free essay writing courses

Alison's New App is now available on iOS and Android! Download Now

Are you a business or organisation seeking to train and upskill your employees?

If yes, check out Alison’s Free LMS here!

header.all_certificate_courses

Personal development, sales & marketing, engineering & construction, teaching & academics.

Become an Alison Affiliate in one click, and start earning money by sharing any page on the Alison website.

• Change Language
• All Courses
• Essay writing

Free Online Essay Writing Courses

These free online essay writing courses will teach you useful tips and methods on how to construct and write an exceptional essay. An essay is a short piece of writing representing a side of an argument or ones experiences and stories. You will learn the different types of essays and their different parts as well as how to persuade your readers using selected research evidence.... …Read More These free online essay writing courses will teach you useful tips and methods on how to construct and write an exceptional essay. An essay is a short piece of writing representing a side of an argument or one’s experiences and stories. You will learn the different types of essays and their different parts as well as how to persuade your readers using selected research evidence. Read Less

• 0 Free Courses
• 0 Certificates & Diplomas Earned

Browse Related Subjects

Benefits of an alison certificate, certify your skills, stand out from the crowd, advance in your career.

Explore Courses By Category

Explore in-demand careers, explore subjects, over 40 million learners have used alison to empower themselves.

Not sure where to begin? What is your main goal on Alison?

What is your main goal on alison.

• 4,500+ free courses
• 40 million+ learners
• 8 million+ graduates
• 195 countries

Explore Course Categories

Join our community of 40 million+ learners, upskill with CPD UK accredited courses, explore career development tools and psychometrics - all for free.

• Reset password form here

Enter your friend's email address

• The Open University
• Accessibility hub
• Guest user / Sign out
• Study with The Open University

My OpenLearn Profile

Personalise your OpenLearn profile, save your favourite content and get recognition for your learning

About this free course

Become an ou student, download this course, share this free course.

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.

Essay and report writing skills

Introduction.

Most academic courses will require you to write assignments or reports, and this free OpenLearn course, Essay and report writing skills , is designed to help you to develop the skills you need to write effectively for academic purposes. It contains clear instruction and a range of activities to help you to understand what is required, and to plan, structure and write your assignments or reports. You will also find out how to use feedback to develop your skills.

Find out more about studying with The Open University by visiting our online prospectus [ Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. ( Hide tip ) ] .

Tell us what you think! We’d love to hear from you to help us improve our free learning offering through OpenLearn by filling out this short survey .

Harvard and MIT’s $800 Million Mistake

Harvard and MIT’s $800 Million Mistake: The Triple Failure of 2U, edX, and Axim Collaborative

The future of Coursera’s only credible alternative for universities rests in the hands of 2U’s creditors.

• 10 Best Data Science Courses for 2024
• 7 Best Free OCaml Courses for 2024
• 6 Best Free Ecology Courses for 2024
• [2024] Massive List of Thousands of Free Certificates and Badges
• Learn Something New: 100 Most Popular Courses For September

600 Free Google Certifications

Most common

• web development

Popular subjects

Computer Science

Artificial Intelligence

Popular courses

Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology

The Science of Well-Being

Mountains 101

Organize and share your learning with Class Central Lists.

View our Lists Showcase

Academic Writing Courses and Certifications

Learn Academic Writing, earn certificates with paid and free online courses from Harvard, MIT, UC Irvine, UC Berkeley and other top universities around the world. Read reviews to decide if a class is right for you.

• IELTS Courses
• Grammar & Writing Courses
• ESL Courses
• Higher Education Courses
• Microsoft Word Courses
• Technical Writing Courses
• Creative Writing Courses
• Copywriting Courses
• With certificate (122)
• Free course (149)
• With free certificate (11)
• University course only (99)
• Beginner (70)
• Intermediate (18)
• Advanced (5)
• < 30 mins (10)
• 30 - 60 mins (16)
• 1 - 2 hours (32)
• 2 - 5 hours (15)
• 5 - 10 hours (22)
• 10+ hours (70)
• English (171)
• Chinese (2)
• Italian (1)
• Portuguese (1)
• Russian (2)
• Spanish (12)
• Swedish (1)

Academic Writing Made Easy

Struggling with writing an academic text? This MOOC will ease the pain – and make your writing shine.

