free online classes for creative writing

11 free online writing courses for getting real good at words

Writing is a much-prized skill and a difficult one to master and, while some are naturally gifted in stringing sentences together, we all need to take the time to learn the craft.

Whether you want to write your first novel , pen a poignant poem, pull together a screenplay, or create better business content, there is a free, online course out there to help. We've rounded up a list of free, online writing courses so you can find the perfect program of study to help you write gooderer.

1. Rhetoric: The art of persuasive writing and public speaking (Harvard X)

This eight-week online writing course is an introduction to the theory and practice of rhetoric, the art of persuasive writing and speech. Using selected speeches from prominent 20th-century Americans — including Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, Margaret Chase Smith, and Ronald Reagan — to explore and analyze rhetorical structure and style, this course will teach you when and how to employ a variety of rhetorical devices in writing and speaking.

It also covers how to differentiate between argument and rhetorical technique, how to write a persuasive opinion editorial, and how to evaluate and identify strengths of logical fallacies in arguments.

2. Creative writing: The craft of plot (Wesleyan University)

This short course can be completed in one day and is one of five modules in Wesleyan University's Creative Writing offerings.

In this writing course, aspiring wordsmiths will be introduced to the concept of plot. You will learn what keeps it moving and how it can manipulate readers’ feelings, expectations, and desires. The course examines the choices storytellers make to snag people's imaginations, drag them into a fictional world, and keep them there. You will learn how to outline and structure a plot, discuss narrative arc, pacing and reversals, and reveal the inevitable surprise: connecting the beginning, middle, and end.

3. Business writing techniques (DoaneX)

Do you want an intensive writing course? This class that can take up to eight hours a week for four weeks, but the learning is self-paced so you do have some flexibility. It will help you to study the different communication styles and discuss the best practices of business writing by providing real-world scenarios and applications.

You will examine how to use the six Cs (spoiler: consideration, clarity, conciseness, coherence, correctness, and confidence) to enhance your business messages. This contemporary course also looks at the proper etiquette of business writing, and examines the use of emoji in business communications.

4. Songwriting: Writing the lyrics (Berklee College of Music)

Described as "an invitation to let your inner songwriter step into the sunlight," this online writing class will have you singing a tune (or that's the goal).

If you haven't written any or many songs, it promises to show you an efficient, effective process for tailoring songs to express your ideas and emotions. If you have, you’ll look at your process differently, taking control of aspects of the process you may have not noticed. This course will get you working both lyrically and musically, although it’s not necessary that you either read music or play an instrument — the course offers you a number of musical loops to work with that you can sing your melodies over. During this course you will create lyrics and/or melodies for peer review.

5. Writing successfully for the stage (University of Cambridge)

This course will teach you to structure your dramatic writing to a professional standard, as well as develop professionally transferable communication skills. This course is designed to improve your understanding of how to write engaging and interesting stories in order to attract producers and directors to your work.

You will be taught how to write effective dialogue, and how to edit your work. This course looks at the work of Brecht, Richard Schechner, Augusto Boal, Japanese Noh theatre, and other forms of theatre from around the world.

You will be sent writing exercises over the course of the module, keep a creativity journal, and by the end of the course you will have completed a plan for the structure of a new play.

6. How to write an essay (University of California, Berkeley)

This course is described as an introduction to academic writing, focusing on essay development, grammatical correctness, and self-editing. This five-week course includes a review of basic grammar terminology and understanding, writing effective sentences and paragraphs, how to tackle writing introductions and conclusions, strategies for writing longer texts, and thesis statements. The course materials will be offered via readings and videos and you will participate in online discussions. You will complete an essay for this course.

7. Stand up: Comedy writing and performance poetry (University of Cambridge)

This course will give you specialized knowledge of histories, forms, and traditions of writing for stand-up comedy/performance poetry, as well as the cultural contexts of innovative practitioners and practices within stand-up comedy/performance poetry. You will study contemporary critical, analytical, and narrative theories of stand-up comedy/performance poetry. It will arm you with detailed understanding of key performance components within the discipline, including ideational sources, body, space, image, sound, text, movement, and environment. This course aims to develop advanced self-management skills to include working in planned and improvisatory ways, as well as the ability to anticipate and accommodate change, ambiguity, creative risk-taking, uncertainty, and unfamiliarity.

8. Memoir and personal essay: Write about yourself (Wesleyan University)

This course will teach you "how to write about yourself … so that someone else wants to read it." This is the heart of this specialization in memoir and personal essay from Wesleyan University.

You will get tips, prompts, exercises, readings, and challenges to help you imagine, construct, and write compelling pieces of non-fiction's most popular form: the personal narrative. Coursera says learners will develop a toolset to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys) and write the story of their life. As a result of taking this course, you will collect a portfolio of work that you can use as components of your memoir or essay.

9. Screenwriting: Building your Screenplay (University of Cambridge)

This course will teach you how to build a screenplay and the ins and outs of becoming a professional screenwriter. It's an intermediate course that requires no previous knowledge of screenwriting. The course will focus on visual storytelling, screenplay structure, and character development and how those work together to convey the central meaning of your work. It will also teach you concrete skills like script-editing, time management, and how to work as a screenwriter. In addition you will gain knowledge the history of film and film theory.

10. Become a journalist: Report the news (Michigan State University)

This course is a specialization that's part of a journalism study program from Michigan State University that's designed to develop and enhance your understanding of the global field of journalism.

You'll learn best practices and ethical standards for news gathering processes and compiling a news report through hands-on projects, peer-to-peer feedback, and issue exploration. You will also study journalism's impact on societal issues and trends, plus explore career opportunities in newspapers, magazines, social media, Internet multimedia, television, radio, corporate, and community journalism.

11. Write your first novel (Michigan State University)

This is a beginner level 26-week course that will guide you through the process of writing your first novel. The course boasts that you will leave the class with a 50,000 page manuscript. By breaking down the writing process and providing you with deadlines, the course can help make writing a novel a less daunting pursuit. It even schedules writing breaks for you. Additionally, the course will provide you with the space for peer review.

This post was originally published in April 2021 and was updated in January 2022.

Additional reporting by Elena Cavender.

Amy-Mae is a freelance writer covering tech at Mashable.

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65 Best Free Creative Writing Classes in 2024

Showing 65 courses that match your search.

Blogging for Business

A free course teaching how to start and grow a blog past 100,000 visitors, focusing on content marketing strategies and effective blogging techniques.

Website: https://ahrefs.com/academy/

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Legally Blogs

Blogging for New Bloggers

This free course teaches bloggers about legal requirements, compliance to avoid lawsuits, copyright protection, necessary legal pages, GDPR and CCPA compliance, and income tracking.

