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.
This course is part of the Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization
Offered By
About this Course
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
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
The Words Under the Words
In this first week, you will be introduced to instructor Patrick Barry. This week's course content will focus on how the words you choose can change the decisions that people make.
The Infinite Power of Grammar
This week, we will focus on how the order of the words you choose can change the decisions people make.
The Rule of Three
In Week Three, we will focus on combining word choice with word order.
The Power of the Particular
Our final week will focus on filling our writing with compelling details.
Reviews
- 5 stars81.12%
- 4 stars13.71%
- 3 stars2.99%
- 2 stars0.90%
- 1 star1.25%
TOP REVIEWS FROM WRITING AND EDITING: WORD CHOICE AND WORD ORDER
It is an excellent course that offers deep insights into the importance of words, it's usage in professional writing, and the impact it makes. I've learnt a lot from the course. Thank you Coursera.
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.
I definitely mentioned Professor Barry in my blog https://tolulopeinspire.com/2020/07/12/no/, thank you for helping me realize that it's a whole new and big world in writing.
Extremely helpful. Of course, I'm not a law student, but the pointers for better writing and practicing writing have been extremely beneficial. Looking forward to the rest of the courses!
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.

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