Academic Writing and Critical Reading

This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Harvard Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.