Does writing an essay cause cold sweats? Do the rows of books, journals, and resources in the library overwhelm you? Do you feel stuck in the 60% range for essay assignments?

You’re not alone. Writing a research essay requires the development of some specialized skills in research, critical thinking, organization, and of course, writing.

This workshop is ideal for college and university students who are scared about writing their first major paper or think they need extra help to improve their overall skills or senior high school students preparing for university. Over the course of these 8 classes, we will be reviewing the fundamentals of essay writing, including: research tips, developing a research question, structuring your argument, writing a convincing thesis, analyzing your evidence, writing strong paragraphs and the difference between an introduction and conclusion.

Each class will include practical advice and tips on the research and writing process, as well as grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation exercises to help improve the overall quality of your writing. Students are encouraged to bring a research paper to workshop over the course of the 8 weeks by applying the various exercises and techniques learned throughout the course.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Class 1 – Formulating a Topic & Developing a Research Question

Class 2 – Research Fundamentals & Finding the Best Sources

Class 3 – Organizing your Evidence & Conducting a Thoughtful Analysis

Class 4 – Creating Essay Scaffolding & Developing a Strong Thesis Statement

Class 5 – Constructing a Well-Structured Paragraph & Avoiding Fluff

Class 6 – The Importance of an Appealing Introduction

Class 7 – Writing a Thoughtful Conclusion

Class 8 – The Art of Proofreading and Revision