Website: https://school.bloggingfornewbloggers.com/

Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop

California Institute of the Arts

The course focuses on writing poetry through a variety of exercises, peer feedback, and discussions. It encourages students to explore their personal voice and develop their poetry skills.

Website: https://www.coursera.org/

How to Write a Novel

Your story matters. Unlock your potential with daily video lessons from bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley, and finish your first draft in just 3 months. Learn more →

Poetry Workshop

Green Street Poetry

The workshop fosters collaboration and provides a constructive environment for sharing, editing, and discussing poetry. Participants can bring a poem for critique or simply join the discussion.

Website: https://www.greenstreetpoetry.com/workshop

Duke Graduate School Scientific Writing Resource

Duke University

An online resource aimed at improving scientific writing skills, focusing on communication principles tailored for scientific literature. It includes lessons on sentence structure, cohesion, conciseness, and revision strategies.

Website: https://sites.duke.edu/scientificwriting/

Prerequisites: Intended for graduate-level science students.

College Writing 2.1x

In this course, English Language Learners will be introduced to academic writing, focusing on essay development, grammatical accuracy, and self-editing. The course includes reviews of grammar, crafting effective sentences and paragraphs, developing thesis statements, and participating in peer reviews.

Website: https://www.edx.org/course/how-to-write-an-essay

Tech Writing for Accessibility

Google Developers

This course teaches how to make documentation and websites more accessible, focusing on inclusive design principles, writing helpful alt text for diagrams, and checking color contrast. It includes hands-on exercises and class discussions.

Website: https://developers.google.com/tech-writing/accessibility

Technical Writing One

This course teaches the fundamentals of technical writing, focusing on clear documentation, active voice usage, sentence clarity, and audience identification. It includes pre-class and in-class components for comprehensive learning.

Website: https://developers.google.com/tech-writing/one

Technical Writing Two

The course covers intermediate topics in technical writing, including drafting strategies, self-editing techniques, document organization, and effective use of illustrations and sample code.

Website: https://developers.google.com/tech-writing/two

Poetry Club Meetup!

Miami Poetry Club

Bi-monthly no-cost community workshops focusing on creative writing and feedback sessions, designed to support writers of all levels.

Website: https://www.miamipoetryclub.org/

Niche Authority Hacker Course

HerPaperRoute

In this course, participants will learn how to brand themselves as authorities in their niche, with content tailored for both beginners and more experienced individuals, helping them establish a strong presence in their chosen field.

Website: https://herpaperroute.com/free-blogging-courses/

Learn How to Start a Blog and Create a Blogging Strategy for Your Business

Hubspot Academy

The course provides insights into starting and maintaining a blog, developing an effective blogging strategy, engaging an audience, and enhancing business visibility through blogging.

Website: https://academy.hubspot.com/

How to choose a free creative writing class

Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that book you’ve been working on? You’re in the right place. That’s why we built this directory of the best creative writing courses.

However, creative writing classes aren’t one size fit all. If you’re planning to join a free writing class in particular, you’ll want to make sure that it matches what you’re seeking to learn about creative writing.

So make sure to consider the following questions when you’re researching free writing courses:

• Who is the instructor? How many years of experience do they have in creative writing?
• Is there something in particular you’d like to learn about creative writing? Does this course include it?
• How long is the course, and where is it taught?
• Are there any hidden fees advertised in this free creative writing class?

More free creative writing resources

Whether you’re a new or established author, there are always evergreen resources out there to how to get a headstart on writing a book. 

Free online materials

• Creative Writing Prompts (resource)
• How to Self-Publish a Book (blog post)
• How to Publish a Novel (blog post)
• How to Edit a Book (blog post)

Recommended books

• For writers in the UK:  Writers' & Artists' Yearbook  
• For writers in the US:  Writer’s Market 2020

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Creative Writing Courses and Certifications

Learn Creative Writing, earn certificates with paid and free online courses from Harvard, Stanford, University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins and other top universities around the world. Read reviews to decide if a class is right for you.

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Class Central's Top Creative Writing Courses

We've picked the best online courses to learn Creative Writing from the Class Central catalog.

Some courses are concise and get you up to speed in no time, others will be more comprehensive.

Creative Writing

Creative writing: the craft of plot, neil gaiman teaches the art of storytelling, complete creative writing - all genres - the full course, creative writing for all: a 10-day journaling challenge, relato corto de ficción: escribe desde tu experiencia personal, write your book: start strong and get it done, writing: the craft of story, creative writing: crafting personal essays with impact, start writing fiction.

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• Intermediate (7)
• Advanced (4)
• < 30 mins (106)
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• English (401)
• Bengali (1)
• Chinese (2)
• German (12)
• Italian (4)
• Japanese (1)
• Portuguese (13)
• Romanian (1)
• Spanish (68)
• Turkish (3)

Discover the art of crafting compelling plots, from structure and scene-building to character development and revision techniques. Enhance your storytelling skills and bring your narratives to life.

• 5 hours 50 minutes
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description

In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to the techniques that masters of fiction use to ground a story in a concrete world. From the most realist settings to the most fantastical, writers will learn how to describe the physical world in shar…

• 7 hours 25 minutes

Creative Writing: The Craft of Character

At the center of a good story are the characters in it. In this course aspiring writers will discover how to build and bring to life complex, vivid and unforgettable characters.

• 6 hours 23 minutes

Creative Writing: The Craft of Style

Enhance your writing style through metaphor, imagery, and word choice. Learn revision techniques to create compelling stories and polished prose.

• 7 hours 44 minutes

I'm Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers. Learn about plot, wordbuilding, short stories, character, and publishing.

• Free Online Course

Develop your storytelling skills across short story, narrative essay, and memoir genres. Master techniques for plot, character, setting, and style through analysis and peer evaluation. Create a substantial original piece in your chosen genre.

• 26 weeks, 1 hour a week
• Paid Course

Learn to write engaging Fiction, Poetry, Drama, & Creative Non-Fiction and become the successful writer you want to be

• 12 hours 8 minutes

Writing a Book: Creative Writing Skills for Beginners

Writing a Book: Creative writing skills: Novel/Nonfiction book writing: Punctuation: Outlining: Fantasy world building

• 1 day 5 hours 53 minutes

Develop Blockbuster Story Ideas that Sell! (Writing Mastery)

Proven methods to unleash your creativity and brainstorm bestselling, high concept book and movie ideas

Creative Writing: how to write a novel. The full course.

A full creative writing course: create engaging characters, use a 3 act narrative structure and write smart dialogues.

Creative Writing Bootcamp: Start a Brand New Story

Energetic bootcamp with best-selling author Myla Goldberg. Five engaging exercises to generate story ideas, develop characters, craft dialogue, and create vivid settings. Ideal for writers seeking inspiration and new approaches.

