Academic Writing in English (Course, Links)

Hi all & Happy New Year

I just enrolled in an online MSc programme and I am pretty exited to start!

The programme requires weekly essays, hand-in assignments (about 1000 words), and per module a final project (4500 - 5500 words). Not to forget the final master thesis with 15'000 - 25'000 words.

My understanding of English is okay. But, I don't like my writing. I would like to write essays and discussion at almost the same level as I do in my mother tongue.

Are there any online courses (or online resources) that I could take to improve my academic writing skills? Best would be if they were for free ;-)

Thanks for your support!
Bests, DonW

 

Hi Don - I'm sorry that you didn't tell us the school you've just entered but let me give you a link that might help (scroll to the bottom for the writing programs (it's an alphabetical thing).

http://www.freewebs.com/dlasap/arts.htm

 

I think DonWoods is interested in a single course or certificate program or something along those lines to enhance his writing ability for his MSc degree, not necessarily a degree in English and/or Writing per se?

If that's the case, a good place to start (that's free) is Perdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

One other program that's been mentioned here before is the Iowa State University "Basics of Professional Writing" program. It's only $45 ... there's a thread about it here:
http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?t=31149
You earn a certificate by completing this program.

I'll mention one other free resource that has helped me in the past, even as a native English speaker ... Paul Brians' Common Errors in English Usage page. Very useful! And it's even been published in a book now.

 

The course below is aimed at students undertaking undergraduate studies, but perhaps it could be useful to you as well where it deals with essay writing.

http://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/details.php?id=O09P355SKV

 

Based on your post I would say your command of English is excellent (however UK/USA and European ways of writing numbers are different; for example 25,000 rather than 25'000 and 2.50 mm rather than 2,50 mm).

By the time you have written several 1,000 word essays your writing will be much improved. Using a grammar & spell checker for your essays will help a lot.

 

Dear all

Thank you for your valuable answers!

I entered the MSc in Corporate Finance at the University of Liverpool and will start my first module tomorow (http://www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught_courses/corporate-finance-online-msc.htm).

Emmzees assumption is right. I am looking for a short course that helps me in structuring essays, using the right words, and keep texts concise.
I just want to write the same style as I am able in my mother tongue 

@Emmzee: OWL has good content. Thx!

@Malajac: I had contact with someone from the administration office from this course -> http://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/d...?id=O09P355SKV. They wrote me the following: It covers reading and note-taking, grammar and punctuation usage, and development of assignment writing skills. It might help but it is intended for students just starting undergraduate study so I think it would be too basic.

@Ian: Thanks. You might be right. I just start the programme and write some essays. Hopefully, I will become better and better. If there will be still a gap, I try the programme from IOWA State.

Thanks guys.
DW

 

Dear all

Thank you for your valuable answers!

I entered the MSc in Corporate Finance with University of Liverpool and will start my first module tomorow (http://www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught_courses/corporate-finance-online-msc.htm).

Emmzees assumption is right. I am looking for a short course that helps me in structuring essays, using the right words, and keep texts concise.
I just want to write the same style as I am able in my mother tongue J

@Emmzee: OWL has good content. Thx!

@Malajac: I had contact with someone from the administration office of http://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/d...?id=O09P355SKV. They wrote me the following: It covers reading and note-taking, grammar and punctuation usage, and development of assignment writing skills. It might help but it is intended for students just starting undergraduate study so I think it would be too basic.

@Ian: Thanks. You might be right. I just start the programme and write some essays. Hopefully, I will become better and better. If there will be still a gap, I try the programme from IOWA State.

Thanks guys.
DW