Writing and Editing: Drafting

This third course in the Word-Fine series: In this third course in the Writing and Editing series, you'll learn several strategies to help you tackle what's often the most daunting, even paralyzing, part of the writing process: getting started. You'll learn about the "planning fallacy" and "combining temptations." You'll have the opportunity to experiment with "free writing" and "writing before you're ready." And you'll continue to benefit from models and advice from a variety of writers using our regular "Good Sentences" and "Conclusions" segments. As with the other three courses in this series, you'll also have access to a wide range of books and other resources that you can use after you complete the course. These include: (1) readings and exercises provided to students who have taken the in-person version of this course at the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago; (2) two online libraries of excellent writing from a variety of journalists, scholars, novelists, poets, historians, and entrepreneurs; and (3) a monthly newsletter, "Good Suggestions."