Course Description

Mastering the Art of Written Expression: A Comprehensive Guide to Grammar, Spelling, and Effective Writing

It's often said that effective communication is the key to success, yet many of us find ourselves stumbling over the very basics we once mastered in our early educational years. Think back to elementary and middle school when the foundations of grammar and spelling were etched into our minds. But as the years went on, especially during high school and beyond, the emphasis on these foundations began to wane. It became an assumption that we retained all those rules. Unfortunately, life's rapid pace and technological advancements, with auto-corrections and abbreviations, have blurred the lines of proper writing for many.

Introducing our meticulously designed course: a deep dive into the nuances of the English language tailored for both beginners and those seeking a refresher. Whether you're an aspiring novelist, a business professional aiming to enhance your email correspondence, or simply an individual looking to express thoughts more articulately, our program caters to your needs.

What Makes Our Course Unique?

  1. Holistic Approach: Beyond just imparting the basic rules of grammar and spelling, we venture into style, structure, and common pitfalls in writing. You'll not only revisit those "minor details" but also learn the mechanics of assembling them into coherent, persuasive, and engaging pieces of writing.

  2. Self-Paced and Interactive: Understandably, everyone learns at their own speed. Our course's online structure ensures flexibility. Engage with interactive assignments, participate in polls, and deep-dive into documents and resources to enrich your learning.

  3. Hands-On Guidance: While the course might be online, you are never alone in your journey. Our dedicated instructor will be actively involved in grading assignments, clarifying doubts, and offering personalized guidance through email.

  4. Real-World Application: Each lesson is designed with applicability in mind. For instance, in Lesson 5, not only will you understand the age-old confusion between "ie" and "ei", but you'll also discern when to use which, through practical examples. Or, delve deep into the world of punctuation in Lesson 18, and understand how colons and semicolons can transform the clarity and rhythm of a sentence.

  5. Comprehensive Curriculum: From the basics like common misspellings and plural forms to more advanced topics such as refining sentences, constructing compelling paragraphs, and mastering dialogue, our 26-lesson curriculum ensures a 360-degree understanding of written English.

Course Highlights:

  • Lesson 3: Unravel a list of commonly misspelled words, complete with tricks to remember them.

  • Lesson 8: Homonyms can be tricky. Dive into understanding the difference between words like 'principal' and 'principle'.

  • Lesson 13 & 14: Discover the power of phrases and clauses to add depth and complexity to your sentences.

  • Lesson 20: Quotation marks can be deceptive. Learn their correct usage, especially in intricate situations like quotations within quotations.

  • Lesson 25: Proofreading isn't just about catching errors; it's an art. Develop a keen eye for inconsistencies and learn techniques to perfect your drafts.

The world of written communication is vast, intricate, and beautiful. Every word, when used accurately, has the power to evoke emotions, persuade minds, or simply convey information clearly. With our course, embrace the opportunity to hone this skill and navigate the landscape of language with confidence and finesse. Come, join us on this enlightening journey, and see the transformation in your writing unfold.

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Identify and describe the eight parts of speech, including their functions and use within sentences.
  • Recognize and apply appropriate grammar and punctuation rules to enhance writing clarity and effectiveness.
  • Define the rules for converting singular nouns ending in 'y' to their plural forms.
  • Identify the exceptions to the general rule for converting singular nouns ending in 'f' or 'o' to their plural forms.
  • Demonstrate the ability to correctly use commonly confused words such as 'affect' and 'effect' in a sentence with 80% accuracy.
  • Identify and spell correctly 90% of the listed commonly misspelled words by circling those difficult to spell and practicing them three times.
  • Define the correct method for forming the plural of names ending in s, sh, ch, x, or z by adding 'es' without using an apostrophe
  • Identify the correct part of a compound word to pluralize by focusing on the main noun within the compound structure#
  • Identify the correct spelling of words by applying the 'I before E except after C' rule and recognizing exceptions like 'neither' and 'weird.'
  • Memorize and recall words that end with '-ceed,' '-cede,' and the exception '-sede' by using examples such as 'proceed,' 'concede,' and 'supersede.'
  • Analyze root word endings and apply appropriate suffix rules to accurately transform words while maintaining phonetic integrity.
  • Identify and apply the correct rules for adding prefixes to root words without altering their original spelling.
  • Identify and define at least five common prefixes and their meanings as used in English vocabulary.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 
 

Assessment Guide

Assessment Points
Introduction Assignment 1 points
Lesson 2 Exam 10 points
Spelling 3-1 Exercise 20 points
Spelling 3-2 Exercise 15 points
Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise A 20 points
Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise B 15 points
Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise C 20 points
Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise D 15 points
Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise E 10 points
Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise F 20 points
Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise G 20 points
Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise H 7 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise A 20 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise B 9 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise C 20 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise D 15 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise E 10 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise F 15 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise G 20 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise H 19 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise I 9 points
Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise J 8 points
Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise A 10 points
Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise B 20 points
Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise C 20 points
Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise D 20 points
Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise E 12 points
Lesson 7 Spelling Exercise A 20 points
Lesson 7 Spelling Exercise B 20 points
Lesson 8 Spelling Exercise A 20 points
Lesson 8 Spelling Exercise B 10 points
Lesson 8 Spelling Exercise C 16 points
Lesson 8 Spelling Exercise D 10 points
Spelling Test 9 - Subject-Verb Agreement 10 points
Lesson 9 Exam 10 points
Lesson 10 Exercise: Find the Verb 15 points
Lesson 10 Exercise: Simple Present Verb Tenses 10 points
Lesson 10 Exercise: Irregular Verbs 10 points
Lesson 10 Exam 6 points
Lesson 11 Exercise: Find the Subject Noun 10 points
Lesson 11 Exercise: Using the Correct Pronoun 10 points
Lesson 11 Exercise: Pronoun Substitution 10 points
Lesson 11 Exercise: Correct Pronoun Use 8 points
Lesson 11 Exam 11 points
Lesson 12 Exercise: Identifying Adjectives and Adverbs 20 points
Lesson 12 Exercise: Comparative and Superlative Adjectives 10 points
Lesson 12 Exam 12 points
Lesson 13 Exercise: Identify the Preposition 20 points
Lesson 13 Exam 14 points
Lesson 14 Exam 11 points
Lesson 15 Exercise: Sentence Punctuation 10 points
Lesson 15 Exam 10 points
Lesson 16 Exam 19 points
Lesson 17 Exercise: Using Apostrophes 10 points
Lesson 17 Exam 12 points
Lesson 18 Exam 8 points
Lesson 19 Exercise: Hyphen Usage 10 points
Lesson 19 Exam 9 points
Lesson 20 Exam 8 points
Lesson 21 Assignment 10 points
Lesson 21.2 Assignment 20 points
Lesson 22.1 Assignment - Paragraph Writing 20 points
Lesson 22.2 Assignment - Paragraph Writing 20 points
Lesson 23 Assignment - Narrative Paragraph 20 points
Lesson 23.2 Assignment - Descriptive Paragraph 20 points
Lesson 23.3 Assignment 5 points
Lesson 24 Assignment - Dialogue Writing 20 points
Lesson 25 Assignment 10 points
Final Assignment - Three Paragraph Essay 25 points
The Final Exam 74 points
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