• 8 weeks, 2-3 hours a week
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Getting Started with Essay Writing

By introducing you to three types of academic essays, this course will especially help prepare you for work in college classes, but anyone who wants to improve his or her writing skills can benefit from this course.

Advanced Writing

After completing this course, you will be able to plan and write a more sophisticated argument essay.

• 19 hours 40 minutes

Understanding IELTS: Writing

Find out what you need to know about the IELTS Writing test and learn techniques and strategies to improve your test performance.

• FutureLearn
• 3 weeks, 3 hours a week
• Paid Course

Academic Writing

This course aims to fill this gap by providing the fundamental knowledge required for effective and result oriented academic writing. It is a foundation course and the application of this knowledge completely depends on an individual learner and his or h…

• Free Online Course

Writing for Academic and Public Audiences - Professor Duncan White

Explore the transition from academic to public writing with Professor Duncan White, discussing craft, audience, and practical advice for aspiring writers.

• 1 hour 15 minutes

Writing Skills for University Success

In this course, you’ll learn how to write effectively in different academic formats, especially essays and longer research papers.

• 7 hours 11 minutes

How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (Project-Centered Course)

In this project-based course, you will outline a complete scientific paper, choose an appropriate journal to which you'll submit the finished paper for publication, and prepare a checklist that will allow you to independently judge whether your paper is…

• 13 hours 8 minutes

Academic English: How to Write an Essay

A practical and introductory course to build your skills in academic writing.

• 10 weeks, 2-3 hours a week

Writing your World: Finding yourself in the academic space

In this course, we provide practical insights into how to write an academic essay. We show you how to develop the academic skills needed to be a competent academic writer.

• 19 hours 7 minutes

Academic English: How to Write a Thesis

Master the art of academic writing, from planning to publishing. Learn key structures, language features, and disciplinary expectations for crafting a compelling research thesis or journal article.

• 10 weeks, 1-3 hours a week

The academic writing course targets individuals transitioning from non-academic backgrounds, catering to school leavers and professionals re-entering higher education.

Essay Essentials: Improve Your Academic Writing

Achieve academic essay success by learning and practicing essential writing skills in this step by step course

• 1 hour 14 minutes

Academic Writing Essentials: University Writing Crash Course

Learn the strategies, tools, and secrets to write successfully at the university level

• 3 hours 57 minutes

Writing in English at University

This course aims to give you an understanding of the conventions of academic writing in English and to teach you the components and benefits of what is called process writing.

• 1 day 1 hour 15 minutes

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Free tools to make your students better writers and readers .

Quill.org, a non-profit, provides free literacy activities that build reading comprehension, writing, and language skills for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Writing Across the Curriculum: Quill's nonprofit mission is to now build both reading and writing skills through free, OER content across the curriculum. Over the coming years, we will be building a library of free ELA, social studies, and science activities that engage students in deeper thinking through writing prompts that provide immediate feedback.

9.4 million students have written 2 billion sentences on Quill.

Quill Reading for Evidence

Provide your students with nonfiction texts paired with AI-powered writing prompts, instead of multiple-choice questions, to enable deeper thinking.

Students read a nonfiction text and build their comprehension through writing prompts, supporting a series of claims with evidence sourced from the text. Quill challenges students to write responses that are precise, logical, and based on textual evidence, with Quill coaching the student through custom, targeted feedback on each revision so that students strengthen their reading comprehension and hone their writing skills.

Video not supported

Culture & Society Topics

"Should Schools Have Grade Requirements for Student Athletes?"

Science Topics

"How Does Eating Meat Impact Global Warming?"

Social Studies Topics

World History

Quill Connect

Help your students advance from fragmented and run-on sentences to complex and well structured ones.

Using the evidence-based strategy of sentence combining, students combine multiple ideas into a single sentence. They then receive instant feedback designed to help them improve their clarity and precision.

Quill Lessons

The Quill Lessons tool enables teachers to lead whole-class and small-group writing instruction.

Teachers control interactive slides that contain writing prompts, and the entire class responds to each prompt. Each Quill Lessons activity provides a lesson plan, writing prompts, discussion topics, and a follow up independent practice activity.

Quill Diagnostic

Quickly determine which skills your students need to work on with our diagnostics.