• Free Trial Available

Creative Writing Project: Brainstorm Your Story

Unlock your story's potential through guided brainstorming. Learn to differentiate plot from story, generate compelling ideas, and create a solid foundation for your creative writing project.

Creative Personal Writing: Write the Real You

Explore personal writing with Ashley C. Ford. Learn to craft compelling essays from memories, report on yourself, and share your experiences through practical frameworks and inspiring prompts.

Creative Writing - Writer's Block Workbook Volume 1 Month 1

Five weeks' worth of beginnings to create 100+ new pieces with tips to help your writing ongoing. Plus bonus content.

• 2 hours 21 minutes

Creative Writing - Writer's Block Workbook Volume 2 Month 1

Five weeks' worth of keywords to create 100+ new pieces with tips to help your writing ongoing. Plus bonus content.

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Online Courses

Online courses: creative writing.

Stanford Continuing Studies' online creative writing courses make it easy to take courses taught by instructors from Stanford’s writing community. Thanks to the flexibility of the online format, these courses can be taken anywhere, anytime—a plus for students who lead busy lives or for whom regular travel to the Stanford campus is not possible. These courses are open to all adults, and we encourage all levels of writers to enroll.

Basic Writing & Composition

English Grammar and Style

University of Queensland via edX Learn key concepts and strategies in grammar and style to help enhance your writing and confidently respond to the demand of high levels of literacy in the 21st century.

English Composition I

Duke University via Coursera

You will gain a foundation for college-level writing valuable for nearly any field.

Conjunctions, Connectives, and Adverb Clauses

University of California, Irvine via Coursera

In this course, you will learn about a lot of different ways to join ideas to make more complex and interesting sentences.

Verb Tenses and Passives

In this course, you will review the verb tenses that you learned in beginning English classes and learn about a few tenses you may not know very well.

Perfect Tenses and Modals

In this course, you will learn about important intermediate verb tenses, including present perfect, present perfect progressive, past perfect, and past perfect progressive. You will also learn about common modal verbs used in English.

English Composition: Research and Writing

Arizona State University via edX

Learn how to design, develop, research, and execute a writing project from inception to completion in this credit-eligible course.

Creative Writing

Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop

California Institute of the Arts via Coursera

We’ll cover key poetic terms and devices by studying poems by a handful of modern and contemporary poets and then get a chance to try our own hand at writing new poem drafts from a select number of prompts.

Start Writing Fiction

The Open University via FutureLearn

Get started with your own fiction writing, focusing on the central skill of creating characters, with this hands-on course.

Creative Writing: The Craft of Style

Wesleyan University via Coursera

In this course we will introduce aspiring writers to the art of putting pressure on written language. We will study the use of metaphor and imagery, and demonstrate how clarity, grace, and inventiveness in word choice are imperative to a story’s success. Writers will emerge with the revision skills essential to all writers of good stories and good prose.

Adventures in Writing

Stanford University via Stanford OpenEdx

Welcome to Adventures in Writing, a series of graphic-novel style learning modules designed to help you learn more about and practice a range of effective written communication skills.

Writing in First Person Point of View

If you have always wanted to tell your own story—in a memoir, first-person essay, or any other form of autobiographical non-fiction—but felt you lacked the tools or the framework, this is the class for you. We will learn how successful first-person writing is structured to offer the reader a sense of propulsive motion, and is guided by a narrator who is deliberately crafted.

Writing For Young Readers

How To Make A Poem

Manchester University via FutureLearn

Learn how to ‘make’ your own poetry by exploring different poetic techniques and styles.

Grant Writing and Crowdfunding for Public Libraries

Learn how to increase your impact, innovate, and overcome often static funding through various fundraising and grant writing approaches.

Business Writing

Specialized Grant Writing Resources & Courses

How to Succeed at: Writing Applications

The University of Sheffield via FutureLearn

This free three week course will help you produce a perfect CV, application and online profile when applying for a job or course.

Academic and Business Writing

University of California, Berkeley via edX An introduction to academic and business writing for English Language Learners, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, structure, editing, and publication.

Writing Professional Email and Memos (Project-Centered Course)

University System of Georgia via Coursera

At the end of this course, you will be a more confident writer, able to create higher quality professional documents more quickly. This course is at the introductory or beginner level and focuses on mastering the basics of email etiquette and communication.

University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera

This course will teach you how to apply the top ten principles of good business writing to your work, how to deploy simple tools to dramatically improve your writing, and how to execute organization, structure, and revision to communicate more masterfully than ever.

Write Professional Emails in English

Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera

This is a course to help you write effective business emails in English.

High-Impact Business Writing

Effective writing is a powerful tool in the business environment. Learn how to articulate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner that will allow your ideas to be better understood by your readers.

English for Effective Business Writing

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via Coursera

This course aims to improve your Business English writing skills by developing your use of vocabulary, grammar, understanding of different business writing genres, and your ability to write professional business documents.

University of Michigan via edX Learn how to increase your impact, innovate, and overcome often static funding through various fundraising and grant writing approaches.

Effective Business Writing

University of California, Berkeley via edX Learn best practices and approaches to writing effective business letters, emails, and reports. Format, composition, and clarity are emphasized.

Occupational

How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course)

State University of New York via Coursera

What you’ll achieve: In this project-centered course*, you will craft an essential cornerstone of the modern-day job or internship search: the resume. You’ll review resume best practices and explore current trends with guidance from a professional career counselor and recruiter, and you’ll exchange structured feedback with your peers as you work to polish your own resume.

Craft Your Cover Letter

via Udacity

Write a compelling narrative that showcases your value to the company.

Refresh Your Resume

Grow with Google via Udacity

Create a targeted resume that gets the attention of recruiters and lands you an interview in tech.

Technical & Applied Writing

Technical Report Writing for Engineers

Get an introduction to technical report writing. Find out how to communicate your ideas through well-written engineering reports.

Writing in the Sciences

Stanford University via Coursera

This course teaches scientists to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises. Topics include: principles of good writing, tricks for writing faster and with less anxiety, the format of a scientific manuscript, peer review, grant writing, ethical issues in scientific publication, and writing for general audiences.

Applied & Technical Writing 

Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics

Berklee College of Music via Coursera

There’s a songwriter lurking somewhere inside you, peeking around corners, wondering if it’s safe to come out. Now it is. This course is an invitation to let your inner songwriter step into the sunlight. All it takes is a simple “yes” and you’ll be climbing that windy hill, marveling at the view.

This course teaches scientists to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises.

An Introduction to Screenwriting

University of East Anglia via FutureLearn

This online course explores the key concepts and fundamental principles involved in the process of screenwriting.

