Most of us wish we could improve our writing skills. Just think about how nice it would be to take a class to add a writing skill to your resume. If it sounds a little intimidating, what if the classes could be completed in just a few weeks (or even a few hours)? Sounds good, right? And what if the classes were free? Even better.
Think it can’t be done? Think again. Here is a list of free online writing classes that can be completed in just a few weeks.
1. Academic and Business Writing, edX
This course was initially given at the University of California Berkeley and focuses on writing in different disciplines, including science and technology, literature, and the social sciences. Students will learn to develop statements of purpose and create a professional writing style.
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 20-30 Hours / 5 Lessons
2. Writing for the Web, OPEN2STUDY
Readers behave differently online, which is key to understanding the difference between writing for print and writing for the web. Through this course you’ll learn how to use web design, writing style, structure, and search engine optimization to accommodate the needs of online readers.
Level: All Levels
Duration: 16 Hours / 4 Lessons
3. High-Impact Business Writing, Coursera
Effective writing is a significant part of the business world. Presenting your thoughts clearly and concisely will allow your ideas to be better understood by readers. Learning to notice, correct, and avoid the most common writing pitfalls is also taught in this course.
Level: All Levels
Duration: 4-8 Hours / 4 Lessons
4. Secret Sauce of Great Writing, Udemy
The “Secret Sauce” course has more than 20,000 students and over 120 five-star reviews. Whether it’s for cover letters or press releases, the course teaches you to superpower your business writing and substantially improve the appearance of your blogs. This course is designed for both professionals looking to upgrade their writing skills and businesses hoping to improve corporate communications.
Level: Beginner
Duration: 2 Hours / 10 Lessons
5. Writing on Contemporary Issues: Culture Shock! Writing, Editing, and Publishing in Cyberspace, MIT OpenCourseWare
This class is an introduction to writing prose for an online audience. You will learn to create critically engaging essays using elements and aspects of contemporary American popular culture, as well as develop your unique personal voice.
Level: Beginner
Duration: 32 Hours / 21 Lessons
6. Cleaning Your Copy, News University
Journalists and others can benefit by understanding the basics of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and AP style. By the end of four lessons you’ll be able to identify and solve grammatical problems in your copy, select the correct word when choosing between tricky pairs (is it “who” or “whom?”), and apply the correct AP style for addresses, money, and numbers.
Level: All Levels
Duration: 4 Lessons
7. Becoming Digital: Writing About Media Change, MIT OpenCourseWare
As mechanical and chemical media are being augmented or supplanted by digital media, “Becoming Digital” traces the changes in practice, theory, and possibility. In this course you will work through and write about the ethical, aesthetic, technical, and cultural problems raised by primary and secondary readings.
Level: Beginner
Duration: 32 Hours / 21 Lessons
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