Writing and Editing: Drafting (Coursera)

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:

—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

—two digital libraries of excellent writing from a diverse collection of journalists, scientists, novelists, poets, historians, and entrepreneurs.

—a monthly “Good Sentences” email

Course 3 of 4 in the Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization.

What You Will Learn

- Understand and reflect on the cost of perfectionism in writing

- Conduct a “pre-mortem” before starting a writing draft

- Identify summaries and scenes

- Apply the “nothing else” and “need to know” principles

Syllabus

WEEK 1

The Fantasy of the Uninitiated

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

WEEK 2

The Planning Fallacy

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

WEEK 3

Write Before You Are Ready

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

WEEK 4

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.