Whether you’re writing content for a website or you are just composing a proposal for a client, good writing is essential. Maybe you missed a few lessons in school or you want a refresher. Either way, these online writing classes can help you craft your words for maximum impact. I’ve scoured through a bunch of online writing course materials to bring you those I think will be most valuable for freelancers. Best of all, these are absolutely free online writing courses.
English Grammar in Context. The Open University in the UK has a huge assortment of writing classes. English Grammar in Context is one of them, and it offers a great overview of grammar basics and the importance of good grammar. Because grammar is such an important aspect of writing, you can start with this if you want to touch up on your grammar know-how.
Intro to Tech Communication. Whether you are drafting a proposal or another technical report, this course taught by MIT instructor Kimberly De Vries includes a great background on technical communications. And you don’t have to be a tech writer to benefit. While it’s geared for scientific writers and researchers, anyone can find this course useful.
Communicating in Cyberspace. I know many freelancers work online, so I had to mention MIT’s course as well. You won’t just learn about the art of writing here. Concepts of design, information architecture, communication, and community are also covered.
Cleaning Your Copy: Grammar, Style and More. Everyone has to edit their work, so this will likely be a useful course for many freelancers–especially those that don’t write. It will help anyone develop a sharper editorial eye and remain aware of common flaws that can ruin an entire project.
HTML Basics. Because non-writers need to know about writing, writers also need to know about things other than the craft of writing. That’s why I liked the idea behind University of Washington’s HTML course. If you are doing any writing on the Web, knowing more about basic HTML is a great skill to acquire.
Any of these courses would be ideal for just about every freelancer to take. So if you’re looking to expand your skill set and don’t want to spend a ton of money, consider perusing online resources to find out more about the many free online classes out there.
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