The diagnostics cover vital sentence construction skills and generate personalized learning plans based on the student’s performance.

Quill Proofreader

Proofreader teaches your students editing skills by having them proofread passages.

Students edit passages and receive personalized exercises based on their results. With over 100 expository passages, Proofreader gives students the practice they need to spot common grammatical errors.

Quill Grammar

Students practice basic grammar skills, from comma placement to parallel structure.

Quill Grammar has over 150 sentence writing activities to help your students. Our activities are designed to be completed in 10 minutes so you have the freedom to use them in the way that works best for your classroom.

How Quill Works

Set up your classroom, without it.

You can quickly and easily set up your classroom in Quill by inputting student names or providing students with a unique code. If you use Google Classroom or Clever, you can automatically set up your classroom with one click.

Choose activities

Decide if you want your students to proofread passages, combine sentences, or complete a diagnostic. Use our ten minute activities as building blocks during your classroom instruction.

Use easy-to-consume reporting

Use our reporting to spot trends and identify growth opportunities. Monitor comprehension on specific writing standards.

Get immediate feedback for your students

Save time grading and watch your students correct their mistakes instantly.

Intervene where students struggle

See exactly where your students need intervention with our comprehensive reports.

Differentiate learning to meet the needs of all students

Assign specific activities for ELLs and students with learning differences.

Engage students with adaptive activities

Challenge students with questions that automatically adapt based on their previous responses.

Align with the Common Core Standards

Easily meet Common Core language standards with our aligned activities.

Easily sign up with Google Classroom

With one click all of your students and classes will be imported.

Over 100 concepts totaling 50 hours of quality curriculum.

Teacher stories

Quill in the classroom.

ROXANNA BUTKUS, RANGEVIEW ELEMENTARY

SARA ANGEL, KIPP LA

COLETTE KANG, EAST BAY INNOVATION ACADEMY

DANIEL SCIBIENSKI, PRINCETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

3rd Grade ELA

5th Grade ELA

6th Grade ELA

8th Grade ELA & ELL

Join over 2,000 schools using Quill to advance student writing.

Quill Premium

Quill Premium's advanced reporting features are the best way to support teachers at the school or district level.

IELTS Writing Task 2: All You Need to know

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

“With the help of this article, know all about the format, tips, and techniques to crack your IELTS Writing Task 2 all before kickstart your IELTS preparations!“

Understanding IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write an essay in response to a given general topic. This task is designed to assess your skills based on presenting a clear position, developing an argument logically, and organizing ideas coherently.

To achieve a high score, you must understand the task format and question types, analyze prompts effectively, and structure your essay appropriately. This blog post will break down everything you need to know from the format of the IELTS task 2 writing to tricks to solve it effortlessly.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 Test Papers

IELTS General Writing Task 2 Test Papers

Difference between ielts writing task 2 academic vs general.

To understand the differences between Academic and General Training in IELTS Writing Task 2, here is a helpful comparison table:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Format

Task Requirement: Write an academic-style essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.

Assessment: Assesses your ability to present a solution or opinion in a logical, structured way.

Duration: 40 minutes

IELTS Writing Task 2 Scoring Criteria

To understand how your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is evaluated by the examiner, it is crucial to be familiar with the assessment criteria!

Have a look at the table below to learn more about the evaluation criteria!

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

There are 6 types of questions in the IELTS Writing Task 2 and you may get any one type in your IELTS test. Hence, get to know about them to identify the question prompts effortlessly!

• Opinion 

You need to pick a side of the given two sides of an argument write in support of it and provide reasons for your opinion.

• Agree/Disagree

Here, you need to state whether you agree or disagree with a given statement and support it with reasons and examples.

Discussion (Discuss Both Views)

This type requires you to discuss both sides of an issue and then give your own opinion at last.

• Problem/Solution

You have to identify problems related to the topic and suggest possible solutions.

• Advantages/Disadvantages

This question asks you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a particular situation or issue.

• Double Question (Direct Questions)

You must answer two or more direct questions related to a single topic and support it with proper examples as well.

