Effective Writing

Course Name: Effective Writing

Day(s)/time of class: Tuesdays 6-8 pm (Irish time)

Course length: 6 weeks, 12 hours in class + self-study and assignments for teacher feedback

Course dates for 2022:

Block 3: Tuesday 18 January to Tuesday 22 February

Block 4: Tuesday 01 March to Tuesday 05 April

Block 5: Tuesday 26 April to Tuesday 31 May

You can continue from one block to another if you wish or blocks can be taken independently of one another. Please indicate on the application form which block(s) you wish to take.

Level(s): B2 and higher

Course cost - €150*⁺

*Returning students receive a loyalty discount. Please email infolang@ucc.ie for details.

⁺UCC staff and students should email infolang@ucc.ie to enquire about special offers.

Course overview

This course will help you to improve your writing skills. You will receive some input from the teacher on how to write more effectively and have plenty of opportunities to practise writing and receive feedback from your teacher. Although this is a course about writing skills, it will be in an interactive format where students are expected to participate and share ideas/opinions with others.

Learning objectives

By the end of this course you will:

Be better able to write complex sentences
Be better aware of typical problems found in writing
Improve the overall structure of your writing
Be better able to write in a coherent and cohesive way
Be aware of how to avoid generalisations when writing
Be better able to use linking words effectively
Know how to write an argumentative essay and an “advantages/disadvantages” essay
Be better aware of the differences between formal and informal writing

Weekly course plan (may change slightly depending on class needs)

Week 1:	Sentence types - writing simple, compound, and complex sentences Sentence structure problems - fragment sentences, run-ons, etc.
Week 2:	Paragraph structure - Introductions, main body, conclusions
Week 3:	Improving your coherence and cohesion in writing
Week 4:	Using hedging language to avoid generalisations in writing Writing argumentative essays
Week 5:	Linking words of contrast and concession Writing advantages and disadvantages essays
Week 6:	Linking words of addition and sequencing Differences between formal and informal writing

Student Feedback/Assessment

Students will receive regular feedback from their teachers on their progress. Feedback will be given based on work submitted for corrections. There will be no formal assessment on this course.

Minimum class numbers

A minimum number of four students will be required for this class to run. If four students do not sign up, you will be offered to transfer to another course (depending on level), postpone to another term, or a refund.

Online class connection requirements

Microsoft Teams application - cameras on during class time.

A good internet connection and a quiet space where you are free to speak (headphones/earphones optional).

Attendance/End of course certificate

Attendance will be taken in every class. If you attend 80% of your lessons, you will receive an end-of-course certificate. Please advise the teacher if you know in advance that you will be absent.

How to Apply

Open for applications: Part-time application form

IT requirements to join our courses:

All students are required to bring to class a fully-charged laptop (with audio and video) and headphones to ensure full participation and access to course materials and a more valuable student experience. A reliable internet connection is required (this is provided by UCC for on-campus students). You should download Microsoft Teams to your laptop before starting your course. UCC recommends the use of Chrome browser for best interaction with all its applications. Please note that a laptop is a device that is suitable for study purposes and students who use another device such as a tablet will not be able to access some functions. A smartphone is not considered to be a suitable device for study purposes.