Copywriting: Improve User Experience One Word at a Time

via openSAP

In this course, you’ll learn why copy is so important for your users’ experience and how copywriting fits into the design-led development process. Domain experts provide insights and best practices, and by participating in the exercises, you’ll get practical experience in writing copy.

How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (Project-Centered Course)

École Polytechnique via Coursera

What you will achieve: In this project-based course, you will outline a complete scientific paper, choose an appropriate journal to which you’ll submit the finished paper for publication, and prepare a checklist that will allow you to independently judge whether your paper is ready to submit.

Technical Writing

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology via Coursera

The course develops technical writing skills necessary to communicate information gained through a process of technical or experimental work. The course highlights the factors that determine the degree of technicality of the language and concepts involved.

Discovering Science: Science Writing

University of Leeds via FutureLearn

What science discoveries will you choose to write about?

Writing READMEs

Documentation is an important part of the development process. Learn to write READMEs using Markdown so your code can be used by other humans!

English language for Competitive exams

Indian Institute of Technology Madras via Swayam

The course aims to help participants develop their English language skills, particularly those planning to appear for competitive exams that test their English language abilities.

Requirements Writing

University of New South Wales via Coursera

The course takes you step by step through the rules for writing requirements statements in accordance with the “Guide for Writing Requirements” published by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). This course welcomes anyone who wants to find out how to write requirements.

Writing Skills for Health Care Providers

Concordia University Wisconsin via Open Education by Blackboard

This MOOC offers a short study of writing skills designed especially for those in health care professions. If you’re looking for valuable tips on written communication and using APA formatting in the health care field, this is the course for you.

Writing Case Studies: Science of Delivery

Princeton University via edX

Learn how to write “science of delivery” case studies, which help us understand how practitioners implement complex policies or programs.

Writing, Presenting and Submitting Scientific Papers in English | 英文科技论文写作与学术报告

Tsinghua University via edX

Learn how to properly write a scientific paper, based on international standards, and effectively make a presentation to submit proposals for funding.

Writing for Social Media

University of California, Berkeley via edX This course provides a framework for writing for social media by focusing on purpose, content and audiences, helping you be more effective at using these powerful platforms to deliver your messages.

Writing Skills for Engineering Leaders

Rice University via Coursera

In this course, you’ll learn essential writing skills that you can apply in your daily activities on the job as an engineering leader.

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The Crafty Writer's

Creative writing course.

Check out some books by your tutor Fiona Veitch Smith … (click on the book covers to find out more)

Please note: This is a free course but that does not mean you will receive free critiques of your writing. The critiquing service mentioned in the FAQ is separate to this course. I do not give feedback on the exercises. If you would like me to give my professional opinion on your creative writing beyond this course please contact me for a quote. There is a link to these rates on the FAQ page.

And now, back to the fun (and free!) stuff. The creative writing course will cover:

• Releasing your Creativity Explore how to tap into your creativity, and whether you are naturally more inclined towards writing poetry or prose.
• How to write a short story A look at how writing a short story differs from writing a novel, and some tips on short story structure.
• Writing from a point of view (POV) How your choice of first, second or third person POV can have a dramatic effect on how readers engage with your story.
• Bringing your writing to life How to activate your writing and transform it into a sensual experience.
• Writing characters Writing complex, believable characters to inhabit your literary world.
• Writing dialogue Your voice as an author, writing dialogue between characters, use of dialect, and some tips on the mechanics of laying out your text.
• Poetry: how to write poems The basics of writing poetry – lyric versus narrative, structured versus free verse, rhythm and meter.
• Markets, competitions and opportunities How to further develop your writing by joining a writer’s group and entering competitions, and some tips on getting published.

Any questions? Then check out the Frequently Asked Questions page. Otherwise…

>> Click here to get started.

Happy writing!

306 comments on “ Contents ”

I want to write a book about my family’s history and the impact it had on my life good and bad. I want my readers to feel like they were there from the first to last pages. However, I’m having a bit of a bumpy start with describing. Can you help me??

Lauren, if you send me a message through the contact form I can give you a quote for a critique of the opening chapters of your book. That way I will be able to see your strengths and weaknesses and what needs to be improved. However, I suggest you work through this free course first. There is a session on ‘bringing your writing to life’ that I think you will find helpful.

I am looking for a free online creative writing. Course. I have grade 12.

I’m writing about my mother’s infidelity and I’m just starting out. I’m new to writing. Would you like to read it? It’s only several pages long. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Hello Waylan. I can look at your writing, but be aware I will charge you as it is not part of the free course but a separate service. If you would like to proceed with the critique contact me via the message form, telling me how many words you are submitting, and I can tell you how much it will cost.

There’s really something special about the approach here, I don’t know what but it makes me motivated and I don’t want to just rush through the exercises! Really wonderful, not overwhelming, and I really really feel like something is happening.I wish you could teach other teachers. If you had your own in person writing school I would be definitely there!

Hello Mwinji,

Thank you. That is a lovely thing to say. I am first and foremost a writer myself. So in my teaching I look back and ask myself: what do I wish someone had told me when I was first starting out? I’m very glad you are getting something out of the course. Happy writing!

So happy to have found this page! Brand new to taking steps in my writing and am interested in writing picture books. While I am sure that all course material will benefit this, is there anything that deals specifically with this genre? Thanks.

Hi Amanda. You may find this article useful. http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2007/08/29/writing-for-children-picture-books/

Dear Fiona,

It was a pleasure to go through your website, it has so many useful tips that I have printed out for my reference. I wish to publish my second book , dedicating to my sister in the form of a verse novel. I was very impressed by the books Sonya Sones wrote like “Saving Red” and “Opposite of Innocent”. Can you please send me some tips on how to get started as I have never written a verse novel before.

Hi Sweedle. I’m glad you enjoyed the course. I’m afraid this is all I have for you for free. I can do paid critiques of a work in progress or a finished short story / novel. However, I have never written a verse novel before so would be unable to give you input on that. Good luck with it.

How do I sign in?

You don’t. It’s all available on the website without having to sign in.

Just want to improve my writing better. So ima hoping this course will help. Iam A full time worker and just want to do some improvements with my writing. Just really shy.

Hello- I am interested in going through this class, along with others. I am curious tho I feel like without feedback, I don’t feel that I would be getting sorta “the good, bad, & the ugly” of my writing. For you to actually “grade” or offer feedback on actual or suggested assignments- what would that fee be? Is there an option for more of a traditional instructor led class with instructor participation. Not knowing how my work is fairing or if I am going in the right direction,!would make me crazy. It’s already a short trip. ???? Thanks for the information.