Useful IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the second part of the two writing tasks and is one of the most challenging parts of the IELTS test. Most students also find it more difficult than Writing Task 1. Therefore, access to some quick tips for task 2 writing IELTS:

• Understand the Task: Test-takers should identify the key components, the question type, and any specific instructions before outlining the key points that should be covered.
• Plan Before You Write: Before diving into the essay, candidates should spend a few minutes planning the response. A clear outline needs to include an introduction, the main points for each body paragraph, and the conclusion.
• Follow a Structured Essay Format: Every essay type has a specific structure. So, sticking to the traditional essay structure with a clear introduction, well-developed body paragraphs, and a concluding summary enhances the readability of the essay.
• Provide Supportive Examples: Test-takers should support their arguments with concrete examples and evidence. This not only strengthens the expressed opinion but also showcases the ability to develop ideas.
• Use Linking Words and Phrases: Candidates should employ linking words and phrases to connect ideas within and between sentences. This improves the overall flow and coherence of the essay.
• Revise and Proofread: This is one of the most vital steps and test-takers need to allocate some time at the end to review and edit their essay. They should check for grammatical errors, clarity, and coherence and ensure that the essay effectively communicates their ideas.
• Write Regularly Under Time Constraints: Practice writing essays within the 40-minute. This helps improve your time management skills and ensures that you can effectively express your ideas within the given constraints.
• Seek Feedback: To understand the weak areas and improve them, test-takers need to share their practice essays with teachers, peers, or online communities like the one created by IELTSMaterial . Constructive feedback helps identify areas for improvement and provides valuable insights.

Top 8 Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing Task 2

1. misunderstanding the question.

Many test-takers misunderstand the question, leading to off-topic essays.

2. Poor Time Management

Struggling to manage time effectively often results in incomplete essays.

3. Lack of Ideas

Difficulty in generating relevant ideas quickly is a common problem.

4. Disorganized Structure

Failing to organize thoughts into clear, logical paragraphs is a frequent mistake.

5. Grammar Errors

Frequent grammar errors can significantly lower the writing score.

6. Limited Vocabulary

Using a limited vocabulary makes it hard to express ideas effectively.

7. Weak Evidence

Providing weak examples usually weakens arguments and doesn’t provide a strong essay.

8. Incorrect Word Count

Not meeting the required word count can negatively affect the score.

Band Descriptors IELTS Writing Task 2

Structure For Answering the IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

The IELTS Writing Task 2 section has different types of essays that may be asked, each requiring a specific structure and approach. The main 6 IELTS Writing Task 2 question types and their standard structure are summarized in the table below:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with Sample Answers

Let's look at the different IELTS writing task 2 essay types that may appear in Writing Task 2:

Opinion Essay

These prompts simply ask for your  opinion  on a topic without presenting two views.

Sample prompt:  "Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime. What is your opinion on this?

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay below:

• Some People Believe that Nowadays We Have Too Many Choices- IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay Topic: Prevention is better than cure
• Universities Should Accept Equal Numbers of Male and Female Students in Every Subject – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Doing an Enjoyable Activity with a Child Can Develop Better Skills and More Creativity Than Reading – IELTS
• All Children Should be Made to Wear School Uniforms- IELTS Writing Task 2

Agree and Disagree Essay

These questions ask your opinion on a statement or proposal. You must decide whether you agree or disagree and support your view.

Sample prompt:   "Unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs." To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Agree and Disagree Essay below:

• It is more important to spend public money on promoting a healthy lifestyle – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Foreign Visitors Should Pay More Than Local Visitors for Cultural and Historical Attractions – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some people believe that air travel should be restricted Sample Essay
• When a Country Develops its Technology the Traditional Skills and Ways of Life Die Out – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Reading stories from a book is better than watching TV Sample Essay

These prompts present two perspectives on an issue and ask you to  discuss  and examine both sides.

Sample prompt:   "Some people think the manufacturers and shopping malls should sell fewer packaged products while others argue that people have the responsibility to buy products with less packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion."

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay below:

• In Some Countries, a Few People Earn Extremely High Salaries – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some People Think that Children Should Start School Sooner- IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some People Think that it is Better to Educate Girls and Boys in Separate Schools- IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some Companies Sponsor Sport and Sports Stars as a Way to Advertise Themselves – IELTS Writing Task 2
• University Students Should Study Whatever They Like Sample Essay

Problem/Solution Essay

These questions given in the  problem/solution  essay describe an issue and ask you to propose solutions.

