Start writing essays
On this page
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| No examination | No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
Returning to study or coming to it for the first time can be daunting. Many students are frightened of writing essays, but it’s a craft that can be learnt. This 12-week online course helps you to build confidence through diagnosing your strengths and weaknesses, analysing what makes a good essay, structured exercises, practice and feedback. Ideal for students embarking on OU study in any subject that requires essays, it’s also suitable for anyone wanting to improve their essay writing. You’ll receive feedback on your writing and have the opportunity to interact with other students and your tutor in an online forum.
Course content
You will have an opportunity to practise, improve and reflect on a range of core skills and techniques through online interactive exercises, short readings and longer assignments marked by your tutor.
The course consists of five blocks:
Getting started provides diagnostic self-tests and a variety of exercises and activities that help you to recognise and eliminate weaknesses in your writing style. It begins with planning, research and the beginnings of structure in essays. The concepts of tone and genre are introduced and some strategies for overcoming psychological obstacles to writing are explored.
Structuring and planning takes you through the process of analysing a question, making notes towards an answer and developing your essay structure further, before moving on to writing introductions.
Making a case is about the argument put forward in an essay. It examines the ways in which evidence and quotations can be used to build a case, the value of considering objections to your position, and the relationship between your argument and your conclusion.
Editing encourages you to become a critic of your own writing, suggesting strategies for rewriting essays.
Improving your writing is designed to help you develop as an essay writer and learn from the comment you receive. It includes analysis of the special requirements imposed by writing in different genres, particularly the examination essay. There is also a section covering the classic mistakes in essays.
These five blocks are taught online via the course website, where you can access most of the course materials, and supplemented by an audio CD and a printed course guide. You are encouraged to participate in an online forum through which you can interact with other students and with your tutor.
For further information visit the Start Writing website.
Entry
There are no entry requirements for this course. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
A172 is a optional course in our
- BA (Honours) Humanities (B03)
- BA/BSc (Honours) European Studies (B10)
- Certificate of Higher Education in Humanities (C98)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is suitable for a BA. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of the printed course material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. The course materials are available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format or in comb-bound format. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
This course is delivered online and includes the use of tools such as an online forum. If you use specialist software or hardware to assist you in using a personal computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course website, online forums, online library access, audio CD, printed course guide, set book.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
Your tutor will mark and comment on your written assignments. You can contact your tutor through email and the online forum. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help you with your study methods
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
The second TMA builds on the skills developed in the first one.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in May and October 2010 and February 2011 when it will be available for the last time.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Arts and Humanities.
Study explained
- Course
- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Student Reviews
I would recommend this course for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. Even if you think you write ...
Read more
I thoroughly enjoyed this course and it is definitely worth doing if you are considering re-entering education after a long ...
Read more
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
Browse the prospectus
Request a print prospectus
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.