Writing Skills

Write well-structured and clearly expressed essays.

Course Director: Jo Rainey

Head of Teaching Practice, Eton College
View Study Options

Course overview

Our Writing Skills Course will teach you the techniques you need to create a well-structured and powerful essay no matter what the question. We’ll take you from the brainstorming stage, through building your argument to editing the finished essay. You will be supported by interactive activities, practice tasks and advice from experts.

Syllabus

1

A Good Essay

  • Your strengths and areas of challenge
  • Types of essays
  • Finding your voice and overcoming obstacles

2

Researching the Topic

  • Analysing essay titles
  • Brainstorming before starting research
  • Using sources appropriately

3

Planning Your Essay

  • Identifying a line of argument
  • Structuring and planning

4

Building Your Argument

  • Effective strategies for well-argued and coherent paragraphs
  • Sense checking

5

Developing Your Writing Style

  • Formal language
  • Precise language
  • Connecting expressions
  • Effective sentences

6

Editing Your Essay

  • Sources of misunderstanding
  • Proofreading

Writing Skills – learning outcomes

 

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • analyse the essay question and define your task
  • utilise techniques for efficient planning
  • create a coherent structure
  • develop an argument and write purposeful introductions and conclusions
  • use appropriate language
  • avoid plagiarism and use reference material appropriately
  • check your essay for accuracy and consistency.

Study options

Self-Study

Self-paced, independent learning that students complete at their own pace.

This is a flexible option which students can fit around school and other extracurricular commitments.

See how it works >

  • 7–10 hours of learning materials
  • Diagnostic test to measure skill level
  • Progress dashboard
  • Certificate of completion

Course Pack

This course is also available as part of our 'Elevate your Learning' Course Pack

Important information

Safeguarding

As part of our rigorous safeguarding procedures, all EtonX tutors and staff have passed an enhanced DBS check and child safeguarding course.

Privacy and data

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Technical requirements

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Entry requirements

The minimum level of English required to participate in our courses is Upper Intermediate or B2 on the CEFR.

Through the writing course, I learned to structure my essay and organise my ideas in a more efficient way. This can really help when I go to university in the future, as I’ll have to write a lot of essays.
Bernice, Writing Skills, Hong Kong

Free access for state schools

If you’re a state school student in the UK aged 13 or over, you get free access to all of our courses. No catch. Start building your skills today!

Not in the State Sector?

Don't worry - you can still purchase a 12 month subscription! Individual and bulk school licence purchases are available.