Sample prompt:   "In many cities, public transport systems are inadequate and road congestion is increasing. What are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?"

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem/Solution Essay below:

• Many Working People get little or no Exercise either During the Working Day- IELTS Writing Task 2
• Doctors Recommend that Older People Exercise Regularly- IELTS Writing Task 2
• Over Population Of Urban Areas Has Led To Numerous Problems – IELTS Writing Task 2
• An Increase in Production of Consumer Goods Results in Damage to the Natural Environment- IELTS Writing Task
• In the Developed World, Average Life Expectancy is Increasing- IELTS Writing Task 2

Advantages/Disadvantages Essay

These prompts ask you to analyze the  advantages and disadvantages  of an issue.

Sample prompt:  "Studying overseas has many benefits for students. However, there are also some disadvantages. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion."

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Advantages/Disadvantages Essay below:

• People now have the Freedom to Work and live Anywhere in the World- IELTS Writing Task 2
• In Some Countries People Prefer to Rent a House than Buy One – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Planners Tend to Arrange Shops, Schools, Offices and Homes in Specific Areas – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Technology is Increasingly Being Used to Monitor What People Are Saying And Doing Sample Essays
• In the Past, When Students Did a University Degree, They Tended to Study in Their Own Country – IELTS

Direct Question Essay

These prompts which are also known as  Direct Question  essays give you a statement along with a related question.

Sample prompt:   "A growing number of people are living alone in many major cities. What are the reasons for this? Why do they choose to live alone?

Check out more IELTS Writing Task 2 Direct Question Essay below:

• Is freedom of speech necessary in a free society? – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Many People Like to Wear Fashionable Clothes – IELTS Writing Task 2
• Consumers Are Faced With Increasing Numbers of Advertisements From Competing Companies – IELTS
• There are Many Different Types of Music in The World Today – IELTS Writing Task 2
• More and more people want to buy famous brands with clothes- IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics with Answers

Below is the list of IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics with Answers which you can refer to for the exam.

• Topic: Family
• Topic: Press, news on internet & newspapers
• Topic: Families
• Topic - Environment
• Topic: Invention 
• Topic: Aging Population
• Topic: Art & Technology
• Topic: Career
• Topic: Dangerous Sports
• Topic: Technology
• Topic: Travel & Tourism
• Topic: International Car-free Days & Sample Essay
• Topic: Traffic
• Topic: Transportation
• Topic: TV or Radio
• Topic: Communication Technology
• Topic: Living in Campus
• Topic: Crime
• Collocations - Topic: The Environment
• Useful Collocations - Topic: Government

Trending Essay Topics

• Every year several languages die out
• Some People Think That Parents Should Teach Children How to be Good Members of Society
• Happiness is considered very important in life
• In some countries the average weight of people is increasing
• Young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school
• Research Indicates That the Characteristics We are Born With Have Much More Influence On Our Personality

Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics with Sample Essays

Below is the list of Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics with   Sample Essays :

• Topic 01: Media
• Topic 02: Successful Sports Professionals
• Topic 03:Smoking
• Topic 04: Children today play very violent games
• Topic 05:The birth rate in most developed countries
• Topic 06: Many families find it necessary for both parents go out to work
• Topic 07: Women and men are commonly seen as having different strength and weaknesses
• Topic 08: Increase in violent crime among youngsters
• Topic 09: Good Job
• Topic 10: Different medical traditions
• Topic 11:Need to prepare for tests and examinations
• Topic 12: Eating Fish
• Topic 13:Concerned about the number of children who are overweight
• Topic 14: Freedom of Speech
• Topic: Architecture & History
• Topic: Digital Communication
• Topic: Economic Development
• Topic: Education
• Topic: Environment
• Topic: Food & Transport
• Topic: Government
• Topic: Newspapers
• Topic: Sports
• Topic: Television & Children
• Topic: Economic Growth

The key is to practice regularly and make writing a habit until your final   IELTS Writing  test! With this preparation, you'll be ready to achieve your desired band in no time. We bet you’re all aware of the IELTS Writing Task 2 so now get ready to gather our expert tricks to crack your writing task 1. Pick between  IELTS General Writing Task 1  and the   IELTS Academic Writing Task 1  as per your preference and start now!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many paragraphs should my essay have?