Hi Stacy, I’m afraid I am not able to offer that option for you. I already have too much work on and cannot devote any more time to this course. I’m afraid it is what it is – self-directed and free. There are plenty of paid courses online that will provide that type of feedback you want. I wish you luck finding one that suits you. Fiona.

Hi, Fiona Umm” am really appreciate your devoted time been here to sharing with the world your visualize this your articles are great and specially encourage. I need more of your quotes I guess I can improve my skills and experience being an actor. With love thank you more blessing ????.

I desire to be part of you.

What is the cost?

Hi Jessica, there is no cost.

Hello I want to write a fiction/fantasy book but don’t know where to start. Will this program be beneficial for this genre?

Hi Brandy, This course teaches you good, basic prose writing technique that can be applied to any genre. It won’t teach you how to write a fantasy novel, but it will help you improve your writing style. Happy writing. Fiona x

As far as I know , there are many sites that teach one how to write. I think this is a good one and I am happy with it. Becoming a writer is my utmost aim , but I also know that writing is a tyring process and it needs patience to suceed in. Thank you

I’ve been wanting to write a book (s) fiction and non-fiction got many years. Now that I’m reaching retirement I’m needing to get serious.

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Creative Writing Course Contents

• Releasing your Creativity
• How to write a Short Story
• Writing from a Point of View (POV)
• Bringing your Writing to Life
• Writing Characters
• Writing dialogue
• Poetry: How to Write Poems
• Markets, Competitions and Opportunities

What you have said:

• “I have worked my way through the exercises and found them to be really helpful. The ’show don’t tell’ advice is something I always struggle with. It is beginning to make more sense now.” - Soobdoo
• “I am enjoying this course very much. I have a novel going but am very unsure of myself and this is helping a lot.” - TJ Pearson
• “Dear Fiona, I just wanted to take a moment to Thank You for your writing course. I’ve been searching for weeks for all the info I possibly could get a hold of. The entire site is so full of info. Finally I can stop spending hours searching and start learning. Thanks again for taking the time to set it up and leaving it for people like me who are so hungry to become writers.” - Brenda Spiegelhof

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These free online creative writing courses will teach you how to craft original and self-expressive writing. Creative writing encourages writers to exercise their creative minds and use their imaginations. It helps improve memory function and promote greater feelings of happiness among other benefits. It is also a great way to jumpstart a career in creative writing or improve an existing one.... …Read More These free online creative writing courses will teach you how to craft original and self-expressive writing. Creative writing encourages writers to exercise their creative minds and use their imaginations. It helps improve memory function and promote greater feelings of happiness among other benefits. It is also a great way to jumpstart a career in creative writing or improve an existing one. Read Less

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Start writing fiction

Course description

Course content, course reviews, course learning outcomes.

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• identify strengths and weaknesses as a writer of fiction
• demonstrate a general awareness of fiction writing
• discuss fiction using basic vocabulary.

First Published: 09/08/2012

Updated: 14/05/2018

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Free Online Courses On Creative Writing

Free writing  has traditionally been seen as a prewriting technique in  academic  environments, in which a person  writes  continuously for a set period of time without worrying about rhetorical concerns or conventions and mechanics, sometimes working from a specific prompt provided by a teacher.

Collegelearners affords you unlimited access to a litany of information on creative writing courses for beginners , creative writing online course , best creative writing course , academic writing course online free .

This Specialization covers elements of three major creative writing genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir. You will master the techniques that good writers use to compose a bracing story, populated with memorable characters in an interesting setting, written in a fresh descriptive style. You will analyze and constructively evaluate peer writing. In the Capstone, you will draft, rewrite, and complete a substantial original story in the genre of your choosing.

Our courses are designed for anyone from the aspiring short story writer to established novelist. Whether you have a finished novel sitting on your desk calling for a fresh look or have had the germ of an idea for a decade, this Specialization gives you tools to achieve your goal. Through 4 courses focused on a key aspect of writing, and taken in  any order you choose , you will develop a stronger ability to not only refine your writing, but critique writing in general and find inspiration in the works you are already reading.

Thanks to our sponsors, upon completion of their first assignment, learners in each course will receive up to an 80% discount from Write-Bros and a 30% discount off their first purchase from Scrivener to use on their writing software. Additionally, learners who complete an assignment will receive 30% off membership at the online writing community Scribophile. For more information about our partners, see the FAQ below.LEARNER CAREER OUTCOMES58%Started a new career after completing this specialization.22%Got a pay increase or promotion.Shareable CertificateEarn a Certificate upon completion100% online coursesStart instantly and learn at your own schedule.Flexible ScheduleSet and maintain flexible deadlines.Beginner Level

No prior experience required.Approx. 6 months to completeSuggested 1 hour/weekEnglishSubtitles: English, French, Arabic, German, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian)

Courses on Coursera played a major role in my career transition. I learned skills that helped me immensely during my interviews.— Ujjwal J.

Learning isn’t just about being better at your job: it’s so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits.— Chaitanya A.

It’s important for me to be able to learn as much as I can. My courses on Coursera have given me confidence and hope for the future.— Richard B.

How the Specialization Works

Take courses.

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you’d like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You’ll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you’ll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you’ll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 5 Courses in this Specialization

COURSE 1Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot 4.7stars 3,154 ratings•1,053 reviews

In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to perhaps the most elemental and often the most challenging element of story: plot. We will learn what keeps it moving, how it manipulates our feelings, expectations, and desires. We will examine the choices storytellers make to snag our imaginations, drag them into a fictional world, and keep them there. We will learn how to outline and structure a plot, discuss narrative arc, pacing and reversals and reveal the inevitable surprise: connecting the beginning, middle and end. COURSE 2Creative Writing: The Craft of Character 4.5stars 1,415 ratings•407 reviews

At the center of a good story are the characters in it. In this course aspiring writers will discover how to build and bring to life complex, vivid and unforgettable characters. We will study the choices a writer makes to bring all characters to life on the page, and we will perform written exercises in order to develop a variety of writing and pre-writing techniques, in order to create a variety of characters. We will learn how to use our own life experiences, and the people we know (and how not to!). We will develop inner (thoughts and feelings) and outer (appearance, habits, behavior) lives for our characters and see how that can lead us to richer and more interesting stories. We will breathe life into our characters and let them surprise us.SHOW ALL ABOUT A COURSE IN THIS SPECIALIZATIONSHOW ALL COURSE 3Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description 4.7stars 1,017 ratings•305 reviews

In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to the techniques that masters of fiction use to ground a story in a concrete world. From the most realist settings to the most fantastical, writers will learn how to describe the physical world in sharp, sensory detail. We will also learn how to build credibility through research, and to use creative meditation exercises to deepen our own understanding of our story worlds, so that our readers can see all that we imagine. COURSE 4Creative Writing: The Craft of Style 4.7stars 840 ratings•237 reviews

Your style is as unique and distinctive as your face, your voice, except that you can choose it, you can can work on it, enhance it. In this course we will introduce aspiring writers to the art of putting pressure on written language. We will study the use of metaphor and imagery, and demonstrate how clarity, grace, and inventiveness in word choice are imperative to a story’s success. Writers will emerge with the revision skills essential to all writers of good stories and good prose.

