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Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order

Approx. 20 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course teaches you the skills to write and edit effectively, from grammar and punctuation to style and tone. You'll learn how to grab your reader's attention and keep them engaged throughout your writing.

Key Learning Points

Learn the fundamentals of writing and editing
Understand how to write effectively for different audiences
Discover techniques for improving your writing style
Gain insights into the editing process
Develop your critical thinking skills

Learning Outcomes

Master the fundamentals of writing and editing
Develop your writing style and tone
Understand how to effectively edit and revise your work

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic writing skills
Access to a computer and internet

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

Self-paced
Online
Video lectures
Assignments
Quizzes

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Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Stephen King
J.K. Rowling

Related Books

Description

This course will teach you how to use your written words to become more persuasive. You’ll learn creative ways to use syntax, effective techniques for telling stories, and a clever method for arranging a complex series of information. You’ll also get a chance to both professionalize your use of punctuation and add a bit of style and sophistication to how you craft everything from sentences to slogans.

In addition, you’ll get access to a wide range of books and other resources you can use even after you finish the course. These include (1) the readings and exercises provided to the students who have taken the in-person version of this course at the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago; (2) two digital libraries of excellent writing from a diverse collection of journalists, scientists, novelists, poets, historians, and entrepreneurs; and (3) a monthly “Good Sentences” email. Social media has only accelerated the ways in which we all must learn to use our writing to connect, compete, and create—sometimes all at once. So join us for this first course in a four-part series and experience the many benefits, both personal and professional, of becoming “good with words.”

Knowledge

Learn how the words you choose can change the decisions people make
Use syntax strategically
Write with originality and produce sentences that nobody else can write
Arrange a complex set of information in a reader-friendly way

Outline

The Words Under the Words
Course Introduction
Making You More Persuasive
Errors and Insights
Mechanics and Strategy
Map to a Decision
Saints vs. Jerks
Better at Getting Better
S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Stretch Goals
Résumé Review
6-60-6
Technical and Tactical
Punctuation and Professionalism
Punctuation and Professionalism: Comma Splice
Notes on Nuance: "Un-"
Good Sentences
Reflection is a Team Sport
Student Takeaway: Words Under the Words
Student Takeaway: Better at Getting Better
Student Takeaway: T-Shaped
Student Takeaway: 6-60-6
Student Takeaway: Writing as Mapping
Teaching Style + Resources
Help Us Learn More About You!
Class Clips
Teachers vs. Readers
Exercise—Errors and Insights
Performing Under Pressure and Expressive Writing
The Words Under the Words (Concept)
The Words Under the Words (Examples)
Class Clips
"A Note About Me"
Exercise—S.M.A.R.T. Goals Self-Assessment
Exercise—Résumé Review
The Optimal Amount of Advocacy
Edit Our Edits
Notes on Nuance: "Un-"
Exercise—Good Sentences (Education)
Garbage In, Garbage Out
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Punctuation Practice: Comma Splices
Nuance Practice: "Un-"
Weekly Review (Graded)

The Infinite Power of Grammar
Previously On
Previously On: The Words Under the Words
Previously On: Deliberate Practice
Previously On: Mechanics and Strategy
Writing as Redecorating
The Infinite Power of Grammar
The Animal Farm Principle
Punctuation and Professionalism: "However"
Notes on Nuance: "Almost" and "Even"
Takeaways
Student Takeaway: Passive on Purpose
Student Takeaways: Positive No
Exercise—Previously On
The Infinite Power of Grammar (Concept)
The Infinite Power of Grammar (Examples)
Exercise—Interrupting Elements
Class Clips
Passive on Purpose
Positive No
Notes on Nuance: "Almost" and "Even"
Exercise—Good Sentences (Entrepreneurship)
Resource Request
Exercise—Takeaway Reflection
Low-Stakes Practice
Punctuation Practice: "However"
Nuance Practice: "Almost" and "Even"
Weekly Review (Graded)

The Rule of Three
Previously On
Previously On: Syntax
Previously On: The Animal Farm Principle
The Rule of Three
Punctuation and Professionalism: Adverbial Conjunctions
Notes on Nuance: "To"
Takeaways
Student Takeaway: Rule of Three
Exercise—Previously On
Class Clips
The Rule of Three (Concept)
The Rule of Three (Examples)
Alliteration, Restraint, and a Mind at Work
Alliteration: Fan Favorite?
Student-->Teacher (Optional)
Notes on Nuance : "To"
Exercise—Good Sentences (Criminal Law)
Exercise—Takeaway Reflection
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Alliteration
Punctuation Practice: Adverbial Conjunctions
Nuance Practice: "To"
Weekly Review (Graded)

The Power of the Particular
Previously On: Interleaving and "To"
Previously On: "Interleaving"
Previously On: "To"
The Power of the Particular
What Makes a Word "Real"?
Sentences Nobody Else Can Write
Sentences Nobody Else WOULD Write
S-H-A-P-E
The S-H-A-P-E Framework: Class Clip
Punctuation and Professionalism (Coordinating Conjunctions)
Notes on Nuance: Chiasmus
Student Takeaway: Earn Your Generalizations
Student Takeaway: Sincerity Takes a Few Drafts
Next Course
Exercise—Previously On
The Power of the Particular (Concept)
The Power of the Particular (Examples)
Exercise—Strive for Five
Exercise—"The Pleasures of Hating"
Exercise—Word Choice, Word Confusion
Exercise—Which vs. That
The Phenomenology of Error
Exercise—Me, Myself, and I
What Makes a Word "Real"?
Slang School
Class Clips
(Optional) Exercise—What Happens If You Win?
Notes on Nuance: Chiasmus
Chiasmus: Fan Favorite?
Exercise—Good Sentences (Food)
Book Recommendations
(Optional) Exercise—Thank You Letter
Keep Learning with Michigan Online
Course Feedback
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Low-Stakes Practice
Punctuation Practice (Coordinating Conjunctions)
Nuance Practice: Chiasmus
Weekly Review (Graded)

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the secrets of effective writing with the Writing, Editing, and Words course on Coursera. This course has received numerous positive reviews for its comprehensive approach to writing and editing skills. Many users found the course to be an excellent resource for improving their writing skills.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course is designed to provide learners with a practical understanding of the writing process and how to effectively edit their own work.

Pros from User Reviews

The course is well-structured and easy to follow
The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging
The assignments are challenging and help learners to develop their skills
The course covers a broad range of writing styles and genres
The course is free to enroll and offers valuable resources and feedback

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course material to be too basic
The course can be time-consuming and requires a significant commitment
The peer-review process for assignments can be inconsistent
Some users would have preferred more personalized feedback from instructors
The course may not be suitable for advanced writers looking for more specialized instruction

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