What’s better - a longer or shorter essay?

Should I write in the first or third person?

How strict are they on word count?

Can I bring in outside knowledge on the topic?

What’s the best way to prepare for Task 2?

Should I write legibly?

What if I make mistakes or cross things out?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

Recent articles.

Janice Thompson

IELTSMaterial Master Program

1:1 Live Training with Band 9 Teachers

4.9 ( 3452 Reviews )

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Step 1 of 3

Great going .

Get a free session from trainer

Have you taken test before?

Please select any option

Email test -->

Please enter Email ID

Mobile Band 9 trainer -->

Please enter phone number

Application

Please select any one

Already Registered?

Select a date

Please select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Please select a time

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

Which exam are you preparing?

Great Going!

The Top 12 Free Online Creative Writing Courses for Budding Authors

• riazul-islam
• September 1, 2024

Table of Contents

E-learning has opened new doors for aspiring creative talent around the globe. Over the past decade, free massive open online courses (MOOCs) have made instruction by top professors at Ivy League schools accessible to anyone with wifi. Fields like creative writing have especially benefited. Today‘s writers can systematically build literary techniques without paying tuition or leaving home.

"Online courses create welcoming communities where emerging authors support each other‘s development," says Dr. Hannah Stevens, a poetry lecturer with over 20 years of teaching experience. "Seeing fellow students from totally different backgrounds thrive gives people confidence to find their own voice."

Completion rates for virtual creative writing courses can rival traditional college classes, with 60% to 70% of enrollees finishing all assignments. Learners also report high satisfaction—92% say online writing workshops positively impacted their craft.

So which courses will unlock your storytelling potential without draining your bank account? I‘ve compiled reviews of 12 top-notch free writing classes covering fiction, poetry, scripts, songs, and memoirs. Whether you‘re starting from scratch or preparing to publish, these will sharpen your skills.

1. Introduction to Creative Writing

Offered By : University of East Anglia/FutureLearn Duration : 2 weeks at 2 hours per week

This Popular Class gives aspiring authors an overview of key aspects of creative writing, from generating ideas to composing compelling fiction. Through video lessons and writing exercises, you‘ll practice essential skills like character development, structuring a scene, and editing your work. An active online community also allows you to share drafts and offer constructive feedback on fellow students’ writing.

Key topics :

• Finding inspiration
• Creating authentic characters
• Plot and narrative structure
• Point of view and voice
• Revising your work critically

My Take : This course offers a nicely condensed introduction for writing newcomers. The discussing drafts forum helps writers workshop stories organically. One downside—I wish the certificate recognized completion with more than a digital badge.

2. Writing Your First Novel

Offered By : Open University via FutureLearn Duration : 3 weeks at 3 hours per week

Taught by bestselling authors like Peter James pictured here, this free online creative writing course provides expert guidance on planning, writing, editing, and publishing a novel. You‘ll map out plot and characters for your book, analyze scenes from famous published works, complete weekly milestones for drafts, and learn to take feedback from fellow writers.

• Developing an idea into a novel
• Structuring your book effectively
• Writing convincing dialogue
• Handling multiple storylines
• Preparing your manuscript for submission

My Take : Budding novelists should definitely consider this course. Having published authors for teachers allows you to model your work after writers who‘ve navigated the submission process successfully. My only complaint is that three weeks feels short—I could have used a couple more lessons.

3. Creative Writing: Start Writing Fiction

Offered By : University of British Columbia via edX Duration : 5 weeks at 2-4 hours per week

This hands-on creative writing workshop focuses on the key elements of compelling short fiction. You‘ll dig into aspects like establishing a narrative voice, bringing settings and characters to life, and structuring events into meaningful arcs. By the end, you’ll produce one complete short story and refine your overall approach to fictional writing.

• Fundamentals of fiction writing
• Building realistic characters
• Immersive worldbuilding
• Outlining stories

My Take : The full short story workshop process in this course is invaluable. Having your draft critiqued by a group of 15 fellow writers showed me how readers perceive my work. I also appreciated studying voice and characters in depth before attempting a full narrative.

