Free College Writing Course

Develop your academic writing skills with this free College Writing course. Explore essential strategies for reading critically, writing clearly, and conducting effective research. Learn how to craft well-structured essays, build persuasive arguments, and properly cite sources using APA style. Whether you're preparing for college, ministry, or professional writing, this course provides the tools you need to communicate with clarity and confidence.

Course Overview:

This course provides college-level essay writing and research writing training rooted in critical and analytical reading.

Meet Your Professor:

Dr. Gabriela Tijerina-Pike - Professor of College Writing

Dr. Gabriela Tijerina-Pike was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. Since her youth, she has served in the church in various ministries of building and outreach. Her ministerial approach has focused on theological teaching in various seminars and biblical institutes, denominational and interdenominational. She obtained her Masters in Biblical Studies from the ESEPA Seminar, Costa Rica. In 2008, she obtained her Ph.D. in Biblical Exegesis at the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom. Since 2011, she has been a member of the Executive Board of Directors of the United World Mission agency. Together with her husband, Dr. Schuyler T. Pike, she writes the devotional biblical commentary, Vida En El (Living in Him), from Vida a Las Naciones publishing house. Since 2013, the publication is published monthly in Spanish. The Pikes currently live in Big Rapids, Michigan.

You will Learn and Grow in the Following Topics:

Acquire strategies to read efficiently and identify a text's important ideas.
Activate intellectual skills to understand and critically evaluate the assertions of a text.
Develop basic writing strategies (research, planning, summarizing, organizing, avoiding plagiarism, referencing, and proofreading).
Become proficient in key elements of essay writing (argument and discussion, cause and effect, definitions, style).
Pursue economy of language (precision, clarity, conciseness, academic vocabulary, word choice).
Learn to structure and develop an academic research paper (thesis development, evaluating sources, organizing, revising, and APA documentation).

What Other Students Are Saying....

“Through the college writing course, I have acquired essential skills in critical thinking, analytical reading, and effective writing. These skills will help me in my ministry as they will enable me to craft compelling sermons, Bible studies, and other ministerial materials that are well-researched, organized, and engaging. It will aid me in preparing in-depth biblical studies and theological papers. I liked the comprehensive approach to essay writing and research, which helped me develop a solid foundation in academic writing. And also, the course's emphasis on critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation of texts has boosted my ability to interpret Scripture and apply its principles effectively in my ministry.”

“In this class, I've learned the importance of clear and effective communication, which is essential for ministry. Skills in organizing thoughts, constructing compelling arguments, and engaging an audience will greatly aid in sermon preparation, writing ministry materials, and facilitating discussions. Learning to convey complex theological concepts in an accessible manner ensures that the message of the Gospel is understood and embraced by a diverse audience. I appreciated the practical exercises that allowed for hands-on learning and immediate application of concepts. The constructive feedback helped refine my writing skills, and the variety of topics kept the lessons engaging and relevant. The course's focus on both analytical and persuasive writing was particularly beneficial, as it provided a well-rounded approach to developing communication skills.”

“This class has strengthened my critical thinking skills, which are essential for evaluating arguments, interpreting scripture, and responding to theological discussions. It has taught me how to analyze rhetorical strategies to communicate biblical messages effectively and persuasively. Additionally, the emphasis on research writing has improved my ability to structure well-supported arguments, cite credible sources, and engage in meaningful discussions. Learning how to plan and organize a paper has also been valuable, as it helps in crafting structured sermons, ministry newsletters, and theological essays. This skill will be especially useful in preparing sermons, devotionals, and apologetics materials with logical flow and clarity. I appreciated the course’s structured approach to rhetorical analysis, research writing, and argument development."

Number of Students Who Have Completed This Course

Join over 900,000 enrolled CLI students online and take the next step in your spiritual formation.

Strengthen Your Writing with Our Free College Writing Course

Looking to sharpen your academic writing skills? Our free college writing course is designed to help you read critically, write effectively, and research with confidence. Whether you’re preparing for higher education or want to improve your communication skills for ministry or professional settings, this course provides the foundation you need.

In this course, you’ll explore:

Strategies for efficient reading and identifying key ideas in a text
Techniques for evaluating and responding to arguments
Fundamentals of essay writing, from planning to proofreading
Principles of clarity, conciseness, and academic style
Research paper development, including thesis building and APA citation

This free college writing course is ideal for students pursuing a degree, as well as anyone seeking to grow in academic writing and critical thinking. Enroll today and gain the confidence to write with precision and purpose!