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.

Free Online Courses to Improve Your Writing Skills

Dhawal Shah

You can never go wrong by becoming a better writer. Whether you’re preparing for university studies, drafting resumes and cover letters, writing sales emails, or trying to preserve your own memories, you need to be able to communicate through writing. Fortunately, free courses abound to guide you in your writing journey.

Want to start writing fiction? There’s a course for that, several actually. There are also courses that will teach you to write better business emails, create compelling blog posts and social media updates, and prepare technical reports. English language learners, teachers, and grammar nerds, you’ll also find a few courses on this list. In short, whatever it is that you’re writing, chances are you can improve your craft with one or more of the courses below.

Quick note: While many of these courses do come with fees, all of them are available to audit in full or in part. If you’re new to MOOCs and want to learn more (including how fees work in these courses), check out our Beginner’s Guide to Massive Open Online Courses.  

Basic Writing & Composition

English Composition Arizona State University via edX Improve your writing skills in this comprehensive introduction to English composition  credit-eligible  course. ★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Perfect Tenses and Modals University of California, Irvine via Coursera In this course, you will learn about important intermediate verb tenses, including present perfect, present perfect progressive, past perfect, and past perfect progressive. You will also learn about common modal verbs used in English. ★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Grammar and Punctuation University of California, Irvine via Coursera After completing this course, you will be able to: – identify the correct verb tenses to use – use commas effectively – utilize several different sentence types – write more effectively in English ★★★★☆ (28 ratings)

English Grammar and Style University of Queensland via edX Learn key concepts and strategies in grammar and style to help enhance your writing and confidently respond to the demand of high levels of literacy in the 21st century. ★★★★☆ (30 ratings)

Tricky English Grammar University of California, Irvine via Coursera While it’s easy for non-native speakers to get overwhelmed by confusing grammar rules, in this course, we’ll provide you with tips that will help you understand the rules more easily and give you lots of practice with the tricky grammar of everyday English. ★★☆☆☆ (2 ratings)

Adjectives and Adjective Clauses University of California, Irvine via Coursera Adjectives and adjective clauses are very common in English, so students need to be able to understand them when they see them or hear them. ★★★☆☆ (4 ratings)

English Composition I Duke University via Coursera You will gain a foundation for college-level writing valuable for nearly any field. ★★★☆☆ (18 ratings)

Effective Writing Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee via Swayam The present course on writing aims at familiarizing learners with the nuances of effective writing which can help them know the subtle art of writing, enabling them to write with clarity, precision and at the same time with the subtlety to express their ideas on different occasions with the notions of appropriateness and accuracy.

Just Reading and Writing in English | 生活英语读写 Tsinghua University via edX Learn how to read and write in English in the context of lectures and academic texts.

Advanced Grammar & Punctuation Project University of California, Irvine via Coursera In this course, you will create a grammar portfolio of the difficult or interesting English grammatical structures that you studied in the previous courses.

Conjunctions, Connectives, and Adverb Clauses University of California, Irvine via Coursera In this course, you will learn about a lot of different ways to join ideas to make more complex and interesting sentences.

Noun Clauses and Conditionals University of California, Irvine via Coursera In this class, you will learn about the advanced grammar concepts of noun clauses and conditionals.

Verb Tenses and Passives University of California , Irvine via Coursera In this course, you will review the verb tenses that you learned in beginning English classes and learn about a few tenses you may not know very well.

Just Reading and Writing English 2 Tsinghua University via Coursera The course consists of 6 units with different topics: education, manners, personal communication, purpose of living, cultural studies, life science. From this course, you will have a good knowledge of intermediate English reading and writing skills.

Just Reading and Writing English 1 Tsinghua University via Coursera The course consists of 6 units with different topics: feelings, staying healthy, learning, university, cultural differences, and cities. From this course, you will have a good knowledge of primary English reading and writing skills in your daily life.

English Composition: Research and Writing Arizona State University via edX

Learn how to design, develop, research, and execute a writing project from inception to completion in this  credit-eligible  course.

Journalism and Blogging

Journalism for Social Change University of California, Berkeley via edX Learn how to use solution-based journalism to impel positive social change. ★★★★☆ (2 ratings)

Media Writing and Editing Ohio State University via Canvas Network In this virtual newsroom, you will learn reporting, writing, researching and multimedia techniques for all news media platforms, and then dig deeper into how social media, community-centered journalism, and multimedia elements can enhance coverage. ★★★★☆ (2 ratings)

English for Journalism University of Pennsylvania via Coursera This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in developing the skills needed for a career in modern journalism. ★★★★☆ (6 ratings)

Digital Culture and Writing University of Burgundy via EMMA It provides an overview of the potentialities of digital writing and culture, for publish, share and communicate. The approach is first of all practical, but also with reflective and critical aiming.

Writing for Social Justice University of California, Berkeley via edX Learn to harness the power of writing to bring about about personal, social, and political changes that matter.

English for Journalists, Part 2 University of California, Berkeley via edX Improve your English grammar, vocabulary and writing skills through topics in journalism including free speech, sports, humor and broadcast writing.

English for Journalists, Part 1 University of California, Berkeley via edX Improve your English grammar, vocabulary and writing skills through exciting topics in journalism and world news.

Creative Writing

Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop California Institute of the Arts via Coursera We’ll cover key poetic terms and devices by studying poems by a handful of modern and contemporary poets and then get a chance to try our own hand at writing new poem drafts from a select number of prompts. ★★★★☆ (16 ratings)

Creative Writing: The Craft of Character Wesleyan University via Coursera We will study the choices a writer makes to bring all characters to life on the page, and we will perform written exercises in order to develop a variety of writing and pre-writing techniques, in order to create a variety of characters. ★★★★☆ (7 ratings)

Start Writing Fiction The Open University via FutureLearn Get started with your own fiction writing, focusing on the central skill of creating characters, with this hands-on course. ★★★★☆ (20 ratings)

Writing for Young Readers: Opening the Treasure Chest Commonwealth Education Trust via Coursera This course is for curious students and aspiring authors with a passion for writing for young readers. Participate in a dynamic online community of writers as you experiment with your own writing and develop your voice. ★★★★☆ (12 ratings)

