Writing   

This course provides students with the hands-on experience and knowledge they need to successfully begin writing grant proposals, including real-world scenarios, and the opportunity to improve their work by reviewing previous grant proposals completed by peers.

A to Z Grant Writing will take you through the process of finding and writing a grant application. Using a Theory of Change process to engage stakeholders in framing a grant application, you will prepare a draft of a grant application of your choice step-by-step. In doing so, you will learn what grant funders look for in an application by reviewing pieces of your peers' grant proposals to provide and receive feedback. Additional features include six teachable moments videos and six choose your own adventure branching scenarios.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word or equivalent word processor (not included in enrollment).
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

This informative course will enable you to learn best practices for finding and writing a grant application. Complete with peer review, the planning process, and writing your grant proposal, you will be able to guide your organization or client from a state of need to funding outcomes and evaluation.

Grant Writer Roles

This first lesson will explore the roles of a grant writer. You will learn about the grant writing profession, what a grant writer does, and, most importantly, the work ethics of a grant writer. As an employee or consultant, realizing just how much a grant writer is expected to do will help you understand the grant profession and the multiple job titles of people who are assigned to write grant requests. By the end of the lesson, you will have had an extensive overview of the field of grant writing and the expected ethics of a grant writer.

Grant Funding Research

What are the best websites for researching grant funding opportunities? So many are rip-off websites, how will you determine what is real and what is fake? In this lesson, you learn how to use different kinds of trusted online grant-research databases to locate funding opportunities for your organization and its projects. By the end of the lesson, you will have developed expert skills in entering on-target keyword search terms for finetuning your grant funding research.

Grant Writing Planning Process

If you know that your nonprofit or NGO needs additional funding, why do you need to understand the grant planning process? In this lesson, you'll learn how to expedite and navigate the grant planning process by using a Theory of Change Grant Project Planning Worksheet. Why can't you just get started by writing your grant proposal? This lesson will also provide rational justification on why the planning process for projects in need of grant funding is a critical step that cannot be bypassed. This pre-writing planning process also enables the grant writer to gather valuable ideas from the project's stakeholders. By the end of the lesson, you'll be eager to explore more information about conducting a Theory of Change Grant Project planning meeting.

Introduction to Peer Review and Constructive Feedback

What is peer review and why is it needed? Why do grant writers need a peer to review their work before hitting the submit button? How important is peer review? In this lesson, you'll learn the importance of providing and receiving feedback from peers. You'll also learn about the fundamentals of the peer- review process in the grant-writing industry. By the end of this lesson, you'll be better able to understand the benefits of peer review by experiencing it firsthand during this course's peer-to-peer review process.

Executive Summary

How can you summarize any topic before you write the finite details about it? How does the executive summary fit into the Theory of Change Grant Project planning process? In this lesson, you'll learn the purpose of an executive summary in the Theory of Change Grant Project planning process. You'll also learn how to outline the information needed for the executive summary. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to extract information for an executive summary during a Theory of Change Grant Project planning process.

Statement of Need for Funding

Why do you have to prove that you need funding? Can't a potential funder just look at your financial statements and tell that your organization is operating on a shoestring? In this lesson, you'll learn that potential funders require extensive information about your target population, the people or animals or other types of projects in need of funding. You'll also see that funders require validated information to justify a grant request. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to quickly drill down the research and statistics needed to present your statement-of-need narrative for potential funding sources.

Benefit to the Target Population

How will grant funding change the dire circumstances for your target population? How will you explain the return on a funder's investment in quantitative terms to show how grant funding will impact your grant project's outcomes? In this lesson, you'll learn how grant-funded projects can initiate change. You will also learn how to delineate the benefits for your target population when the change unfolds within their circumstances. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to articulate return-on-investment outputs for funders.

Project Goals and Measurable Objectives

When you try to write your goals, are you often confused as to how our daily to-do's (aka goals to complete) differ from the goals for a grant project? In this lesson, you will learn about the types of goals for a grant project. You will also learn the correct way to write non-measurable and measurable project goals to include in your final grant application. Using the Theory of Change Grant Project Planning Worksheet, you'll learn how to create project goals for funding requests. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to create measurable project objectives for each goal.

Evidence-Based Solutions to Address the Need

Did you know that your solutions to solve the target population's needs must be evidence based? Did you know that potential funders rely on accurate, well-researched best-practice models to form the framework for all of the activities that you plan to carry out when your grant project is funded? In this lesson, you'll learn how to research evidence-based solutions and why potential funders require them. You'll also learn how to use the Internet to identify best-practice models in your project's subject area. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to create activities and timelines for your grant-funded project's implementation plan.

Resources

How do you think a potential funder views your grant request when you have nothing to leverage against the grant project's budget request? In this lesson, you will learn how to identify the internal resources available for grant projects. You'll also learn how to identify the external resources for your grant project. By the end of this lesson, with the help of your stakeholders, you'll be able to create a comprehensive list of internal and external resources during a Theory of Change Grant Project planning meeting.

