Overview

Analytical writing is not simply prose added after the analysis is complete. The structure of the argument should shape what evidence is collected, which charts are built and which uncertainties are addressed.

This course follows the full workflow from question formulation to sources, evidence, analysis, visual support, drafting and revision. Learners practice making the logic of an argument visible to the reader.

The approach is suitable for research notes, policy pieces, strategy articles and evidence-based public writing across the Gordon ecosystem.

Learning objectives

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

• turn a broad topic into a tractable analytical question;
• build an evidence plan before drafting;
• organize sections around claims rather than chronology;
• use charts and tables only when they advance the argument;
• distinguish sourced facts from inference and interpretation;
• revise for logical continuity, evidence quality and concise expression.

Intended participants and prerequisites

Course structure

The course is organised into six units. Each unit combines concise explanation, worked examples and short analytical exercises.

Unit	Subject	Principal questions
1	Question	What exactly should the article or report explain?
2	Evidence plan	Which sources and analyses are required before drafting?
3	Argument structure	How should claims be ordered so that each step follows from the previous one?
4	Charts and tables	When does a visual add evidence rather than decoration?
5	Drafting	How should facts, inference and uncertainty be distinguished in prose?
6	Revision	How can an analytical draft be stress-tested before publication?

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is delivered through concise lectures, technical notes, worked examples and guided exercises. AI-supported interaction may be used to explain concepts, generate additional practice and challenge a learner's reasoning, but assessment remains based on the learner's demonstrated understanding.

Component	Purpose	Weight
Short exercises	Check understanding of the principal concepts	40%
Applied investigation	Use the course framework on a new problem or dataset	30%
Final assessment	Integrated reasoning across the course	30%

A certificate of completion is issued only when the required assessments have been completed at the stated standard. Participation alone does not constitute completion.

Faculty

Materials and technical requirements

Learning environment

Learners need a current web browser and access to the Gordon learning platform. Where a course uses code, spreadsheets, datasets or external readings, the relevant requirements are identified inside the unit.

Course materials

Required readings, datasets and practice materials are identified within each unit. Public courses are designed so that required core materials can be accessed without a separate tuition charge.