4. Writing Young Adult Fiction

Offered By : Michigan State University via Coursera Duration : 5 weeks at 3 hours per week

Specifically developed for aspiring authors of young adult novels, this hands-on course expertly breaks down believable teen fiction. You‘ll learn how to craft coming-of-age stories, voice relatable protagonists, develop supporting characters, incorporate relevant themes, and structure compelling arcs.

• Understanding the YA genre and audience
• Building complex teen characters
• Addressing adolescent realities
• Pacing/tension in YA storytelling
• Revising with young readers in mind

My Take : If you‘re considering YA seriously, this course delivers. The weekly peer workshops and editing practice using instructor John Smolens‘ feedback honed my POV shifts and dialogue enormously. My only nitpick is that lessons sometimes felt rushed packing so much quality content into five weeks.

5. Write Your First Screenplay

Offered By : University of East Anglia via FutureLearn Duration : 3 weeks at 1-3 hours per week

Film and television screenwriting requires mastery of key dramatic elements like conflict, act structure, scenes, and dialogue. This introductory course outlines the skills needed to develop and script stories for the screen. Weekly modules walk you through conceptualizing ideas, plotting major events, writing effective sequences, sculpting characters, and polishing scenes.

• Powerful drama dynamics
• Conceptualizing cinematic stories
• Script formatting basics
• Three act plot architecture
• Snappy, compelling dialogue
• Layered, interesting characters

My Take : This course surveys screenwriting at a brisk pace. The assignments and peer discussions reignited my stalled attempt at drafting a pilot. My advice is to give yourself extra time for readings, video lectures, revisions, and workshopping each week.

6. Write Like Mozart: Classical Music Composition

Offered By : National University of Singapore via Coursera Duration : 4 weeks at 4 hours per week

While notation software has enabled more composing access than ever, writing captivating classical pieces requires creativity per greats like Mozart. This course reveals the foundational principles behind enduring melodies, harmonies, and structures. You‘ll gain universal skills applicable to all styles—from pop songs to film scores.

• Rhythm, melody, harmony and form
• Music notation basics
• Analyzing classical masterpieces
• Writing simple piano pieces
• Expanding your melodic/harmonic palette

My Take : As an instrumentalist with zero composition background, this course unlocked a whole new creative realm for me. Analyzing the theoretical nuances behind my favorite piano and orchestral selections was hugely inspiring. The only downside was that 4 weeks flew by—I could have spent all year studying classical architecture.

7. The Craft of Poetic Form

Offered By : California Institute of the Arts via Kadenze Duration : 7 weeks at 2-4 hours per week

Many budding poets feel restricted by fixed structures and meters. But form can spur creativity while connecting you to literary heritage. This course examines styles like sonnets, villanelles, and pantoums to ignite your writing. Through poem analysis and virtual workshops, you’ll gain skills to wrangle life’s chaos into poetic order.

• Rhythm and meter
• Sonnets and villanelles
• Pantoums and nonce structures
• Language precision

My Take : As a longtime journal-writer intimidated by formal poetry, this course opened my eyes to a new mode of expression. Learning the history and structural nuances behind different closed forms has already improved my free verse through better rhythm and concision. My workshop poem even won an editor‘s prize contest!

8. Dynamic Dialogue for Screenwriters

Offered By : Emerson College via edX Duration : 8 weeks at 2-4 hours per week

Sizzling dialogue elevates good scripts into great films. Using vivid movie clips, this course unpacks how masters like Tarantino, Sorkin and Kaufman write lively exchanges that drive plot and reveal character. You‘ll study and practice techniques for developing authentic voices for all characters through dialogue.

• Formatting dialogue correctly
• Making dialogue flow naturally
• Crafting unique character voices
• Maximizing subtext
• Impactful pacing

My Take : I‘m 200 pages into my first TV pilot attempt, and this class showed me how much I still need to evolve dialogue-wise. Watching legend Walter Hill break down the verbal choreography behind his shootout sequences was hugely illuminating regarding pacing, power dynamics and more. My advice: take pages of notes!

9. Overcoming Fear of Failure for Writers

Offered By : Northwestern University via Coursera Duration : 4 weeks at 2-5 hours per week

Even talented scribes wrestle with self-doubt. This supportive course offers psychology-backed techniques to help writers defeat creative paralysis for good. You’ll identify critic myths, reframe perfectionism through journaling, and build resilience through small milestones.

