Academic Writing Texts and Courses

Introduction to academic writing is a complete semester-long course presented on a website. Although it targets English language learners, the focus on academic writing also makes it useful for adult literacy learners. In addition, all components can be modified, allowing you to delete some of the grammar sections. The website/course has the the following components:

Textbook/workbook in Docs that can be modified (4 units)

Slide presentations providing an overview and mini-lectures

Google Form quizzes

Course syllabus and schedule

Creative and free writing prompts

The textbook/course book is in Google Drive

License - CC-BY-NC-SA 

"Building Blocks of Academic Writing covers typical writing situations for developing academic writers, from prewriting and research through expressing themselves online. Developmental work in different types of paragraphs—descriptive, narrative, expository, persuasive—allows students to build capacity for longer essays. Each chapter includes review questions with a Canadian focus that instructors can assign to help students practise the skills developed in the text."

Level - British Columbia ABE Intermediate or approximately Grade 10

CC BY-NC 4.0 

The Excelsior Online Writing Lab is a comprehensive open educational course for college-level writing. We've featured a college-level resource to assist those who are preparing for post-secondary education and for those who have to meet more complex writing demands at work. Educators can easily pick and choose relevant sections. An online reading lab is also available and featured in our collection.

Check out the educator resources that will help you embed the materials in your course and quickly access topics using an index. A customization tool will help you create your own mini-collections or "owlets." Assessment rubrics at the college and university level are also available.

CC BY 4.0

You can access secondary courses through TV Ontario, all of which are designed to provide 110 hours of study. Although credits aren't awarded if one of these courses is completed, they could be used in various ways to

• Provide learners with engaging content

• Review a subject area

• Determine what course to choose for credit

• Prepare for the GED

• Achieve a personal goal.

You might also want to become familiar with the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course. Either the course or the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test must be completed to receive a diploma.

Copyrighted. Link sharing supported.

Level - Grades 9-12

Note on levels: Elementary courses are also available but topics, graphics, videos and activities are geared to children, and likely aren't suitable for adults.