Advanced Writing Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This course provides a structured and practical approach to mastering advanced academic writing, ideal for students and professionals aiming to improve their writing for college-level and professional contexts. The curriculum spans approximately 17 hours of content, divided into five core modules and a final project. Each module includes interactive exercises, readings, and quizzes to reinforce learning. Learners will develop skills in argumentation, source integration, plagiarism avoidance, and synthesis writing, culminating in a documented essay project.
Module 1: Course Introduction
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Introduction to advanced academic writing
- Understanding the course structure and expectations
- Overview of plagiarism and academic integrity
- Introduction to MLA citation format
Module 2: Advanced Argument Essays
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Planning and organizing a sophisticated argument essay
- Incorporating evidence from external sources
- Developing complex thesis statements
- Writing longer, more detailed academic essays
Module 3: Avoiding Plagiarism
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Defining plagiarism and its consequences
- Recognizing different forms of plagiarism
- Proper paraphrasing and summarizing techniques
- Applying correct MLA citations to avoid plagiarism
Module 4: Synthesis Essays
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Reading and analyzing multiple articles
- Identifying connections between sources
- Forming an original opinion based on source material
- Writing a thesis-driven synthesis essay
Module 5: Documented Essays
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Integrating sources effectively in writing
- Organizing a documented essay with proper structure
- Using MLA format for in-text citations and works cited
Module 6: Final Project
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Write a complete synthesis and documented essay
- Apply MLA citation standards throughout the essay
- Submit for final assessment and receive feedback
Prerequisites
- Basic proficiency in English reading and writing
- Familiarity with essay structure and grammar
- Access to online research materials
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Plan and write a sophisticated argument essay using external sources
- Identify and avoid plagiarism through proper MLA citation
- Analyze multiple articles and form an independent perspective
- Make meaningful connections between sources to develop thesis statements
- Write a well-documented academic essay with correct source integration