How to Write an Essay – English Language Free Course University of California, Berkeley

How to Write an Essay

English Language Free Course

An introduction to academic writing for English Language Learners, focusing on essay development, grammatical correctness, and self-editing.

Information about the course:

• Length: 5 Weeks
• Effort: 5–6 hours per week
• Price: FREE
• Institution: University of California, Berkeley

Provider	University of California, Berkeley
Course teacher	Maggie Sokolik
certificate	YES with fees

College Writing 2.1x is an introduction to academic writing for English Language Learners, focusing on essay development, grammatical correctness, and self-editing.

The five-week course includes a review of basic grammar terminology and understanding; writing effective sentences and paragraphs; introductions and conclusions; strategies for writing longer texts; and thesis statements. The course materials will be offered via readings and videos.

An optional course workbook, in ebook form, may be used for additional writing work. Students will participate in online discussions as well as peer review.

Students will complete an essay for this part of the course.

In partnership with the U.S. Department of State

UC Berkeley is partnering with the U.S. Department of State to extend the reach of College Writing 2X. Participating U.S. Embassies will host in-person, facilitated discussions sessions around the course content in order to maximize the learning experience.

The State Department-supported EducationUSA network will also offer facilitated discussions in some locations for students interested in pursuing higher education in the United States.

This partnership is part of the English Education Alliance (E2A), a global effort of the U.S. Department of State to address the global demand for 21st century English language skills.

What you’ll learn

• Basic grammar terminology and understanding
• How to write effective sentences and paragraphs
• How to tackle writing introductions and conclusions
• Strategies for writing longer texts and thesis statements

Official and Verified Receive an instructor-signed certificate with the institution’s logo to verify your achievement and increase your job prospects

Watch the course on the official website

Maggie Sokolik

Director, College Writing Programs University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Sokolik received her Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles. After her Ph.D., she did post-doctoral work in Paris, France, and has been a faculty member at Harvard University, MIT, Texas A&M, and Northern Arizona University. She has taught writing and technical communication at UC Berkeley since 1992, and is Director of College Writing Programs. She is the author of over twenty ESL and composition textbooks. She is an English Language Specialist for the U.S. Department of State, and travels frequently to speak about grammar, educational technology, writing, and instructor education, most recently to Turkey, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and New Zealand.