Online Class: Writing Improvement 101

We know that effective writing will help students in their coursework but it's equally important to write well in the workplace. If a job interviewer is considering two qualified candidates, the candidate who can write well will have the edge.
COURSE CLOSED
We're sorry, this course is no longer open for enrollment.
 
  • 13
    Lessons
  • 32
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 0
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 5
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.5
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

We know that effective writing will help students in their coursework but it's equally important to write well in the workplace. If a job interviewer is considering two qualified candidates, the candidate who can write well will have the edge. If you're interested in improving your basic writing beyond correct grammar and punctuation, this course will help you. The more you write, the more confidence you will have in your abilities as a writer.
 
The best grammar and punctuation in the world can still produce average or even poor writing if you don't know how to use the sentences properly or which type of sentence works best to get your point across.  By the same token, if you can write lyrical sentences but you string them together into paragraphs that are a tangled mess, the sense and impact of each sentence is lost.
 
This course is designed to give students the most flexibility and independence. You set your own schedule and learn at your convenience. Just because this course is online doesn't mean you're left on your own. The instructor will be reviewing and grading assignments and is always available to answer questions through email.
 
This course assumes you have a high school reading and writing level in English, and that you understand sentence structure, grammar and punctuation.
 
Courses Frequently Bought Together:
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Writing Improvement

5 Points
Introduction to Writing Improvement
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Writing and Grammar Level; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: Introductions

Lesson 2: Refining Your Sentences

35 Points
This lesson describes how to make sentences more interesting by using phrases, combining sentences, and using conjunctions. Additional lesson topics: Refining Your Sentences for the Best Results
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 2.1 Assignment
  • Complete: Lesson 2.2 Assignment
  • Complete: Lesson 2.3 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3: Paragraph Structure

28 Points
For any narrative, whether a research paper, report, or story, the sentences need to be grouped together into discernible units that organize the information properly in order to make sense.
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 3.1 Assignment - Paragraph Writing
  • Complete: Lesson 3.2 Assignment - Exercise on Paragraph Writing
  • Complete: Lesson 3.3 Assignment - Paragraph Writing
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam

Lesson 4: Types of Paragraphs

33 Points
Understanding how expository, descriptive, and narrative paragraphs should be written will improve your ability to clearly get your point across.
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 4.1 Assignment - Narrative Paragraph
  • Complete: Lesson 4.2 Assignment - Descriptive Paragraph
  • Complete: Lesson 4.3 Assignment - Expository Paragraph
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam

Lesson 5: Show. Don't Tell.

25 Points
When you show instead of merely telling, you bring the reader into your words.
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam

Lesson 6: Point of View

23 Points
There are just three basic point-of-view approaches: first person, third person, and omniscient.
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam

Lesson 7: Writing Dialogue

45 Points
In order to write vivid dialogue, there are several writing conventions you can use.
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 7.1 Assignment
  • Complete: Lesson 7.2 Assignment - Dialogue Writing
  • Complete: Lesson 7.3 Assignment - Dialogue Writing
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8: Interior Monologue

24 Points
It takes skill and knowledge of writing that surpasses the average hobbyist or amateur to make your writing stand out.
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: Proportion

25 Points
You do not want to give too many details to unimportant events, or fill scenes with so many details that the story does not move forward. Additional lesson topics: Description in Fiction
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10: Sophistication

25 Points
This lesson discusses how to take what you have written and make it sound as sophisticated as the works of professional writers.
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam

Lesson 11: Substitutions for Poor Phrasing

10 Points
Poor phrasing is often the difference between good writing and great writing. Here are some examples of alternatives.
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment

Lesson 12: Proofreading

20 Points
A good writer knows that no one gets it right the first time through any manuscript.
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Editing
  • Complete: Lesson 12.1 Assignment
  • Complete: Lesson 12.2 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam

Lesson 13: Additional Writing Resources

60 Points
Here is a list of books that cover additional writing styles, tips, and guidelines.
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Lesson discussions: What is your opinion of this course?; Final Course Survey; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Assessment: THE FINAL EXAM
358
Total Course Points
 

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