⭐ EFIKO Original · Free micro-certificate
Academic Writing Essentials
Write clear, credible, and well-structured university papers
Start this free courseThis beginner-friendly course helps university students build the core skills needed to write strong academic papers. Through practical, mobile-friendly sessions, you will learn how to understand assignments, structure your writing, build clear arguments, use sources responsibly, and edit your work to a polished standard. Designed for African university contexts, the course uses relatable examples and short activities you can complete offline, on any device.
What you'll learn
- Explain the key features and expectations of academic writing.
- Analyze an assignment prompt to identify its task, scope, and audience.
- Construct a clear thesis statement and well-organized paragraphs.
- Apply basic citation and referencing to avoid plagiarism.
- Evaluate and revise a draft for clarity, coherence, and grammar.
Course sessions
- What Makes Writing Academic. Academic writing is formal, objective, evidence-based, and structured, aimed at scholarly readers, and appears in genres like essays, repor…
- Understanding the Assignment. Decode every prompt by underlining the task word, identifying content and scope, and checking the rules, then write a one-sentence thesis t…
- Structure and the Thesis Statement. A clear essay rests on an arguable, specific thesis, supported by PEE paragraphs inside an introduction-body-conclusion structure.
- Using Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism. Cite sources whenever you borrow words, ideas, or data; use quotes, paraphrases, or summaries responsibly; and apply APA with matching in-t…
- Editing, Clarity, and Grammar. Editing in three focused passes - structure, grammar, and clarity - plus reading aloud transforms a rough draft into a polished, error-free…
Sample lesson: What Makes Writing Academic
Academic writing is how scholars share ideas backed by evidence. Its purpose is to inform, analyse, or argue a point clearly, and its audience is usually lecturers, examiners, or fellow researchers who expect precision. Four features define it: 1. Formality: avoid slang, contractions, and chatty phrases. Instead of "k…
Competencies you'll gain
- Interpreting assignment prompts to plan focused responses
- Structuring essays with a clear thesis and organized paragraphs
- Citing and referencing sources with academic integrity
- Self-editing drafts for clarity, coherence, and correctness
Frequently asked questions
Is the Academic Writing Essentials course free?
Yes. Academic Writing Essentials is a free EFIKO Original micro-certificate course — you can learn it at no cost and earn a verifiable certificate on completion.
Do I get a certificate for Academic Writing Essentials?
Yes. Pass the final assessment and you earn a verifiable EFIKO certificate with a QR code and public verification link, listing the competencies you achieved.
How long does Academic Writing Essentials take?
About 5 hours across 5 short sessions, each with a lesson, quiz and flashcards. You can learn at your own pace, even offline.
Who is Academic Writing Essentials for?
It is designed for university students, at a beginner level. No prior experience is assumed.