• Silencing your inner critic
• Reframing failure as growth
• Fostering resilience through small wins
• Organizing writing goals using SMART criteria
• Meeting deadlines consistently

My Take : This encouraging class provided a game-changing mental reset regarding my writing hang-ups. The SMART goal setting framework enabled me to finally start the graphic novel script I‘ve been procrastinating on for years. Bonus: lessons incorporate research-backed strategies for sustaining motivation.

10. Scriptwriting: Write a TV Pilot

Offered By : UC Irvine via Coursera Duration : 5 weeks at 1-2 hours per week

Aspiring television scribes: this course guides you to conceive and write a complete 30-page pilot episode for an original series. Using lively video lessons, you’ll learn how to design memorable characters, snappy dialogue, compelling conflicts, cliffhangers, and episode structure.

• Developing original show concepts
• TV formatting rules
• Character relationships
• Scene-by-scene plotting
• Cliffhangers and mid-point breaks
• Polishing action and dialogue

My Take : Of the dozen plus television writing classes I‘ve taken online, this course stands above the rest. Combining lectures, writing exercises, and peer feedback workshops motivated me to deliver the most polished pilot draft yet on my sci-fi comedy concept. My completed script even earned me a meeting with a producer!

11. Write and Publish Poetry

Offered By : Wesleyan University via Coursera Duration : 4 weeks at 3-5 hours per week

Many aspiring poets get lost between initial inspiration and seeing their name in print. Guided by award-winning Wesleyan Press authors, this workshop provides a clear roadmap for taking verse from draft to published poem. You‘ll analyze top literary journals, select targeted submission outlets, craft compelling cover letters, and promote published pieces.

Key topics:

• Researching literary journals
• Writing killer cover letters
• Developing an online platform
• Handling rejection and feedback
• Promoting published poems

My Take : I landed my first litmag publication thanks to this course de-mystifying peer journal culture and process. Wesleyan also connects students directly with editors seeking work, which led me to coordinate a virtual magazine feature on my experimental Instagram poets collective.

12. Memoir Writing for Beginners

Offered By : Brown University via edX Duration : 7 weeks at 2-4 hours per week

Memoirs distill pivotal life stories into personal yet universal literature. This course helps novices recount their journeys with humor, resilience and redemption. Through supported recollections centered around a focused event, receive guidance on braiding narrative threads into one cohesive, cathartic whole.

• Identifying your seminal experience
• Conducting background research
• Mapping memories into chapters
• Tempering painful subjects with levity
• Submitting polished manuscripts

My Take : As a lifelong journaler finally attempting a memoir at age 65, this class taught me to curate ideas thematically. I assumed my project would center around career. But the writing prompts helped me realize my trailblazing experience integrating Southern schools at age 15 actually marks my origin story.

So which course speaks to your creative spirit? The options span dramatic writing, verse, lyrics, and more from major universities. With guidance from award-winning instructors and supportive fellow learners, these classes can launch the next chapter of your artistic journey.

• bigdata , database , programming , Server

Read More Topics

The world of free online education: a guide to the top platforms and courses, the complete guide to free online courses with certificates, 15 best free office software in 2023 (libreoffice, wps & more) – an insider‘s guide, the complete guide to free ocr software in 2023, software reviews.

• Alternative to Calendly
• Mojoauth Review
• Tinyemail Review
• Radaar.io Review
• Clickreach Review
• Digital Ocean @$200 Credit
• NordVPN @69%OFF
• Bright Data @Free 7 Days
• SOAX Proxy @$1.99 Trial
• ScraperAPI @Get Data for AI
• Expert Beacon
• Security Software
• Marketing Guides
• Cherry Picks
• History Tools

Lifetime Deals are a Great Way to Save money. Read Lifetime Deals Reviews, thoughts, Pros and Cons, and many more. Read Reviews of Lifetime Deals, Software, Hosting, and Tech products.

Contact：hello@ gurusoftware.com

Affiliate Disclosure:   Some of the links to products on Getorskip.com are affiliate links. It simply means that at no additional cost, we’ll earn a commission if you buy any product through our link.

© 2020 – 2024 Guru Software