For updated information on RRU’s response to COVID-19 please visit the RRU website.

Academic Writing and Critical Thinking - ONLINE

This course is designed to help learners continue to hone their writing, research and critical thinking skills. Through a series of selected readings and assignments, learners will develop a working understanding of the writing process, the rhetorical principles of voice and purpose that guide what and how one writes, and the basics of assessing research and academic argument. All assignments will be formatted and cited using APA conventions. Learners will receive on-going support on all assignments, including comments and guidance on revisions and drafts. Learn to work with team members to peer review assignments. This course is instructed by various RRU associate faculty.

This course focuses on how to write clearly, concisely, and academically. In addition, it will cover revising a text at various stages within the writing process. All assignments will be formatted and cited using APA conventions. There will be on-going support to students on their writing assignments, including comments and guidance on their revisions and drafts. Learners will also work with team members to peer review all assignments and engage in academic discourse through discussion forums. Please note that this course is not lecture-based.

This course does not have any required textbooks.

Please note that this is a rigorous academic writing course, and participants will require advanced English comprehension and writing skills to ensure successful completion. Participants should expect to set aside a minimum of 15-20 hours each week to focus on assignments.

If you are taking this course as a condition of admission to RRU: Please select a course offering that ends a minimum of five weeks prior to your program start date*. This should ensure sufficient turnaround time for clearing conditions. Please check with Admissions if you have any concerns. In order to clear your condition, you will be required to submit a copy of your grade confirmation letter to admissions@royalroads.ca or international.admissions@royalroads.ca.


*Humanitarian Studies students should select a course offering that ends a minimum nine weeks prior to their program start date.
As these courses do fill up quickly please register as soon as you are able.

REFUND POLICY: Full refunds will be granted up to the end of the 3rd day of the course, and deferrals may be granted before the course start date.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATIONS: Registrations from outside of Canada are available through PayMyTuition. PayMyTuition is an easy and convenient way for international students to make payments in their local currency from any bank and any country while accessing better exchange rates than at banking institutions.

Your course payment amount is $624.75 (includes applicable taxes)

To make a payment visit PayMyTuition.

Please note: It can take a minimum of 3-5 business days or longer for Royal Roads University to receive payment after the funds have left your account. Once Royal Roads has confirmed payment, you will be registered and receive any necessary course information emails.