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

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1,635 ratings

Patrick Barry

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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

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.

Course 1 of 4 in the

Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

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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

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

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.82/5 (566 Ratings)

Patrick Barry

Clinical Assistant Professor of Law

Michigan Law School

122,781 Learners

12 Courses

Offered by

University of Michigan

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(14,532 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

7 hours to complete

The Words Under the Words

7 hours to complete

21 videos (Total 50 min), 16 readings, 14 quizzes

21 videos

Good with Words2mMaking You More Persuasive2mErrors and Insights3mMechanics and Strategy4mMap to a Decision3mSaints vs. Jerks4mBetter at Getting Better3mS.M.A.R.T. Goals and Stretch Goals2mRésumé Review4m6-60-63mTechnical and Tactical58sPunctuation and Professionalism2mPunctuation and Professionalism: Comma Splices3mNotes on Nuance: "Un-"1mGood Sentences3mReflection is a Team Sport2mStudent Takeaway: Words Under the Words22sStudent Takeaway: Better at Getting Better25sStudent Takeaway: T-Shaped25sStudent Takeaway: 6-60-636sStudent Takeaway: Writing as Mapping31s

16 readings

Teaching Style + Resources3mMeet Professor Barry3mSyllabus10mUniversity of Michigan Survey10mTeachers vs. Readers2mIntroduction to the Gamut Workbook Tool5mGamut Workbook FAQ: Locked Exercises3mGamut Workbook FAQ: Error 40310mPerforming Under Pressure and Expressive Writing10mThe Words Under the Words (Concept)15mThe Words Under the Words (Examples)5m"A Note About Me"7mThe Optimal Amount of Advocacy1mEdit Our Edits2mNotes on Nuance: "Un-"3mGarbage In, Garbage Out1m

9 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice4mLow-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice3mLow-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice10mLow-Stakes Practice5mPunctuation Practice: Comma Splices3mNuance Practice: "Un-"10mWeekly Review (Graded)15m

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

The Infinite Power of Grammar

3 hours to complete

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

12 videos

Previously On2mPreviously On: The Words Under the Words2mPreviously On: Deliberate Practice2mPreviously On: Mechanics and Strategy1mWriting as Redecorating2mThe Infinite Power of Grammar2mThe Animal Farm Principle1mPunctuation and Professionalism: "However"5mNotes on Nuance: "Almost" and "Even"1mTakeaways1mStudent Takeaway: Passive on Purpose25sStudent Takeaways: Positive No16s

6 readings

The Infinite Power of Grammar (Concept)8mThe Infinite Power of Grammar (Examples)5mPassive on Purpose5mPositive No10mNotes on Nuance: "Almost" and "Even"5mResource Request2m

5 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice6mLow-Stakes Practice ("Passive on Purpose")10mPunctuation Practice: "However"5mNuance Practice: "Almost" and "Even"10mWeekly Review (Graded)15m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

The Rule of Three

4 hours to complete

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

8 videos

Previously On39sPreviously On: Syntax1mPreviously On: The Animal Farm Principle3mThe Rule of Three1mPunctuation and Professionalism: Adverbial Conjunctions5mNotes on Nuance: "To"1mTakeaways1mStudent Takeaway: Rule of Three 29s

6 readings

The Rule of Three (Concept)15mThe Rule of Three (Examples)5mAlliteration, Restraint, and a Mind at Work10mAlliteration: Fan Favorite?2mStudent-->Teacher (Optional)20mNotes on Nuance : "To"3m

6 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice5mAlliteration30mPunctuation Practice: Adverbial Conjunctions5mNuance Practice: "To"5mWeekly Review (Graded)15m

Week4

Week 4

6 hours to complete

The Power of the Particular

6 hours to complete

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

14 videos

Previously On: Interleaving and "To"53sPreviously On: "Interleaving"5mPreviously On: "To"1mThe Power of the Particular1mWhat Makes a Word "Real"?17mSentences Nobody Else Can Write2mSentences Nobody Else WOULD Write1mS-H-A-P-E2mClass Clip: The S-H-A-P-E Framework12mPunctuation and Professionalism (Coordinating Conjunctions)3mNotes on Nuance: Chiasmus2mStudent Takeaway: Earn Your Generalizations26sStudent Takeaway: Sincerity Takes a Few Drafts28sNext Course: Writing is a Superpower51s

11 readings

The Power of the Particular (Concept)10mThe Power of the Particular (Examples)5mThe Phenomenology of Error3mWhat Makes a Word "Real"?1mSlang School5mThe S-H-A-P-E Framework Cheat Sheet5mNotes on Nuance: Chiasmus3mChiasmus: Fan Favorite?2mBook Recommendations3mCourse Feedback10mKeep Learning with Prof. Barry and Michigan Online2m

8 practice exercises

Low-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice7mLow-Stakes Practice5mLow-Stakes Practice7mPunctuation Practice (Coordinating Conjunctions)5mNuance Practice: Chiasmus5mWeekly Review (Graded)15m

Reviews

4.7

403 reviews

5 stars
81.41%
4 stars
13.44%
3 stars
2.81%
2 stars
0.91%
1 star
1.40%

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

by JLDec 30, 2020

Great course overall! I loved that I learned a lot about writing strategy and not just mechanics. I wasn't expecting that, and I think it was the most valuable piece of the course.

by GTNov 16, 2021

Professor Barry is skilled and compassionate in teaching the writing course. He's very clear with how he discuss concepts and make learning easier. And he's got a good taste in good sentences.

by JTOct 25, 2020

Very good information and well structured. Energetic, and focused on actionable lessons. I recommend this class to anybody who needs to do persuasive business writing or teaching.

by SSJul 1, 2020

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Excellent teaching and excellent material. Everyone can improve their professionalism by taking Professor Barry's writing on course, it's not just for lawyers.

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