online essay writing course

Online Class: Essay Writing 101

• 25 Exams & Assignments
• 4,042 Students have taken this course
• 11 Hours average time

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:

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.

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.

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.

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:

Lesson 1: Dive into the 'Anatomy of an Essay', breaking down its structure and core components.

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.

Lesson 5: Explore the 'Types of Essays'. Understand the subtle differences and appropriate use cases for each kind.

Lesson 6: Delve into 'Topic and Thesis Selection', a crucial step that lays the groundwork for your essay.

Lesson 7: Understand 'The Argument, Research, and Citations'. Backing your essay with credible sources is indispensable, and this lesson will show you the ropes.

Lesson 8: Organize your thoughts with 'Outlining the Essay', ensuring a logical flow of ideas.

Lesson 9-10: Dive deep into crafting the 'Introduction', 'Body', and 'Conclusion' of your essay – the trio that determines its impact.

Lesson 11: Perfect your essay with 'Revisions and Finishing Touches', ensuring it's polished and free from errors.

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
• 6 Months to Complete
• 24/7 Availability
• Start Anytime
• PC & Mac Compatible
• Android & iOS Friendly
• Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons

Lesson 1. Anatomy of an Essay

Lesson 2. Grammar Basics. Part I. The Parts of Speech

Lesson 3. grammar basics. part ii. capitalization and punctuation, lesson 4. grammar basics. part iii. subject-verb agreement and other writing mishaps.

Lesson 5. Types of Essays

Lesson 6. topic and thesis selection, lesson 7. the argument, research, and citations, lesson 8. outlining the essay, lesson 9. the introduction, lesson 10. the body and conclusion, lesson 11. revisions and finishing touches, lesson 12. some final writing pitfalls to avoid, 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.

Additional Course Information

• Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
• Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
• Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
• View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
• Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Choose Your Subscription Plan

Student testimonials.

• "My instructor had patience, she worked with me over and over until I understood what I have to write." -- Deborah E.
• "This course was extremely helpful. I am an English teacher and needed this course for CE so I was very familiar with the material provided. It gave me a new insight to teaching essay writing and research writing that I have not seen--or rather seen put together so well!" -- Amy B.
• "My prof was superb in extending her helping hand to understand all my downs in going through with this course." -- Mary Ann C.
• "I found the explanations extremely helpful. I also liked how everything was divided into sections where it was easy to read." -- Patricia P.
• "I enjoyed the instructor's comments and the coursework." -- Kathy C.
• "What was most helpful was the instructor correcting my grammer and spelling." -- Patricia N.
• "ALL THE LESSONS ESPECIALLY THE LAST 4. THEY BROUGHT ALL THE CLASS INFORMATION TOGETHER. VERY HELPFUL IN COMPLETING THE ESSAY." -- Roland H.
• "The progression of the assignments were most beneficial. By gradually building from learning the parts of speech and sentence structure, to outlining and drafting I acquired a strong foundation from which I built my final essay." -- Joan C.
• "This instructor was very detail oriented and helpful." -- Chandradarshini B.

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8-week Personal Essay & Memoir II/III (intermediate & advanced)

Sackett Street Writers

Through group discussion of student work, plus that of published authors, writers in this workshop will examine the art and craft of creative nonfiction. The focus will be on learning to understand and use a full range of literary techniques in order to tell a truly compelling nonfiction story.

Website: https://sackettworkshop.com/writing/2023/12/30/8-week-per...

March, 2024

Online Advanced Essays and the Persona Narrator (Ford)

The Writers Studio

In this eight-week class, we will look at published works by notable essayists to see how their use of persona narrator and other elements of craft help them both to live into their material and to welcome the reader.

Website: https://courses.writerstudio.com/courses/online-advanced-...

Introduction to Writing Speculative Nonfiction Essays

Clarion West

As writers and readers we all bring something different to the page and have our own lens with which we view not only the world, but the media we consume. Learn how to leverage your unique perspective and expertise into a well crafted essay on your favorite media.

Website: https://clarion-west-online.teachable.com/p/gilmore-specu...

Open all year round

Blog and Text Writing for Scientists and Scientific Entrepreneurs

Scientists and scientific entrepreneurs need to inform the public about their work. They are also now aware of the need to do so in the online content world. This course focuses specifically on blog writing. We touch briefly however on how one enters into this type of work.

Website: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/Blog-and-Text-Writi...

A Comprehensive Guide To Writing a First Class Scientific Essay

This class is designed to guide beginner writers on how to write a high-quality literature review and research article for STEM subjects. The class is designed to give students a clearer idea of the best practices in scientific writing.

Website: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/A-Comprehensive-Gui...

Using the Tools of Fiction in Nonfiction

The Writer's Center

Whether you are crafting an essay or writing a memoir, the tools of fiction can bring depth and suspense to your work. This class will cover four tools of fiction. We will examine contemporary examples of each tool used in nonfiction, and then we will practice them with generative exercises.

Website: https://writer.org/event/using-the-tools-of-fiction-in-no...

Writing Motherhood

This workshop is for writers who have become mothers (self-defined), or mothers who need to write. In this six-week class, we will read and discuss texts on the topic of motherhood from a diversity of perspectives, and explore and interrogate our own relationship with motherhood through our writing.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/writing-motherhoo...

