Fundamentals of Academic Writing

The online course "Fundamentals of Academic Writing" is designed to guide students through the full writing process, from prewriting to final editing. It primarily focuses on three key rhetorical skills: invention (ideation), arrangement (organization), and elocution (style). Students develop proficiency in crafting well-structured essays, effective sentence and paragraph writing, and strategic reading. The course also emphasizes proper citation using the MLA system, understanding and avoiding plagiarism, and integrating and documenting textual evidence. Grammar, mechanics, and usage are also covered and reinforced throughout.

The course material includes a variety of engaging fiction and non-fiction sources, allowing students to practice different writing styles and analytical skills. Topics range from comprehensive sentence analysis and poetry appreciation to writing argumentative essays and mastering MLA formatting. The course is particularly suited for 9th-grade high school students, especially those new to Wilson Hill composition or LA 4 students seeking to build confidence and practice.