Foundation Program

Academic Essay Basics

Build the foundational skills required for competitive essay writing. This 12-week program teaches the techniques used by John Locke shortlisted candidates: rigorous research, logical argumentation, and persuasive prose. Ideal for students new to academic writing who want to compete at the highest level.

Ages 12-18

24 hours

Live on Zoom

AED 3,200

USD 870

Schedule (Dubai Time)

Ages 14+: Thu 6-8 PM or Fri 4-6 PM

Ages 13 & under: Tue 6-8 PM or Sun 2-4 PM

Semester

2027 Cohorts

February or March 2027 start

Class Size

Max 8 students

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What You'll Learn

By the end of this course, students will have developed key skills in academic writing and research.

Write structured, well-researched academic essays that meet competition standards

Master MLA and Chicago citation formats (including proper endnote usage)

Develop original, arguable thesis statements that stand out to judges

Construct logical, evidence-based arguments with strong reasoning chains

Anticipate and address counter-arguments—a critical skill for shortlisting

Self-edit for clarity, concision, and persuasive style

12-Week Curriculum

Click each week to see what's covered

Understanding the difference between academic and casual writing. What competition judges look for: knowledge, evidence, argumentation, originality, and persuasive style.