Writing for Exams: From Paragraphs to Powerful Texts
HAKAmstettenTurn your ideas into clear, convincing and well-structured English texts.
In this self-paced course, you will develop the writing skills you need for classroom assignments, exams and the Austrian English Matura. You will learn how to analyse a writing task, plan your text and build effective paragraphs with clear topic sentences, relevant supporting ideas and suitable examples.
Step by step, you will explore how to connect ideas, write effective introductions and conclusions, adapt your language to your audience and revise your own work. You will also become familiar with the key features and structures of the most important Matura text types:
- blog posts
- blog comments
- articles
- emails
- reports
- leaflets
Short videos, infographics, practical examples and interactive activities will guide you through the writing process. Regular checkpoints will help you test your understanding and apply what you have learned.
By the end of the course, you will be able to plan, write and improve a complete exam-style text with greater confidence.
Recommended level: B2
Target: Develop your writing from B2 towards C1
Estimated workload: approximately 10 hours
Course format: self-paced and fully online
Requirements
This course is designed for students with an English level of approximately B2. You should be able to understand English instructions and write short, structured texts in English.
No previous knowledge of the individual Matura text types is required. You will need regular access to a computer or tablet with an internet connection and should be prepared to complete short writing and revision tasks independently.
Course Staff
Staff Member #1
René Bremböck
Principal and English Teacher, HAK Amstetten
Biography
René Bremböck is the principal of HAK Amstetten and an experienced English teacher. He has supported students in developing their English language and writing skills and in preparing for the Austrian English Matura. In this course, he guides learners through the writing process with practical explanations, examples and strategies for producing clear, effective and reader-focused texts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What web browser should I use?
The Open edX platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari. Please make sure that your browser is up to date.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for HAK students who want to improve their English writing skills and prepare for written assignments and the Austrian English Matura.
What level of English do I need?
You should have an English level of approximately B2. The course consolidates essential writing skills and helps you develop your writing towards C1.
How long does the course take?
The estimated workload is approximately ten hours. As the course is self-paced, you can work through the units at your own speed.
Which text types are covered?
The course covers blog posts, blog comments, articles, emails, reports and leaflets. You will learn about their purpose, structure, register and key language features.
Do I have to complete the units in order?
Yes. The units build on each other. You must successfully complete each unit checkpoint before continuing to the next unit.
Can I repeat the unit checkpoints?
Yes. You can repeat the checkpoints if necessary. You need to achieve at least 80% to unlock the next unit.
Will I have to write complete texts?
Yes. In addition to short interactive activities, you will plan, write, check and revise exam-style texts. The final unit brings all stages of the writing process together.
Do I need any additional materials?
No additional textbook is required. All essential explanations, examples, videos, infographics and writing tools are provided in the course. You may find it useful to keep a digital or paper writing notebook for your own examples and notes.
Will my writing be automatically assessed?
Automatically graded activities will check your understanding of text structure, register and writing strategies. Longer texts cannot be assessed fully automatically and may include self-assessment, peer feedback or feedback from your teacher.