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The Open University

Essay and report writing skills

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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Writing reports and assignments can be a daunting prospect. Learn how to interpret questions and how to plan, structure and write your assignment or report. This free course, Essay and report writing skills, is designed to help you develop the skills you need to write effectively for academic purposes.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Good practice in writing
  • 1 Good practice in writing
  • 2 Identifying key concerns
  • 2 Identifying key concerns
  • 2.1 Your feelings about writing
  • 2.2 Developing writing styles
  • 3 The purpose of writing
  • 3 The purpose of writing
  • 4 Understanding the task
  • 4 Understanding the task
  • 4.1 Writing requirements
  • 4.2 Reports
  • 4.3 Essays
  • 4.4 Stages in assignment writing
  • 4.5 A different perspective
  • 5 Preparation
  • 5 Preparation
  • 5.1 Estimating the time for the task
  • 5.1.1 Do you dread deadlines?
  • 5.1.2 ‘Good enough’ is OK
  • 5.2 The question
  • 5.2.1 When to look at the question
  • 5.2.2 Opening up ideas: analysing the question
  • 5.3 Researching
  • 5.4 Identifying sources
  • 6 Planning
  • 6 Planning
  • 6.1 Why plan a piece of writing?
  • 6.1.1 Report planning
  • 6.1.2 Essay planning
  • 6.2 Turning the spotlight on your work
  • 6.3 Planning stages
  • 6.3.1 Stage 1 Brainstorm
  • 6.3.2 Stage 2 Create a mind map
  • 7 Drafting
  • 7 Drafting
  • 7.1 Translating your plan
  • 7.2 Drafting reports
  • 7.3 Drafting essays
  • 7.4 Writing the first draft
  • 7.4.1 The introduction of a report
  • 7.4.2 The introduction of an essay
  • 7.4.3 When to write the introduction?
  • 7.4.4 The main body of the text
  • 7.4.5 The conclusion
  • 8 Polishing
  • 8 Polishing
  • 8.1 Why polish?
  • 8.1.1 Achieving a good polish
  • 9 Letting go
  • 9 Letting go
  • 10 Reflecting on tutor feedback
  • 10 Reflecting on tutor feedback
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

Tags

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 2 Class Central reviews

4.4 rating at OpenLearn based on 94 ratings

Start your review of Essay and report writing skills

  • Profile image for Niloofar Jaberi
    Niloofar Jaberi
    3
    This course was very carefully designed, and each section, while containing comprehensive and useful content, was presented in simple language and had practical exercises, which was very good for me.
  • Profile image for Jhansadur Rahman
    Jhansadur Rahman
    the courses were accurate and on point in some topics of essay and report writing, in my opinion this will help future writers to write appropriately and with my careful Ness
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