Final Week:** The last week is dedicated to reflecting on personal development as a writer. Participants will consider how to adapt their skills to new contexts and continue their writing journey effectively. 7. **Writing in Various Disciplines:** Additional resources provide insight into the nuances of academic writing across different fields, preparing students for their future studies. #### Pros and Cons **Pros:** - **Engaging Format:** The course employs a mix of lectures, reading assignments, peer reviews, and projects that foster engagement and hands-on learning. - **Expert Instruction:** Led by Professor Comer, participants benefit from knowledgeable instruction paired with guest speakers who provide real-world insights. - **Self-Reflection:** Opportunities for self-reflection throughout the course help students understand their progression and areas for improvement. **Cons:** - **Time Commitment:** The course may require significant time, especially for those balancing other commitments. - **Optional Assignments:** Some optional assignments are essential for obtaining honors certificates, which might mislead students who wish to complete the course with a certificate without a deep commitment. #### Final Recommendation I highly recommend **English Composition I** for anyone looking to strengthen their writing skills, whether you're a college student or a professional aiming to refine your communication abilities. The structured approach, coupled with the diverse projects, creates an enriching experience that equips learners with essential tools for academic and real-world writing. By completing this course, not only will you become a more capable writer, but you'll also benefit greatly from the critical analysis skills that will serve you across various contexts. Invest in your future by enrolling in English Composition I; it’s a stepping stone toward confident and effective writing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Additional videos that highlight differences in academic writing across disciplines.