Creative Writing: The Craft of Style Wesleyan University via Coursera In this course we will introduce aspiring writers to the art of putting pressure on written language. We will study the use of metaphor and imagery, and demonstrate how clarity, grace, and inventiveness in word choice are imperative to a story’s success. Writers will emerge with the revision skills essential to all writers of good stories and good prose. ★★★★☆ (8 ratings)

Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot Wesleyan University via Coursera In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to perhaps the most elemental and often the most challenging element of story: plot. We will learn what keeps it moving, how it manipulates our feelings, expectations, and desires. We will examine the choices storytellers make to snag our imaginations, drag them into a fictional world, and keep them there. ★★★★☆ (15 ratings)

Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description Wesleyan University via Coursera In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to the techniques that masters of fiction use to ground a story in a concrete world. From the most realist settings to the most fantastical, writers will learn how to describe the physical world in sharp, sensory detail. ★★★★☆ (12 ratings)

Adventures in Writing Stanford University via Stanford OpenEdx Welcome to Adventures in Writing, a series of graphic-novel style learning modules designed to help you learn more about and practice a range of effective written communication skills. ★★★☆☆ (14 ratings)

Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course) Michigan State University via Coursera What you’ll achieve: In this project-centered course*, you will design a series bible and write a complete pilot episode for your own unique television or web series, be it drama or comedy or something in between. You’ll learn to break down the creative process into components, and you’ll discover a structured process that allows you to produce a polished and pitch-ready script in just a few weeks. ★★☆☆☆ (3 ratings)

Transmedia Writing Michigan State University via Coursera Do you have a desire to write a novel, write a screenplay, design a video game? In this project-centered course you will develop your own, original, intellectual property (IP) into a transmedia project containing written versions of your IP on various platforms.

Writing Stories About Ourselves Wesleyan University via Coursera In this course, creative nonfiction writers will explore traditional storytelling methods, especially those which overlap between fiction and memoir. By looking at examples from a wide range of genres, including film, song, painting—even the theme music for Jaws!—we’ll practice exercising the creative muscle that sees ourselves as characters and the experiences we’ve had as tales

Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader Wesleyan University via Coursera The blank page can be the most daunting obstacle in writing. In this course, aspiring writers will assemble a “starter kit” for approaching the blank page by developing constructive ways to think about the writing process as a whole. While subsequent courses in this series will focus on the mechanics of good writing, this course offers ways to think about the writer’s relationship to her material, and ultimately develop a writing style that is uniquely her own.

Writing in First Person Point of View Wesleyan University via Coursera If you have always wanted to tell your own story—in a memoir, first-person essay, or any other form of autobiographical non-fiction—but felt you lacked the tools or the framework, this is the class for you. We will learn how successful first-person writing is structured to offer the reader a sense of propulsive motion, and is guided by a narrator who is deliberately crafted.

Writing a Personal Essay Wesleyan University via Coursera This class is the chance to create your personal essay or extend into a full memoir — from planning and structure to bold narrative brushstrokes to the layering of significant detail. You will develop the opportunity to find your voice and see it come alive, amplified and improved, on the page.

How To Make A Poem Manchester University via FutureLearn Learn how to ‘make’ your own poetry by exploring different poetic techniques and styles.

Business Writing

How to Succeed at: Writing Applications The University of Sheffield via FutureLearn This free three week course will help you produce a perfect CV, application and online profile when applying for a job or course. ★★★★★ (163 ratings)

Academic and Business Writing University of California, Berkeley via edX An introduction to academic and business writing for English Language Learners, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, structure, editing, and publication. ★★★★☆ (7 ratings)

Writing Professional Email and Memos (Project-Centered Course) University System of Georgia via Coursera At the end of this course, you will be a more confident writer, able to create higher quality professional documents more quickly. This course is at the introductory or beginner level and focuses on mastering the basics of email etiquette and communication. ★★★★☆ (2 ratings)

Business Writing University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera This course will teach you how to apply the top ten principles of good business writing to your work, how to deploy simple tools to dramatically improve your writing, and how to execute organization, structure, and revision to communicate more masterfully than ever. ★★★★☆ (5 ratings)

Write Professional Emails in English Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera This is a course to help you write effective business emails in English. ★★★☆☆ (2 ratings)

High-Impact Business Writing University of California, Irvine via Coursera Effective writing is a powerful tool in the business environment. Learn how to articulate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner that will allow your ideas to be better understood by your readers. ★★★☆☆ (8 ratings)

English for Effective Business Writing The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via Coursera This course aims to improve your Business English writing skills by developing your use of vocabulary, grammar, understanding of different business writing genres, and your ability to write professional business documents.

Better Business Writing in English Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera Do you need to write more easily and effectively in English? This course will provide the tools to help you do just that.

The Writing Process University of California, Berkeley via edX A guide to the writing process. Learn and practice strategies for writing and revising effective business documents.

Grant Writing and Crowdfunding for Public Libraries University of Michigan via edX Learn how to increase your impact, innovate, and overcome often static funding through various fundraising and grant writing approaches.

Effective Business Writing University of California, Berkeley via edX Learn best practices and approaches to writing effective business letters, emails, and reports. Format, composition, and clarity are emphasized.

Resume Writing

Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters University of Maryland, College Park via Coursera This course will give you answers to those questions. You will learn how to convert a boring resume into a dynamic asset statement that conveys your talents in the language that an employer understands. ★★★★★ (2 ratings)

How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course) State University of New York via Coursera What you’ll achieve: In this project-centered course*, you will craft an essential cornerstone of the modern-day job or internship search: the resume. You’ll review resume best practices and explore current trends with guidance from a professional career counselor and recruiter, and you’ll exchange structured feedback with your peers as you work to polish your own resume. ★★★★☆ (5 ratings)

Craft Your Cover Letter via Udacity Write a compelling narrative that showcases your value to the company. ★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Refresh Your Resume Grow with Google via Udacity Create a targeted resume that gets the attention of recruiters and lands you an interview in tech. ★★★☆☆ (2 ratings)

Academic Writing

Academic Writing UGC via Swayam This course aims to fill this gap by providing the fundamental knowledge required for effective and result oriented academic writing. It is a foundation course and the application of this knowledge completely depends on an individual learner and his or her area of research. ★★★★★ (226 ratings)

Getting Started with Essay Writing University of California, Irvine via Coursera By introducing you to three types of academic essays, this course will especially help prepare you for work in college classes, but anyone who wants to improve his or her writing skills can benefit from this course. ★★★★☆ (12 ratings)

A Beginner’s Guide to Writing in English for University Study University of Reading via FutureLearn Learn how to use English for study at university or college and develop your writing skills, vocabulary and grammar. ★★★★☆ (22 ratings)

