The Essay Form
Thinking finished on the page.
A writing course built on the premise that the essay is a machine for reaching a conclusion you did not already hold. Structure, evidence, voice and revision, taught through close reading and heavy rewriting.
4.9h
Study time
14
Lessons
4
Modules
4.9
Rating
294 reviews
Enrolment
Enrol to open The Essay Form in the learning workspace, track progress and take the assessments.
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Subjects covered
5 topics
Knowledge map
What you will be able to do
- Build an essay around a genuine question rather than a stated opinion
- Structure an argument so a reader can follow it without effort
- Use evidence at the right altitude
- Revise by cutting, not by adding
Curriculum
4 modules · 14 lessons
- 01Finding a Real QuestionThe judgement calls behind structure, and what each of them costs.20m
- 02The Difference Between a Topic and a ThesisA close look at argument and the failures it is meant to prevent.22m
- 03Reading Toward an ArgumentHow evidence works in practice, once the deadline is real.24m
- 01Openings That Do WorkA close look at voice and the failures it is meant to prevent.22m
- 02The Spine of the ArgumentThe judgement calls behind revision, and what each of them costs.26m
- 03Paragraphs as Units of ThoughtA close look at structure and the failures it is meant to prevent.20m
- 04Endings Without SummaryThe judgement calls behind argument, and what each of them costs.18m
- 01Concrete Beats AbstractHow evidence works in practice, once the deadline is real.20m
- 02Quotation, Paraphrase and TheftWhere voice usually goes wrong, and how to notice it early.22m
- 03Register and the Reader You ImagineHow revision works in practice, once the deadline is real.18m
- 01Reading Your Own Draft ColdlyThe working method for structure, reduced to what actually matters.22m
- 02Cutting Twenty Per CentMaking argument explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.20m
- 03Sentence-level RepairA close look at evidence and the failures it is meant to prevent.24m
- 04Knowing When to StopMaking voice explicit enough that somebody else could repeat it.16m
Assessment
Exercise-led. Each lesson closes with a practice task; assessed work is written and brief.
Quizzes
No quizzes in this course — assessment is by written submission and exercise.
Assignments
- Essay: First Draft35 points
What students say
- 5 out of 5Samuel Okonjo — Consultant
Well paced. Nothing padded, and the instructor answers discussion threads properly rather than pointing you back at the material.
- 5 out of 5Rowan Petersen — Editor
The examples are drawn from ordinary situations rather than glamorous ones, which made them far easier to apply on Monday morning.
- 4 out of 5Ines Duarte — Design lead
Not a beginner course despite the label, and better for it. Expect to reread the middle module.
Fictional reviews — demonstration content only
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