Online Class: Essay Writing 101

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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12Lessons
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25Exams &
Assignments -
3,966Students
have taken this course -
11Hours
average time -
1.1CEUs
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Lesson 1: Dive into the 'Anatomy of an Essay', breaking down its structure and core components.
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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.
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Lesson 5: Explore the 'Types of Essays'. Understand the subtle differences and appropriate use cases for each kind.
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Lesson 6: Delve into 'Topic and Thesis Selection', a crucial step that lays the groundwork for your essay.
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Lesson 7: Understand 'The Argument, Research, and Citations'. Backing your essay with credible sources is indispensable, and this lesson will show you the ropes.
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Lesson 8: Organize your thoughts with 'Outlining the Essay', ensuring a logical flow of ideas.
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Lesson 9-10: Dive deep into crafting the 'Introduction', 'Body', and 'Conclusion' of your essay – the trio that determines its impact.
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Lesson 11: Perfect your essay with 'Revisions and Finishing Touches', ensuring it's polished and free from errors.
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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
- Self-Paced
- 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 1 Video
Lesson discussions: Essay Writing Course; Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: An Introduction
Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 1: Anatomy of an Essay
Lesson 2. Grammar Basics. Part I. The Parts of Speech
Lesson 2 Video
Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 2: Grammar Basics, Part I – The Parts of Speech
Lesson 3. Grammar Basics. Part II. Capitalization and Punctuation
Lesson 3 Video
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 3: Grammar Basics, Part II – Capitalization & Punctuation
Lesson 4. Grammar Basics. Part III. Subject-Verb Agreement and Other Writing Mishaps
Lesson 4 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-APPENDIX.pdf
Lesson discussions: Grammar
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 4: Grammar Basics, Part III – Subject-Verb Agreement & Other Writing Mishaps
Lesson 5. Types of Essays
Lesson 5 Video
Lesson discussions: Types of Essays
Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 5: Types of Essays
Lesson 6. Topic and Thesis Selection
Lesson 6 Video
Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 6: Topic & Thesis Selection
Lesson 7. The Argument, Research, and Citations
Lesson 7 Video
Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 7: The Argument, Research & Citations
Lesson 8. Outlining the Essay
Lesson 8 Video
Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 8: Outlining the Essay
Lesson 9. The Introduction
Lesson 9 Video
Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 9: The Introduction
Lesson 10. The Body and Conclusion
Lesson 10 Video
Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 10: The Body and Conclusion
Lesson 11. Revisions and Finishing Touches
Lesson 11 Video
Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 11: Revisions & Finishing Touches
Lesson 12. Some Final Writing Pitfalls to Avoid
Lesson 12 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-APPENDIX.pdf
Lesson discussions: Your Opinion Matters: Course Rating; Course Comments; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
Complete: Lesson 12: Final Essay Assignment
Assessment: 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

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Includes CEUs | X |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificate & CEUs
This course only
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
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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