Imagine if you could impress everyone with your writing skills. Or, what if I told you that writing can help you ace your studies and admissions? Can writing give your career a boost?
Yes! The answer to all the above. Like any other skill, you can learn writing. And hear me out. You do not have to write like Shakespeare or Tagore. Everyday writing is simple, clear, and to the point. You do not have to masquerade as a grammar Nazi or worse, as Tharoorian.
Writing is not only about physical writing. It includes researching skills, planning, outlining, and the most critical — the ability to think clearly. If you have fog in your mind, your writing will come out bland. In this article, you will explore how to improve your writing skills with 10 free amazing courses.
Top 10 Free Amazing Online Courses to Learn Writing in 2023
Here is a list of Top 10 Free Amazing Courses to Learn Writing 2023:
- Plain Language (National Institute of Health)
- Creative Writing and Critical Reading (The Open University)
- Academic English: Writing Specialization (University of California, Coursera)
- Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization (University of Michigan, Coursera)
- Writing in First Person Point of View (Wesleyan University, Coursera)
- Writing What You Know ( The Open University)
- Language, Maths, and News Literacy Certificate ( Poynter)
- Writing Professional Emails in English (Georgia Institute of Technology, Coursera)
- High-Impact Business Writing ( University of California)
- Writing With Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer (LinkedIn)
1. Plain Language (National Institute of Health)
As discussed above, writing is not about complex sentences, lengthy words, and terminology. The best writing uses plain language to write clear, to-the-point, and easily understood information. Communicating with clarity and ease is a craft that rewards time and money. This course by NIH help people learn plain language writing and tell health information in an easy-to-understand format. Health or any other topic, this is a brilliant course that will explain to you what great writing is all about.
2. Creative Writing and Critical Reading (The Open University)
Great writing comes with reading great writing! Usually, people read to digest the information. It is assumed that reading is something which does not need effort. Critical reading enhances your ability to engage and criticise literary and media texts. This course by The Open University helps you examine writers’ methods and gain ideas and inspiration. It explores the importance of reading at postgraduate level in fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, and poetry.
3. Academic English: Writing Specialization (University of California, Coursera)
Unlock the gate to college-ready writing by enrolling in this free course offered by the University of California. Academic English helps you develop essential skills to succeed at college or in a professional setting. You will learn essential skills like grammar and punctuation, essay writing, advanced writing, and introduction to research. This course will teach how to conduct academic research and express your ideas clearly.
4. Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization (University of Michigan, Coursera)
This beginner-friendly course helps you get good with words. Clear and plain writing does not mean that your writing is boring or lacks nuance. Choices of words are essential to express yourself clearly and be heard. Getting Good with Words teaches you how to choose words to arrange a complex set of information, add nuance to your writing, identify what needs to be said, and persuade people to change decisions.
5. Writing in First Person Point of View (Wesleyan University, Coursera)
Do you have a personal story to say but do not understand how to write it? This course is perfect for you. Writing in the First Person Point of View will teach you how to become a convincing narrator of your own story. You will learn how to write, express, and tell your story in a way that establishes a bond between you and the reader. You will also learn how to construct a story, find your voice, and lead the momentum. If you want to write first-person essays, memoirs, and other autobiographical nonfiction — you are at the right place.
6. Writing What You Know ( The Open University)
This is an 8-hour course that will help you improve descriptive writing. This course will help you develop a perception of the world and see everyday things in a new light. Do you wish to describe that nostalgia you feel on a silent evening in the summer? Or, how the fallen leaves teach you something new about life? Well, you will learn how to articulate yourself and describe your worldview.
7. Language, Maths, and News Literacy Certificate ( Poynter)
This course teaches the fundamentals of maths, language, fact-checking, and news literacy. You will learn to overcome common grammatical mistakes, strengthen sentence structure, and get comfortable with numbers. You will also learn basics of misinformation and fact-checking, and how you can be responsible about information. This course helps you ace the fundamentals of communication that are essential in today’s world.
8. Writing Professional Emails in English (Georgia Institute of Technology, Coursera)
If you are in college, chances are you will soon apply for internships or be job-ready. Emails are an essential tool to communicate within the organizations. Writing professional emails that are clear and succinct helps you communicate with ease. This course will help you improve overall English, understand different email formats, write effective subject lines, study tone and level of formality. You will also edit and revise 4-5 emails while completing the course.
9. High-Impact Business Writing ( University of California)
This course will teach you how to articulate yourself in a professional environment. You will learn to write effective presentations, emails, and memos. Plus, understand how to proofread business documents, create business reports and press releases. Effective business communication helps you present your ideas convincingly and avoid common writing mistakes at work. You will also understand how to adopt different writing formats and styles, adapt and change tone, and how to write for a global market.
10. Writing With Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer (LinkedIn)
A great course that directly comes from an experienced journalist – Shani Raja. This free course at LinkedIn teaches practical techniques you can learn to add spark to your writing. You will learn how to write purposeful, concise, and pleasurable content. You will study how to write with integrity and understand the beauty of simplicity. Plus, you learn strategies to help craft elegant paragraphs, focus clearly on ideas, and add freshness to your writing.
AIM SAYS
The skills you will learn through writing courses can help you across multiple careers and formats. Writing teaches you critical reading and thinking skills that are your lifelong friends. Once you start articulating yourself clearly, you can open many doors in your personal and professional life. All courses here provide you with a certificate of completion so you can brag on your resume. For all Coursera courses, you can apply for scholarships to get free access and certificates.
Go ahead and choose one course. Remember to be slow and effective!
