• This module focuses on writing clear and well-structured sentences and paragraphs. Students practice topic sentences, supporting details, coherence, unity, and transitions in academic writing.

    • Welcome to Week 2

      This week, you will zoom in on the building blocks of academic writing: clear sentences and well-structured paragraphs. A strong paragraph is more than a collection of sentences — it has a clear focus, logical flow, and effective use of transitions.

       

      By the end of this week, you will be able to:

      •     Write clear, grammatically accurate academic sentences

      •     Construct a unified paragraph with a strong topic sentence and supporting details

      •     Use cohesive devices and transitions to connect ideas

      •     Identify and correct problems with coherence and unity in academic paragraphs

       

      Activities this week: Screencasts, drag-and-drop interactive activity, a 150–200 word paragraph writing task, a peer discussion, and a knowledge check quiz.

      Open-Access Resources

      Video Resources

      1. "How to Write a Great Paragraph (TED-Ed)"

      Writing Skills: The Paragraph (Adam's English Lessons — engVid) This is one of engVid's most-watched academic writing videos, covering topic sentences, supporting details, and paragraph structure clearly and at the right level for first-year undergraduates. YouTube

      2. "Topic Sentences and Paragraph Structure (Smrt English)"

      How to Write a Paragraph (YouTube, 2020) Covers the standard five-sentence paragraph model: topic sentence, three supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence — straightforward and well-suited for beginners. YouTube

      3. "Coherence and Cohesion in Academic Writing (E2 IELTS)"

      Coherence & Cohesion in Academic Essay Writing (YouTube, March 2026) The most recent option — specifically focused on making academic essays flow naturally, covering both coherence and cohesion together. YouTube

      As a backup for the third one, Academic Writing: Cohesion & Coherence (YouTube, 2021) at also covers how ideas flow from one sentence to another — useful if you want a slightly slower-paced explanation.

      Reading Resources

      Purdue OWL: Paragraphs and Paragraphing: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/paragraphing/index.html

      Academic Phrasebank — Transition Phrases (University of Manchester): https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/

      Coherence in Writing — University of North Carolina Writing Center: https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/coherence/

    • Resources and Instructions Forum
      Students must
      Make forum posts: 1
      Receive a grade
      Receive a passing grade
    • Discussion Forum Prompt
      Students must
      Make forum posts: 1
      Receive a grade
      Receive a passing grade
    • Writing Task — Paragraph Submission Forum
      Students must
      Make forum posts: 1
      Receive a grade
      Receive a passing grade