Writing Skills for Literature and History

Where do you start when a college or high school instructor wants you to write about an important book? Writing Skills for Literature and History is a quick course designed to help. Originally developed for students in online Great Books tutorials, the course principles apply to all students who need a little help with the following:

Thesis

Support for Thesis

Introduction and Conclusion

Narrative, Summary, Definition, Comparison

Style and Mechanics

In four modules, each containing a recording of a class meeting on the topic, you will read a few pages in the 37-page course document, then answer a few quiz questions and do two brief writing assignments. You will see samples of successful work from earlier students. You are invited to submit one of your brief writing assignments via email for a free evaluation, and you may order additional evaluations. To sum up:

Four work modules that take one to three hours each

Course document of 37 pages including all content needed

Four recorded WizIQ workshop meetings of 30-50 minutes each

Four sets of assignments including self-check quiz questions and a total of eight brief writing exercises

Link to blog post displaying sample student work

Opportunity to submit one writing exercise for a free evaluation, and to order more if desired

Opportunity to attend free twice-weekly online workshops (WizIQ) throughout the academic year

Writing Skills for Literature and History can be completed in as little as one week, and should be completed in no more than six weeks, to keep up momentum, but the pace is up to you! The course may be completed by multiple members of one household for one class fee. The course is appropriate for students at least 12 years old and up through undergraduate years of college. It is also appropriate for homeschooling parents who want to learn how to guide their students in writing essays based on important readings in literature, history, philosophy, theology, and other Great Books-type work. Students need no special technical skills other than the capability of working with an internet browser, a word processing program compatible with Microsoft Word, and email.

Students who complete Writing Skills for Literature and History will have a resource to consult (the course document) as they tackle essay assignments in their classes in high school and college. They will also have an introduction to the instructor, Cindy Marsch, and opportunity to attend free twice-weekly online workshops and "office hours" to have their specific questions answered.

This introductory course is designed to acquaint you with Writing Assessment Services , which offers a variety of evaluation services and writing courses, with free, live online meetings. Once this course helps you write essays for your classes, consider ordering evaluation services to see how you've done, and to learn what you can do to improve your success for future writing assignments.

*Note: This course originated with clients studying within a Christian world view. The course document makes reference to the Bible and to points of Christian doctrine, but also to works of ancient pagan literature and more modern works of all types. It is not a proselytizing course, but if you are offended by Christian/Bible references, this may not be the course for you. Please write if you would like to discuss it.