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

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Good with Words: Writing and Editing SpecializationUniversity of Michigan

About this Course

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This third course in the “Good with Words: Writing and Editing” series will give you a number of strategies to help with what is often the most intimidating, even paralyzing part of the writing process: getting started.
You’ll learn about the “planning fallacy” and “temptation bundling.” You’ll get a chance to experiment with “freewriting” and “writing before you are ready.” And you’ll continue to benefit, through our ongoing “Good Sentences” and “Takeaways” segments, from the models and advice of a diverse set of writers. 

As with the other three courses in this series, you will also 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; 

(3)a monthly “Good Sentences” email.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 3 of 4 in the

Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 14 hours to complete

English

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

What you will learn

Understand and reflect on the cost of perfectionism in writing

Conduct a “pre-mortem” before starting a writing draft

Identify summaries and scenes

Apply the “nothing else” and “need to know” principles

Skills you will gain

PersuasionCreativityWritingTime managementEditing

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 3 of 4 in the

Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 14 hours to complete

English

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

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.86/5 (24 Ratings)

Patrick Barry

Clinical Assistant Professor of Law

Michigan Law School

50,933 Learners

4 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.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

4 hours to complete

The Fantasy of the Uninitiated

In this first week, we will focus on the cost of perfectionism.

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 19 min), 12 readings, 7 quizzes

8 videos

Introduction53s

Personalize Your Defaults5m

Temptation Bundling3m

Lamott and Elbow46s

Punctuation and Professionalism: Semicolons3m

Notes on Nuance: "Simultaneously"2m

Takeaways1m

Student Takeaways: Garbage in Your Head20s

12 readings

Teaching Style + Resources 3m

Help Us Learn More About You!10m

Class Clips10m

Writer's Block4m

Madman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge3m

Edit Our Edits2m

Exercise—The Cost of Perfectionism (Optional)25m

Punctuation and Professionalism: Introduction and Review10m

Notes on Nuance: Introduction and Review10m

Good Sentences: Introduction and Review4m

Good Sentences (Children)15m

Exercise—Takeaways Reflection5m

7 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Low-Stakes Practice2m

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Low-Stakes Practice10m

Punctuation Practice: Semicolons5m

Nuance Practice: Simultaneously5m

Weekly Review (Graded)30m

Week

Week 2

4 hours to complete

The Planning Fallacy

This week, we'll focus on "the planning fallacy" and ways to make sure you hit your deadlines.

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 10 min), 15 readings, 6 quizzes

7 videos

Previously On43s

Previously On: Personalized Defaults2m

The Planning Fallacy and Buffer or Suffer2m

Punctuation and Professionalism: Semicolon Substitution2m

Notes on Nuance: Equal Parts1m

Takeaways36s

Student Takeaway: Buffer or Suffer30s

15 readings

Previously On: Introduction and Review5m

Exercise—Previously On5m

The Planning Fallacy15m

The Boss as "Buffer"10m

Exercise—Predicting Projects5m

Exercise—Predicting Projects (Low Stakes)10m

Exercise—Predicting Projects (High Stakes)10m

Class Clips10m

My First Time (The Paris Review)5m

Fresh-Start Effect10m

Habits3m

Habitats5m

Notes on Nuance: "Equal Parts"5m

Good Sentences (Jobs)15m

Exercise—Takeaways Reflection5m

6 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Low-Stakes Practice10m

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Punctuation Practice: Semicolon Substitution5m

Weekly Review (Graded)20m

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Write Before You Are Ready

This week, we will focus on how drafting and researching intertwine.

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 16 min), 10 readings, 9 quizzes

8 videos

Previously On47s

Previously On: The Key to Getting Ahead Is Getting Started2m

Write Before You Are Ready2m

Punctuation and Professionalism: Semicolons and Complex Lists 4m

Notes on Nuance: "However"3m

Takeaways37s

Student Takeaways: Write Before You Are Ready #11m

Student Takeaways: Write Before You Are Ready #235s

10 readings

Exercise—Previously On10m

Class Clips10m

Start Fast3m

Pitches and Proposals (Resources)3m

Student-->Teacher (Optional)20m

(Optional) Word Choice, Word Confusion10m

Good vs. Well5m

Notes on Nuance: "However"10m

Exercise—Good Sentences (Environment)15m

Exercise—Takeaways Reflection5m

9 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Word Choice, Word Confusion5m

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Punctuation Practice: Semicolons and Complex Lists5m

Notes on Nuance Practice: "However"5m

Weekly Review (Graded)30m

Week

Week 4

3 hours to complete

To Name is To Know and Remember

This week, we will focus on the benefits of naming things, especially when trying to improve skills like writing and editing.

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 9 min), 10 readings, 5 quizzes

5 videos

Previously On1m

To Name is to Know and Remember3m

Punctuation and Professionalism: Semicolon Deviation1m

Notes on Nuance: "At Best, At Worst"2m

Takeaways37s

10 readings

Exercise—Previously On10m

Good with Words Chapter 10 ("To Name is to Know and Remember")20m

Class Clips10m

Notes on Nuance: "At Best, At Worst"10m

Exercise—Good Sentences (Property)15m

Exercise—Takeaways Reflection5m

Book Recommendations (Psychology)10m

(Optional) Exercise—Thank You Letter10m

Course Feedback10m

Keep Learning with Michigan Online10m

5 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5m

Punctuation Practice: Semicolon Deviation5m

Notes on Nuance Practice "At Best, At Worst"5m

Weekly Review (Graded)30m

Reviews

4.8

34 reviews

5 stars
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3 stars
2.99%
2 stars
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1 star
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TOP REVIEWS FROM WRITING AND EDITING: DRAFTING

by JEJan 3, 2021

Patrick Barry has put together a terrific series of courses! Skills in the nuances of writing, organizing complex ideas, planning, how to get around 'blocks' and get started. Well worth it!

by BAJan 24, 2021

It is an inspiration learning from Prof Barry. He knows his stuff. He is very well-read and he actually motivates me to read wide too.

by MCOct 10, 2020

Really great writing course with lots of real world examples and great context given. Would absolutely recommend to a friend.

by JKFeb 4, 2021

I have taken a writing course before, but Patrick Berrys' course has made me change my writing significantly for the better.

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.
What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Writing and Editing: Drafting