Course Review: English Composition I by Duke University (Coursera)
Learn clear academic writing. Build strong arguments, read critically, cite sources, and improve style through guided practice and peer feedback.
Instructor: Dr. Denise Comer
Course Overview
English Composition I by Duke University builds strong college-level writing skills step by step. It is ideal for beginners, students, and professionals who want to write with clarity and confidence. No prior experience is needed. The course follows a flexible schedule and focuses on practice, feedback, and reflection. You learn how to read texts closely and write clear arguments. The course explains the full writing process, from ideas to drafts and revision. You also learn how to use evidence, cite sources correctly, and avoid plagiarism. Peer review plays a key role, helping you learn from others and improve your own work. The course covers many writing forms, including critical reviews, visual analysis, case studies, and op-eds. You also explore public writing and how academic ideas can reach wider audiences. By the end, you gain skills that apply across subjects, careers, and real-world writing tasks.
Duration: About 3 weeks. Study around 10 hours per week. Learn at your own pace with a flexible schedule.
Modules: 10 modules. Each module focuses on a key writing skill. Lessons include videos, readings, discussions, and assignments.
Tutor: Dr. Denise Comer. She is a professor at Duke University. She guides learners through clear and practical writing methods.
Pros & Cons
👍Pros
- ✅ Clear structure that builds writing skills step by step.
- ✅ Strong focus on practice, peer feedback, and revision.
- ✅ Useful for study, work, and public writing needs.
👎Cons
- ❌ Heavy peer review may not suit solo learners.
- ❌ Not ideal for advanced or expert writers.
- ❌ No academic credit from Duke University.
🧑🎓 Who is This Course Best For?
This course is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. It helps learners build clear arguments, read critically, and communicate effectively. The lessons are beginner-friendly and apply to school, work, and everyday writing tasks.
- Students preparing for college: Gain a strong foundation in academic writing, research, and citation practices to succeed in higher education.
- Professionals in any field: Learn to write reports, emails, and proposals clearly and persuasively to improve workplace communication.
- Aspiring writers: Develop skills in drafting, revising, and editing across different writing styles and formats.
- Non-native English speakers: Practice grammar, style, and structure to write confidently in English for academic and professional purposes.
- Researchers and analysts: Learn how to read critically, integrate evidence, and summarize findings effectively.
- Bloggers and content creators: Gain strategies to craft compelling, clear, and audience-focused writing for online platforms.
- Individuals seeking personal growth: Improve clarity, style, and persuasion in everyday writing, from emails to personal projects.
- Those interested in public writing: Understand how to adapt academic work for wider audiences through op-eds and public scholarship projects.
📘 What You’ll Learn
In this course, you will build strong writing skills from the ground up. You will learn how to read carefully, analyze texts, and create clear, persuasive arguments. The course teaches the full writing process, from drafting to revising, with practical exercises and peer feedback. By the end, you will be able to write confidently for academic, professional, and public audiences. You will also understand how to cite sources properly and adapt your writing for different contexts and readers.
- Summarize, analyze, question, and evaluate written and visual texts.
- Construct clear and persuasive arguments supported with evidence.
- Recognize audience and discipline-specific expectations.
- Understand and apply the stages of the writing process.
- Identify characteristics of effective prose and style.
- Use proper citation practices and avoid plagiarism.
- Give and receive peer feedback to improve your writing.
- Write critical reviews, visual analyses, case studies, and op-eds.
- Develop skills in concise and precise communication.
- Adapt academic writing for wider public audiences and practical contexts.
❓FAQs
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