Writing your World: Finding yourself in the academic space University of Cape Town via Coursera In this course, we provide practical insights into how to write an academic essay. We show you how to develop the academic skills needed to be a competent academic writer. ★★★★★ (1 rating)

Writing for Graduate School Barry University via Canvas Network This course serves as an introduction to Writing for Graduate School. The course will cover MLA and APA style, citing sources, the Writing Process, various writing activities you may encounter in graduate school, and how to improve your writing. ★★★★★ ( 1 rating )

Academic Writing Made Easy Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) via edX Struggling with writing an academic text? This MOOC will ease the pain – and make your writing shine. ★★★★★ (1 rating)

Introduction to Research for Essay Writing University of California, Irvine via Coursera After completing this course, you will be able to: – choose appropriate research topics for college classes – write detailed outlines for research papers – find source material for research papers – take and organize good notes for research – use appropriate academic tone and language – document sources by creating a Works Cited list in MLA format – avoid plagiarizing your sources ★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Advanced Writing University of California, Irvine via Coursera After completing this course, you will be able to plan and write a more sophisticated argument essay. ★★★★☆ (5 ratings)

An Intermediate Guide to Writing in English for University Study University of Reading via FutureLearn Improve your academic English skills further, learning about critical analysis, using sources, avoiding plagiarism and more. ★★★★☆ (1 rating)

How to Write an Essay University of California, Berkeley via edX An introduction to academic writing for English Language Learners, focusing on essay development, grammatical correctness, and self-editing. ★★★★☆ (26 ratings)

Academic Literacy Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology via Coursera You will learn practical tools and effective strategies for increasing your academic vocabulary and grammar so that you will write well-structured coherent academic texts. ★★★☆☆ (2 ratings)

Project: Writing a Research Paper University of California, Irvine via Coursera This project lets you apply everything you’ve learned and gives you the practice you need for college classes by having you write a research paper. You’ll have several due dates throughout the capstone to help you stay on schedule.

Academic and Research Report NITTTR via Swayam This course intends to introduce the learner to the principles, techniques and tools of academic and research report writing. After successful completion of this course the learner will be able to write reports on various academic activities including research effectively and efficiently.

Writing in English at University Lund University via Coursera This course aims to give you an understanding of the conventions of academic writing in English and to teach you the components and benefits of what is called process writing.

College Composition Modern States via Independent This course will prepare you to pass the College Board’s CLEP College Composition exam

Writing in the Disciplines Professional Development Course (HE) Excelsior College via Canvas Network This course on Writing in the Disciplines offers a modular curriculum that explores the meaning of genre, why and how to develop genre-based writing assignments, and effective techniques for using writing to enhance learning.

Academic writing for clarity and meaning University of the Witwatersrand via edX Learn principles and practices to improve your academic writing

Discovering Your PhD Potential: Writing a Research Proposal via FutureLearn Learn how to research and write a high-quality research proposal for postgraduate applications.

Scholarly Communication Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology via Coursera Scholarly Communication is a concise but comprehensive course on how to write research papers in English.

Research Writing: How to Do a Literature Review University of Wollongong via FutureLearn Learn how to write a strong literature review with this course designed for research students, at any level, in any discipline.

Applied and Technical Writing

Technical Report Writing for Engineers The University of Sheffield via FutureLearn Get an introduction to technical report writing. Find out how to communicate your ideas through well-written engineering reports. ★★★★★ (39 ratings)

Writing in the Sciences Stanford University via Coursera This course teaches scientists to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises. Topics include: principles of good writing, tricks for writing faster and with less anxiety, the format of a scientific manuscript, peer review, grant writing, ethical issues in scientific publication, and writing for general audiences. ★★★★★ (8 ratings)

Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics Berklee College of Music via Coursera There’s a songwriter lurking somewhere inside you, peeking around corners, wondering if it’s safe to come out. Now it is. This course is an invitation to let your inner songwriter step into the sunlight. All it takes is a simple “yes” and you’ll be climbing that windy hill, marveling at the view. ★★★★★ (19 ratings)

Writing in the Sciences Stanford University via Stanford OpenEdx This course teaches scientists to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises. ★★★★☆ (17 ratings)

An Introduction to Screenwriting University of East Anglia via FutureLearn This online course explores the key concepts and fundamental principles involved in the process of screenwriting. ★★★★★ (4 ratings)

Copywriting: Improve User Experience One Word at a Time via openSAP In this course, you’ll learn why copy is so important for your users’ experience and how copywriting fits into the design-led development process. Domain experts provide insights and best practices, and by participating in the exercises, you’ll get practical experience in writing copy. ★★★★★ (1 rating)

How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (Project-Centered Course) École Polytechnique via Coursera What you will achieve: In this project-based course, you will outline a complete scientific paper, choose an appropriate journal to which you’ll submit the finished paper for publication, and prepare a checklist that will allow you to independently judge whether your paper is ready to submit. ★★★★★ (1 rating)

Technical Writing Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology via Coursera The course develops technical writing skills necessary to communicate information gained through a process of technical or experimental work. The course highlights the factors that determine the degree of technicality of the language and concepts involved. ★★★★★ (1 rating)

Discovering Science: Science Writing University of Leeds via FutureLearn What science discoveries will you choose to write about? ★★★★☆ (6 ratings)

Writing READMEs via Udacity Documentation is an important part of the development process. Learn to write READMEs using Markdown so your code can be used by other humans! ★★★☆☆ (2 ratings)

English language for Competitive exams Indian Institute of Technology Madras via Swayam The course aims to help participants develop their English language skills, particularly those planning to appear for competitive exams that test their English language abilities.

Requirements Writing University of New South Wales via Coursera The course takes you step by step through the rules for writing requirements statements in accordance with the “Guide for Writing Requirements” published by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). This course welcomes anyone who wants to find out how to write requirements.

Writing Skills for Health Care Providers Concordia University Wisconsin via Open Education by Blackboard This MOOC offers a short study of writing skills designed especially for those in health care professions. If you’re looking for valuable tips on written communication and using APA formatting in the health care field, this is the course for you.

Writing Case Studies: Science of Delivery Princeton University via edX Learn how to write “science of delivery” case studies, which help us understand how practitioners implement complex policies or programs.

Writing, Presenting and Submitting Scientific Papers in English | 英文科技论文写作与学术报告 Tsinghua University via edX Learn how to properly write a scientific paper, based on international standards, and effectively make a presentation to submit proposals for funding.

Writing for Social Media University of California, Berkeley via edX This course provides a framework for writing for social media by focusing on purpose, content and audiences, helping you be more effective at using these powerful platforms to deliver your messages.

Writing Skills for Engineering Leaders Rice University via Coursera In this course, you’ll learn essential writing skills that you can apply in your daily activities on the job as an engineering leader.