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Writing and Editing

Drafting

Patrick Barry

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.

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What's inside

Syllabus

The Fantasy of the Uninitiated

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

The Planning Fallacy

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

Write Before You Are Ready

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

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.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

This course is designed for aspiring writers as well as students, journalists, and professionals who want to improve their writing skills

Introduces strategies to overcome the common challenges faced by writers, such as perfectionism and procrastination

Provides practical techniques and exercises to help writers improve their writing process and produce high-quality content

Offers insights and advice from experienced writers and editors to enhance students' writing abilities

Provides ongoing support and resources through monthly email updates and access to digital libraries of优秀 writing

Taught by experienced instructors with a strong reputation in the field of writing and editing

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Reviews summary

Well-received writing course

Learners say this well-received writing course is a great, informative, and helpful introduction to drafting. Patrick Barry is a great teacher who provides many practical and useful tips for improving one's writing skills. Learners say Barry is a motivating and engaging instructor who provides many resources for learners. This course is a great value for those who want to learn how to write and edit more effectively.

Barry is a motivating teacher

"Professor Barry is excellent at teaching, giving great inspirations to me."

"It is an inspiration learning from Prof Barry. He knows his stuff."

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

Barry provides many resources for learners

"Thank you Professor Barry so many insightful references/ressources in every course. :)"

"If you're trying to write better, draft better, or edit better - this course is definitely for you! Prof. Barry also provides a lot of great extra material that are useful and practical."

"Such a wonderful course! The ideas, the flow of information, the recourses, everything was so beneficial."

Course provides practical tips for improving writing

"This course's learning material is somewhat thight (at least for me), but Prof Barry make it easy to understand"

"Excellent course! Tons of great tips on writing and editing!Thanks!"

"If you want to improve your writing skills in a painless way, do this course and all the others in the specialization."

Course is a little short

"A bit short, but still worth five stars for its invaluable knowledge"

"It was a little bit less technical than other courses, but more practical. It has some precious tips or insights into drafting."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Writing and Editing: Drafting with these activities:

Review high school English grammar

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Understand the basics of grammar to prepare for college-level writing courses

Browse courses on Grammar

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Review parts of speech and their functions
Identify different types of sentences
Practice using correct grammar in writing

Read 'The Elements of Style' by Strunk and White

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Familiarize yourself with the principles of clear and effective writing

View The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly
Take notes and highlight key points
Apply the principles to your own writing

Complete writing exercises

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Reinforce writing skills and improve accuracy

Browse courses on Writing Skills

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Identify areas for improvement
Find exercises that target specific writing skills
Practice regularly and track your progress

Six other activities

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Show all nine activities

Follow online tutorials on writing essays

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Learn the structure and elements of essay writing

Browse courses on Essay Writing

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Find reputable online writing resources
Follow step-by-step instructions on writing different types of essays
Apply the learned techniques in your own writing

Volunteer at a literacy organization

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Enhance your writing abilities while supporting literacy efforts

Browse courses on Literacy

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Find a local literacy organization
Offer your writing skills as a volunteer
Participate in activities such as tutoring or writing workshops

Write a descriptive essay

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Practice applying the principles of writing to a specific writing task

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Choose a topic that inspires you
Gather sensory details and paint a vivid picture with words
Use strong verbs and evocative language
Organize your essay logically and effectively

Participate in writing workshops

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Gain feedback from peers and improve writing through collaboration

Browse courses on Writing Skills

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Find a writing workshop or group
Share your work and provide constructive feedback
Incorporate feedback into your writing

Contribute to open-source writing projects

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Enhance your writing abilities while collaborating on real-world projects

Browse courses on Open Source

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Find open-source writing projects that align with your interests
Join the community and contribute to discussions
Write or edit content for the project

Create a writing portfolio

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Showcase your writing abilities and prepare for job applications or further education

Browse courses on Writing Skills

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Select your best writing samples
Organize your portfolio logically
Write a cover letter and resume to accompany your portfolio

Career center

Learners who complete Writing and Editing: Drafting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Technical Writer

Technical Writers translate complex technical information into easily understandable formats. Because of this, they must be able to understand and clearly explain abstract or confusing concepts. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Technical Writer, as the target reader for these documents often lacks the background knowledge of the writer. Additionally, this course includes two digital libraries of excellent writing from a diverse collection of journalists, scientists, novelists, poets, historians, and entrepreneurs. Studying the work of accomplished writers can aid in developing one's own writing style.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Content Writer

Content Writers are responsible for planning, writing and editing web content, such as website pages, blog posts, articles, and social media posts. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Content Writer as the target reader for these documents often lacks the background knowledge of the writer. The topics of this course focus on getting started with writing projects, especially when the writer is not confident or faces writer's block. Being able to get started on a project is a critical skill for a Content Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Copywriter

Copywriters create written content for marketing and advertising purposes. They write everything from slogans and taglines to website copy and brochures. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Copywriter as the target reader for these documents often lacks the background knowledge of the writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Editor

Editors review, edit, and revise written material to improve its accuracy, clarity, and coherence. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for an Editor, as they must understand the mechanics of good writing in order to help other writers improve. This course includes exercises to help writers check their own work and improve their editing skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Journalist as they must be able to quickly and accurately report on events.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Novelist

Novelists write novels, which are long works of fiction. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Novelist as they must be able to create and maintain a consistent writing style over the course of a long work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist

Poet

Poets write poems, which are short works of poetry. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Poet as they must be able to use language in a precise and evocative way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Poet

Screenwriter

Screenwriters write scripts for movies and television shows. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Screenwriter as they must be able to create characters and dialogue that are both interesting and believable. This course also covers topics such as procrastination and perfectionism, which commonly affect writers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Speechwriter

Speechwriters write speeches for politicians, business leaders, and other public figures. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Speechwriter, as they must be able to write speeches that are both informative and persuasive.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

Grant Writer

Grant Writers write grant proposals to secure funding for non-profit organizations and businesses. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Grant Writer, as they must be able to write proposals that are both persuasive and informative. This course also teaches students how to think about their writing in different ways, which is helpful when trying to meet the requirements of a particular grant proposal.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

User Experience (UX) Writer

UX Writers write text for websites, apps, and other digital products. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a UX Writer, as they must be able to write text that is both informative and easy to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience (UX) Writer

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create and develop educational materials, such as online courses, training manuals, and presentations. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for an Instructional Designer, as they must be able to write materials that are both informative and engaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Technical Communicator

Technical Communicators create technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Technical Communicator, as they must be able to write documents that are both informative and easy to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Communicator

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a Marketing Manager, as they must be able to write marketing materials that are both persuasive and informative. This course also covers the basics of SEO, which is important for marketing managers who want to improve the visibility of their website.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Public Relations (PR) Specialist

PR Specialists manage the public relations of organizations. Writing and Editing: Drafting can help build a foundation in writing clear and concise text. This is very useful for a PR Specialist, as they must be able to write press releases and other public relations materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations (PR) Specialist

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Writing and Editing: Drafting.

Foundations of Computer Vision

Save

This classic guide to writing must-read for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. It offers clear and concise advice on everything from grammar and punctuation to style and structure.

Foundations of Computer Vision (Adaptive...

Hardcover

$$$

Foundations of Computer Vision (Adaptive...

Kindle Edition

$$$