This course is part of the Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

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1,478 ratings

Patrick Barry

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Offered By

Good with Words: Writing and Editing SpecializationUniversity of Michigan

About this Course

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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.”

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Course 1 of 4 in the

Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

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What you will learn

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

Skills you will gain

Persuasion
Creativity
Writing
Time management
Editing

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 4 in the

Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.82/5 (533 Ratings)

Patrick Barry

Clinical Assistant Professor of Law

Michigan Law School

103,291 Learners

8 Courses

Offered by

University of Michigan

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(11,630 ratings)

Week

Week 1

7 hours to complete

The Words Under the Words

In this first week, you will be introduced to instructor Patrick Barry. This week's course content will focus on how the words you choose can change the decisions that people make.

7 hours to complete

21 videos (Total 50 min), 13 readings, 14 quizzes

21 videos

Good with Words2m

Making You More Persuasive2m

Errors and Insights3m

Mechanics and Strategy4m

Map to a Decision3m

Saints vs. Jerks4m

Better at Getting Better3m

S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Stretch Goals2m

Résumé Review4m

6-60-63m

Technical and Tactical58s

Punctuation and Professionalism2m

Punctuation and Professionalism: Comma Splices3m

Notes on Nuance: "Un-"1m

Good Sentences3m

Reflection is a Team Sport2m

Student Takeaway: Words Under the Words22s

Student Takeaway: Better at Getting Better25s

Student Takeaway: T-Shaped25s

Student Takeaway: 6-60-636s

Student Takeaway: Writing as Mapping31s

13 readings

Teaching Style + Resources3m

Syllabus10m

University of Michigan Survey10m

Teachers vs. Readers2m

Introduction to the Gamut Workbook Tool5m

Performing Under Pressure and Expressive Writing10m

The Words Under the Words (Concept)15m

The Words Under the Words (Examples)5m

"A Note About Me"7m

The Optimal Amount of Advocacy1m

Edit Our Edits2m

Notes on Nuance: "Un-"3m

Garbage In, Garbage Out1m

9 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice4m

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Low-Stakes Practice3m

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Low-Stakes Practice10m

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Punctuation Practice: Comma Splices3m

Nuance Practice: "Un-"10m

Weekly Review (Graded)15m

Week

Week 2

3 hours to complete

The Infinite Power of Grammar

This week, we will focus on how the order of the words you choose can change the decisions people make.

3 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 25 min), 6 readings, 9 quizzes

12 videos

Previously On2m

Previously On: The Words Under the Words2m

Previously On: Deliberate Practice2m

Previously On: Mechanics and Strategy1m

Writing as Redecorating2m

The Infinite Power of Grammar2m

The Animal Farm Principle1m

Punctuation and Professionalism: "However"5m

Notes on Nuance: "Almost" and "Even"1m

Takeaways1m

Student Takeaway: Passive on Purpose25s

Student Takeaways: Positive No16s

6 readings

The Infinite Power of Grammar (Concept)8m

The Infinite Power of Grammar (Examples)5m

Passive on Purpose5m

Positive No10m

Notes on Nuance: "Almost" and "Even"5m

Resource Request2m

5 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice6m

Low-Stakes Practice ("Passive on Purpose")10m

Punctuation Practice: "However"5m

Nuance Practice: "Almost" and "Even"10m

Weekly Review (Graded)15m

Week

Week 3

4 hours to complete

The Rule of Three

In Week Three, we will focus on combining word choice with word order.

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 16 min), 6 readings, 9 quizzes

8 videos

Previously On39s

Previously On: Syntax1m

Previously On: The Animal Farm Principle3m

The Rule of Three1m

Punctuation and Professionalism: Adverbial Conjunctions5m

Notes on Nuance: "To"1m

Takeaways1m

Student Takeaway: Rule of Three 29s

6 readings

The Rule of Three (Concept)15m

The Rule of Three (Examples)5m

Alliteration, Restraint, and a Mind at Work10m

Alliteration: Fan Favorite?2m

Student-->Teacher (Optional)20m

Notes on Nuance : "To"3m

6 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Alliteration30m

Punctuation Practice: Adverbial Conjunctions5m

Nuance Practice: "To"5m

Weekly Review (Graded)15m

Week

Week 4

6 hours to complete

The Power of the Particular

Our final week will focus on filling our writing with compelling details.

6 hours to complete

14 videos (Total 52 min), 11 readings, 18 quizzes

14 videos

Previously On: Interleaving and "To"53s

Previously On: "Interleaving"5m

Previously On: "To"1m

The Power of the Particular1m

What Makes a Word "Real"?17m

Sentences Nobody Else Can Write2m

Sentences Nobody Else WOULD Write1m

S-H-A-P-E2m

Class Clip: The S-H-A-P-E Framework12m

Punctuation and Professionalism (Coordinating Conjunctions)3m

Notes on Nuance: Chiasmus2m

Student Takeaway: Earn Your Generalizations26s

Student Takeaway: Sincerity Takes a Few Drafts28s

Next Course: Writing is a Superpower51s

11 readings

The Power of the Particular (Concept)10m

The Power of the Particular (Examples)5m

The Phenomenology of Error3m

What Makes a Word "Real"?1m

Slang School5m

The S-H-A-P-E Framework Cheat Sheet5m

Notes on Nuance: Chiasmus3m

Chiasmus: Fan Favorite?2m

Book Recommendations3m

Course Feedback10m

"Good with Words: Speaking and Presenting" and Michigan Online1m

8 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Low-Stakes Practice7m

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Low-Stakes Practice7m

Punctuation Practice (Coordinating Conjunctions)5m

Nuance Practice: Chiasmus5m

Weekly Review (Graded)15m

Reviews

4.7

361 reviews

5 stars
81.31%
4 stars
13.43%
3 stars
2.92%
2 stars
0.97%
1 star
1.36%

TOP REVIEWS FROM WRITING AND EDITING: WORD CHOICE AND WORD ORDER

by RWJun 12, 2020

The instructor really introduced new concepts in quite an interesting manner that successfully hooked me with the lessons. moreover, the course content seems to be phenomenally compiled.

by GGMay 31, 2021

The actual time needed for this courses is far more than what listed on the page. Required to read a lot of books, article and video. Ultimately, the time allocated for one week is very compact

by AAMay 2, 2021

I loved the course. It was very engaging and immersive. I was able to learn many new techniques from this course. Anyone who wants to improve their writing should definitely do this course.

by WPApr 23, 2022

Hugely enjoyable course. I learned a lot and it was engaging throughout. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to feel more comfortable with their writing skills.

View all reviews

About the Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

Perhaps the most important thing students and professionals of all kinds can do to improve their effectiveness is embrace the following advice: become good with words.

This series of courses targets the writing side of that recommendation. The skills it focuses on include everything from how to arrange a complex set of information in a reader-friendly way, to how to give and receive high-quality feedback, to how to consistently hit deadlines. Part of Professor Barry’s proceeds from this course will be donated to the COVID-19 relief efforts of Ozone House, a shelter for homeless youth in Southeastern Michigan where he regularly conducts job-training workshops. These proceeds come from purchases of the version of the course that earns you a certificate. The course remains free for anyone who is simply auditing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order

About this Course

What you will learn

Skills you will gain