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

4.8
stars
286 ratings

Patrick Barry

16,440 already enrolled

Offered By

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; and (3) a monthly “Good Sentences” email.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Course 3 of 4 in the

Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

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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

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.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 3 of 4 in the

Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

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

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.91/5 (48 Ratings)

Patrick Barry

Clinical Assistant Professor of Law

Michigan Law School

123,182 Learners

12 Courses

Offered by

University of Michigan

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(1,687 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

4 hours to complete

The Fantasy of the Uninitiated

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 19 min), 13 readings, 10 quizzes

8 videos

Introduction53sPersonalize Your Defaults5mTemptation Bundling3mLamott and Elbow46sPunctuation and Professionalism: Semicolons3mNotes on Nuance: "Simultaneously"2mTakeaways1mStudent Takeaways: Garbage in Your Head20s

13 readings

Teaching Style + Resources 3mMeet Professor Barry2mSyllabus10mUniversity of Michigan Survey10mWriter's Block4mMadman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge3mEdit Our Edits2mIntroduction to the Gamut Workbook Tool10mGamut Workbook FAQ: Locked Exercises3mGamut Workbook FAQ: Error 40310mPunctuation and Professionalism: Introduction and Review10mNotes on Nuance: Introduction and Review10mGood Sentences: Introduction and Review4m

7 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice2mLow-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice10mPunctuation Practice: Semicolons5mNuance Practice: Simultaneously5mWeekly Review (Graded)15m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

The Planning Fallacy

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 10 min), 8 readings, 13 quizzes

7 videos

Previously On43sPreviously On: Personalized Defaults2mThe Planning Fallacy and Buffer or Suffer2mPunctuation and Professionalism: Semicolon Substitution2mNotes on Nuance: Equal Parts1mTakeaways36sStudent Takeaway: Buffer or Suffer30s

8 readings

Previously On: Introduction and Review5mThe Planning Fallacy15mThe Boss as "Buffer"10mMy First Time (The Paris Review)5mFresh-Start Effect10mHabits3mHabitats5mNotes on Nuance: "Equal Parts"5m

6 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice10mLow-Stakes Practice5mPunctuation Practice: Semicolon Substitution5mWeekly Review (Graded)20m

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Write Before You Are Ready

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 16 min), 6 readings, 12 quizzes

8 videos

Previously On47sPreviously On: The Key to Getting Ahead Is Getting Started2mWrite Before You Are Ready2mPunctuation and Professionalism: Semicolons and Complex Lists 4mNotes on Nuance: "However"3mTakeaways37sStudent Takeaways: Write Before You Are Ready #11mStudent Takeaways: Write Before You Are Ready #235s

6 readings

Start Fast3mPitches and Proposals (Resources)3mStudent-->Teacher (Optional)20m(Optional) Word Choice, Word Confusion10mGood vs. Well5mNotes on Nuance: "However"10m

9 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice5mWord Choice, Word Confusion5mLow-Stakes Practice5mPunctuation Practice: Semicolons and Complex Lists5mNotes on Nuance Practice: "However"5mWeekly Review (Graded)30m

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

To Name is To Know and Remember

3 hours to complete

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

5 videos

Previously On1mTo Name is to Know and Remember3mPunctuation and Professionalism: Semicolon Deviation1mNotes on Nuance: "At Best, At Worst"2mTakeaways37s

5 readings

Good with Words Chapter 10 ("To Name is to Know and Remember")20mNotes on Nuance: "At Best, At Worst"10mBook Recommendations (Psychology)10mCourse Feedback10mKeep Learning with Prof. Barry and Michigan Online1m

5 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice5mPunctuation Practice: Semicolon Deviation5mNotes on Nuance Practice "At Best, At Worst"5mWeekly Review (Graded)30m

Reviews

4.8

63 reviews

5 stars
84.96%
4 stars
10.83%
3 stars
3.14%
2 stars
0.69%
1 star
0.34%

TOP REVIEWS FROM WRITING AND EDITING: DRAFTING

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.

by JAAug 8, 2022

Excellent content with good insightful exercises and tests

by CRSep 3, 2020

Fantastic, well worth the investment for anyone who wants to learn to communicate their ideas 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.
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: Drafting

About this Course

What you will learn

Skills you will gain