Funding Outcomes and Evaluation

Why does every funder's guidelines for submitting a grant request include a section on your funding outcomes and how you will evaluate the grant-funded project? How can you predict outcomes before the funding is awarded? In this lesson, you'll learn how to fully describe the outcomes for your grant project during the Theory of Change Grant Project planning process. You'll also learn how your project's stakeholders can help you outline the changes that will happen for the target population as a direct effect of the project's funding. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to create an evaluation plan that describes your grant-funded project's projected success.

Developing a Project Budget

Do you get nervous when you have to guess how much funding is needed to support the implementation of a grant project? Is juggling numbers your least favorite task? In this lesson, you'll learn how to outline your project's budget expenses by using every narrative section that you've already written in your Theory of Change Grant Project Planning Worksheet. You'll also learn how to justify each line-item expense for your grant project. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to quickly identify the difference between soft and hard cash leveraging funds and to develop a comprehensive grant project budget summary and a detailed narrative document.

Sharpen your grant research skills, write the most important sections of grant applications, and learn the types of grants available.

Are you ready to continue your journey into the world of grants? You will learn how to create a fundraising plan for all types of grantmakers. In addition, you will explore websites for finding and reviewing corporate, foundation, and government grant funding opportunities and grant application guidelines.

You will go through every aspect of strategic funding research, preparing a fundraising plan, writing an award-winning plan of operation, and creating a project budget without red flags. Then you will journey into the world of grants available for your projects. The excitement will build when you discover just how many funding opportunities are available.

You will see grants for arts and humanities, education, medical, science and agriculture, human services, and corporate foundation grants. You will also explore new grant-writing trends and what to do when you're notified of a grant award or a grant rejection. Don't worry, there's a plan to implement for future grant seeking success if you don't get your project funded.

By the end of the course, you will be prepared to continue tracking future grant-writing and funding trends, bounce back successfully from rejection notices, and manage all of your grant awards proficiently. In addition, you will gain confidence in all areas of grant seeking, grant writing, and grants management (post-award reporting requirements).

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Sharpen your grant research skills, write the most important sections of grant applications, and learn the types of grants available.

The Fundraising Plan

This first lesson will explore the fundraising plan. You will learn the plan's purpose and how to format a working document, and you will learn how to determine how much grant money you need and by what date. You will also look at possible types of funders from the private sector (corporate and foundation grantmakers) to the public sector (government agency grantmakers). In addition, you will learn a few basics about corporate sponsorships, and you will find out about matching funds and how to identify cash and in-kind matching funds. By the end of this lesson, you will have a good overview of how to identify your grant-funding needs, agencies you might consider targeting for your projects, and how to put in place a proper fundraising plan.

Before You Begin Writing

How do government funding agencies eliminate so many hopeful grant applicants? This lesson will walk you through finding government grant funding opportunities, reading grant application guidelines that are complex and often confusing, and learning how to find and engage the best types of community partners as committed stakeholders in your proposed project.

Strategic Grant Writing

Did you know that the most strategic grant writing is in the plan of operation? The plan of operation includes goals and objectives, implementation strategies, a logic model, a plan for key personnel or a management plan, an evaluation plan, and a project sustainability plan. Get ready! In this lesson, you will find out how to develop an award-winning plan of operation with all of the required components.

Budgeting 101

Are you always in doubt when you have to develop a project budget for your grant application? What do funders really want to see in your budget summary and narrative? How do you plot key personnel salaries and benefits? Where do general operating expenses go? What are the common mistakes that you should avoid? This budgeting 101 lesson will answer all the above questions and more!

Arts and Humanities Grants

How do you find grant-funding opportunities for arts and humanities projects? In this lesson, you learn about some opportunities and challenges associated with grant funding in these areas, and you will also learn best practices in approaching community and regional arts organizations for potential partnership opportunities as well as corporate sponsorship opportunities. Finally, you will discover some excellent resources to guide you through the arts and humanities funding tunnel.

Education Grants

How do you find grant-funding opportunities for education projects? Are you familiar with Pre-K-12 and higher education grantmakers? Are you experiencing challenges in writing these types of grant applications? What are the challenges and who are the funders for these types of projects? This lesson will answer these questions and provide you with resources to guide you through the world of education grants.

Medical, Science, and Agriculture Grants

How do you find grant-funding opportunities for medical, science, and agriculture projects? Are you familiar with the grantmakers in these three grant funding areas? Are you experiencing challenges in writing these types of grant applications? What are the challenges and who are the funders for these types of projects? In this lesson, you will find answers to these questions as well as some resources to guide you through the world of medical, science, and agriculture grants!

Human Services Grants

How do you find grant-funding opportunities for human services projects? Are you familiar with the grantmakers in this area of funding? Are you experiencing challenges in writing these types of grant applications? What are the opportunities and challenges when searching for and writing human services grants? In this lesson, you will explore the answers to these questions and get some resources to guide you through the world of human service grants.

