Applied writing skills - online course in cooperation with the Bavarian Virtual University (vhb)
The idea
Writer's block or at least writing problems reduce the success of studies, indeed they are one of the most important factors for study problems, while on the other hand the success of a written exam or term paper, a presentation or a project presentation is significantly promoted by an effective linguistic design. What is usually misjudged: Writing can be learnt systematically. This begins with creativity, which is not only helpful when writing poetry, but is indispensable in every writing process, from brainstorming to the trenchant text design. And it doesn't end with experimenting with texts to systematically test one's own expressive possibilities.
Target group and realisation
The 'Applied Writing Skills' course is aimed at students from all subject areas who want to improve their language skills. Whether it is about better divisions, elegant essays or catchy screen texts, about 'conventional' text genres of academic writing, or also about newer forms, in which the written word must not least compete with the image: In 12 self-contained modules, the course attempts to teach basic skills that can be used in a variety of ways. In short presentations, accompanied by slides, the material is taught in historical and theoretical aspects, deepened in coordinated exercises, and discussed and revised in the virtual workshop.
The lessons
Lesson 1: Not only poets are creative - models of creativity
Lesson 2: How do I go about writing a text? - Process models
Lesson 3: How do I organise a text? - Structural models
Lesson 4: Who do I mean? - Audience orientation
Lesson 5: Who am I? - Individuality / profile / style
Lesson 6: "A good ending decorates everything!" - Introduction / reader interest / closing effect
Lesson 7: The sound of my sentences - language as sound material
Lesson 8: Vividness and imagery - metaphors in the text
Lesson 9: Competition or co-operation? - Image and text
Lesson 10: Contrasts and contours in the text - Relief
Lesson 11: Getting to the point - conciseness and asceticism
Lesson 12: The author as a collective - co-operative writing
Information and enrolment
The course is free of charge for students of the BVU's Bavarian partner universities and takes place every semester. For a brief insight, you can visit the demo course (external link, opens in a new window) with a sample lesson. Follow the link and select the course "Angewandte Schreibkompetenz -Demolektion". Information about BVU and how to register for the course can be found on the BVU (external link, opens in a new window) homepage.