6 Weeks, 3 Essays

When it comes to writing about our lives and the wider world, it can be difficult to know where to begin. This course is for writers who are ready to produce new essays, but need the inspiration and accountability to get started.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/6-weeks-3-essays-9/

Prerequisites: For writers age 13 - 18 ONLY.

The Braided Essay (seminar)

Lilly Dancyger

For essays that tell more than a single story or incorporate research, reporting, or criticism, writers can turn to the braided essay format. An expansive and complex form, the braided essay can accommodate these additional elements, but it also takes skill to pull off with cohesion. This 4-week seminar by Lilly Dancyger will help guide you through the entire process, from idea to drafting to weaving strands together.

Website: https://www.lillydancyger.com/the-braided-essay

How to choose an essay writing class

Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that essay you’ve been working on? You’re in the right place. That’s why we built this directory of the best writing courses.

However, creative writing classes aren’t one size fit all. If you’re planning to join an essay writing class in particular, you’ll want to make sure that it matches what you’re seeking to learn about essay writing.

So make sure to consider the following questions when you’re researching essay writing courses:

• Who is the instructor? How many years of experience do they have in essay writing?
• Is there something in particular you’d like to learn about essay writing? Does this course include it?
• How long is the course, and where is it taught?
• How much does the essay writing course cost? Does it fit into your budget?

More essay writing resources

Whether you’re a new or established author, there are always evergreen resources out there to how to get a headstart on essay writing. 

Free online materials

• How to Write a Novel (blog post)
• How to Edit a Book (blog post)

Recommended books

• For writers in the UK:  Writers' & Artists' Yearbook  
• For writers in the US:  Writer’s Market 2020

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In this engaging and rigorous summer course, students study the how and why of academic essay writing.

Live instructors guide students (ages 14–16) as they plan, draft, and revise academic essays, and learn why such essays matter.

This course is recommended for students entering Grade 8, 9, or 10. We recommend that students enroll in Language Arts courses at grade level.

Academic Essay Writing offers an intensive study of the how and why of academic writing. Students learn how to plan, draft, and revise an academic essay — as well as why such essays matter.

Featuring the popular college writing textbook, They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing , the course approaches “the essay” as part of a larger conversation being held among scholars. The tools students gain in this course will help them enter into that conversation and maintain it through their academic careers.

Students must purchase the required book(s) before the start of the course.

Our instructors hold classes virtually, in a small-sized (10-16 students) videoconferencing classroom. With a small class size, teachers can give individualized attention to each student, providing real-time verbal and written feedback and supporting students' growth as writers.

Our Language Arts summer courses do not include homework. Students receive frequent feedback on their writing and present their work throughout the course.

If you drop a summer course before the start of your first class session, we'll issue a full refund for the course tuition. No refunds will be issued for withdrawing from a summer course after the start of your first class session. We do not accept Language Arts book returns, since they are purchased from a third party.

Our summer course offerings meet five days a week, Monday through Friday. We offer this course in two timing formats. Both cover the same course material.

• The two-week course meets for 3 hours each day.
• The four-week course meets for 1.5 hours each day.

Gig workers are writing essays for AI to learn from

• Companies are hiring highly educated gig workers to write training content for AI models .
• The shift toward more sophisticated trainers comes as tech giants scramble for new data sources.
• AI could run out of data to learn from by 2026, one research institute has warned. 

As artificial intelligence models run out of data to train themselves on, AI companies are increasingly turning to actual humans to write training content.

For years, companies have used gig workers to help train AI models on simple tasks like photo identification , data annotation, and labelling. But the rapidly advancing technology now requires more advanced people to train it.

Companies such as Scale AI and Surge AI are hiring part-timers with graduate degrees to write essays and creative prompts for the bots to gobble up, The New York Times reported . Scale AI, for example, posted a job last year looking for people with Master's degrees or PhDs, who are fluent in either English, Hindi, or Japanese and have professional writing experience in fields like poetry, journalism, and publishing.

Related stories

Their mission? To help AI bots "become better writers," Scale AI wrote in the posting.

And an army of workers are needed to do this kind of work. Scale AI has as many as tens of thousands of contractors working on its platform at a time, per the Times.

"What really makes the A.I. useful to its users is the human layer of data, and that really needs to be done by smart humans and skilled humans and humans with a particular degree of expertise and a creative bent," Willow Primack, the vice president of data operations at Scale AI, told the New York Times. "We have been focusing on contractors, particularly within North America, as a result."

The shift toward more sophisticated gig trainers comes as tech giants scramble to find new data to train their technology on. That's because the programs learn so incredibly fast that they're already running out of available resources to learn from. The vast trove of online information — everything from scientific papers to news articles to Wikipedia pages — is drying up.

Epoch, an AI research institute, has warned that AI could run out of data by 2026.

So, companies are finding more and more creative ways to make sure their systems never stop learning. Google has considered accessing its customers' data in Google Docs , Sheets, and Slides while Meta even thought about buying publishing house Simon & Schuster to harvest its book collection, Business Insider previously reported.

Watch: Nearly 50,000 tech workers have been laid off — but there's a hack to avoid layoffs

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