How to Become a Good Writer (5cr)

Evaluation methods and criteria

Assignments, exercises The assessment of the course unit is pass/fail. (NOTE! If you complete the course unit instead of the Finnish for Working Life course, the course is assessed on a scale of good – satisfactory. Please contact the responsible teacher of the course in advance.) Successful completion The student submits the written assignments from the different sections successfully and participates actively in the online discussions of the course. Assessment criteria Pass The student’s vocabulary and grammar are sufficient to write understandable and relatively error-free text. The student demonstrates knowledge of the linguistic means required to produce clear and cohesive texts. The student demonstrates command of the differences between formal and informal language. The student recognises the formal requirements and principles of different text types and is able to take these into account in their own writing. The student is capable of producing and understanding texts relevant to their own field. The student is independently able to read fairly lengthy texts in their own discipline. The student is able to produce work-related texts related to their own field and expresses information and viewpoints relatively fluently. The student is able to independently assess and develop their own language skills. The student is able to receive feedback and apply it to their written output. Fail Errors in the student’s texts hinder comprehension significantly. The student is unable to produce clear and coherent text; instead, the output remains list-like and fragmented. The student fails to demonstrate awareness of the differences between formal and informal language, nor can they account for the requirements of formality in their writing. The student is unable to produce texts in their own field and does not demonstrate understanding of professional texts in their discipline. The student is unable to express themselves and their views in Finnish in an understandable manner. Assessment criteria (for students exempted from Swedish, who are substituting the Finnish for Working Life course unit). Assessment criteria for those substituting the Finnish for Working Life course unit: Good The student is able to use even demanding sentence structures and linguistic means to create clear and cohesive texts. The student demonstrates a strong command of the differences between formal and informal language use. The student understands the formal requirements and principles of different text types and is able to apply them in their writing. The student is able to produce clear, fluent, and purposeful texts in their own field. The student is independently able to read even lengthy texts in their discipline. The student can identify the main points of a text and recognise the author and the purpose of the text. The student can write clear and detailed texts and express information and opinions accurately. The student is able to independently assess and develop their own language proficiency. The student is able to respond to feedback and apply it to their written output. Satisfactory The student’s vocabulary and grammar are sufficient to write understandable and relatively error-free text. The student demonstrates knowledge of the linguistic means required to produce clear and cohesive texts. The student demonstrates command of the differences between formal and informal language. The student recognises the formal requirements and principles of different text types and is able to take these into account in their own writing. The student is capable of producing and understanding texts relevant to their own field. The student is independently able to read fairly lengthy texts in their own discipline. The student is able to produce work-related texts relevant to their own field and expresses information and viewpoints relatively fluently. The student is able to independently assess and develop their own language skills. The student is able to receive feedback and apply it to their written output. Fail Errors in the student’s texts hinder comprehension significantly. The student is unable to produce clear and coherent text; instead, the output remains list-like and fragmented. The student fails to demonstrate awareness of the differences between formal and informal language, nor can they account for the requirements of formality in their writing. The student is unable to produce texts in their own field and does not demonstrate understanding of professional texts in their discipline. The student is unable to express themselves and their views in Finnish in an understandable manner.

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Content scheduling

The course content consists of five modules for Bachelor’s degree students and six modules for Master’s degree students. The first three modules must be completed by 30 June 2026 in order to continue with the course. The study unit focuses on the development of written communication skills. The core content is as follows: - My writer profile: deepen your understanding of your knowledge, skills and attitudes as a writer - Different types of texts: become familiar with the concept of text genres - Language and text revision: refine your skills as a writer - Writing in the social and health care sector: become acquainted with the special features of written communication in the social and health care field - Academic writing: deepen your understanding of scientific writing

Objective

The students will be able to recognise their knowledge, skills and attitudes as a writer. They will understand the situational variation of language, and will be able to recognise and utilise different text types accordingly. Students will deepen their skills of language revision and editing, and will be able to analyse special features of written communication in health care and social services and academic writing. Students will be able to produce structured and clear professional texts.

Content

Constructing one’s identity as a writer. Getting acquainted with the principles of register in different genres. Revising and editing. Special features of written communication in health care and social services. Academic writing.

Location and time

The course will be implemented entirely as online studies on the Moodle platform during the summer semester 2026. Responsible teacher: Marianne Roivas

Materials

Material presented on the course platform in Moodle

Teaching methods

Exercises, assignments, Moodle discussions

Student workload

The Moodle course template will open on 26 May 2026 and close on 31 July 2026. The course content consists of five modules for bachelor’s degree students and six modules for master’s degree students. The first three modules must be completed by 30 June 2026 in order to continue with the course. All course assignments must be submitted to the Moodle workspace by 31 July 2026.

Qualifications

Vähintään suomen kielen taitotaso B1.