Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order

This course will teach you how to use your written words to become more persuasive. You'll learn creative ways to use syntax, effective storytelling techniques, and a clever method for organizing complex information. You'll also have the opportunity to both improve your punctuation skills and add a little style and sophistication to the way you compose everything from sentences to taglines. In addition, you'll have access to a wide range of books and other resources that you can use even after you complete the course. These include: (1) readings and exercises that were provided to students who took the in-person version of this course at the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago; (2) two digital libraries containing excellent writing from a variety of journalists, scholars, novelists, poets, historians, and entrepreneurs; and (3) a monthly newsletter, "Good Sentences." Social media has only accelerated the ways in which we all must learn to use our written work to communicate, 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 being "good with words."