Corporate Foundation Grants

Do you know the ins and outs of foundation grants? What are the pros and cons of applying to corporate foundations? How can you overcome the challenges of finding potential funders and writing letters of inquiry and grant proposals to corporate foundations? Do you know what these foundations fund? If you don't know the answers to these questions yet, you will soon enough. This lesson will cover everything you need to know about applying for corporate foundation grants.

New Grantmaking Trends

This lesson is all about grantmaking trends. Are you aware of the latest funding trends in government or corporate foundations? Are you monitoring future trends, so you will understand what projects are most likely to be funded by grantmakers? This lesson will look at the fastest-growing industries impacting the world of nonprofits and government agencies and will discuss online applications and why so many funders have changed their processes and moved to online e-grant application systems.

I Didn't Get That Grant—Now What?

What do you do when you receive notification that you didn't get the grant? It's not the desired outcome, but it's important to be prepared to do a post-assessment and debrief your partners. In this lesson, you will find out how to assess your application and gather crucial information so that you can have a better chance of success the next time, and you will review best practices in debriefing partnering organizations. The lesson will walk you through the road to funding recovery, including practical planning for reapplication and funding down the slate.

I Got That Grant—Now What?

Your hard work paid off! You've received notification of a forthcoming grant award. Are you excited and overwhelmed? Are you stressing about the paperwork, reporting deadlines, and how to set up separate audit trails for incoming grant funds? This lesson will take a close look at contracts, timelines, and accounting requirements. Then, you will learn how to avoid red flags and how to collect data and report to funding agencies. Finally, you will get some tips on communicating with your federal project officer.

Gain a full understanding of the criteria funders use to determine whether your grant proposal gets funded or rejected.

In this course, an experienced grant writer will show you how to research and write winning proposals that get funded. You will become proficient in the proposal format used by the vast majority of public foundations. Learn what to do and what not to do on your cover sheet, narrative, background page, and your stakeholder and third-party evaluation plan. Discover the quickest and most efficient ways to gather the information you will need to develop your proposal's attachments, including information on your organization's structure, administration, and finances. Gain a full understanding of the criteria funders use to determine whether your grant proposal gets funded or rejected.

Before this course is over, you will have discovered several significant finishing touches that can give your project the edge over others. You will learn about the importance of obtaining community and political support before submitting a proposal to any government agency.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Gain a full understanding of the criteria funders use to determine whether your grant proposal gets funded or rejected.

1. Types of Proposal Formats
2. Match Funders With Projects
3. Write the History and Major Accomplishments Sections
4. Write the Current Programs and Activities Section
5. Write the Target Population Served Section
6. Write the Partnerships Section
7. Write the Needs Statement Section
8. Write the Program Design Section
9. Write the Management Plan Section
10. Write the Evaluation Section
11. Develop the Budget Section
12. Apply Finishing Touches and Conduct Follow-up Tasks

Increase your income while working from home by starting a grant writing consulting business.

Good grant writing consultants are always in demand. Learn how you can use a basic knowledge of grant or proposal writing to become an expert in the red-hot grant consulting field.

The course will provide you with easy-to-follow instructions that you can use to start your own home-based business. You'll learn what services to offer, how to find clients, and how to set your fees. This is one field where your creative writing skills can literally touch thousands of people and make a true difference in their quality of life.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Learn from a national grant consulting veteran how you can use a basic knowledge of grant and proposal writing to become an expert grant consultant. This course will provide easy-to-follow instructions on starting your own grant consulting business and reaching thousands of people with your work.

What Does a Grant Consultant Do?

In this lesson, you'll learn about the credentials and skills needed to become a successful grant writing consultant. You'll also learn how to use your grant writing skills in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors to generate cash flow for your new business. Step-by-step, this first lesson teaches you what business structures and services to consider as you develop your grant writing consulting business.

Finding the Resources You Need to Succeed

This lesson will talk about how to choose the office resources you need to succeed as a grant writing consultant. You'll learn how to find training to sharpen your skills and explore top reference materials used by leading grant writing consultants. You'll also learn how to keep your new business afloat by carefully allocating your funds for the right tools of the trade.

Setting up an Efficient Home Office

In this lesson, you'll learn how to set up an efficient work area and plan your first day as a paid grant writing consultant. You'll also learn how to turn a living or storage area of your home into productive workspace. It's important to have an organized area where you can manage your revenue-producing projects from start to finish, and this lesson will show you how to get it set up.

Linking Your Experience With Grant Writing Projects

In this lesson, you'll begin to assess your grant writing experience, knowledge, and skills. You'll learn how to use your job experience to target clients and how to expand your services beyond writing proposals. This lesson is about linking your experience with paying projects-making money for what you love to do, day after day.

Setting up Client Fees

This is perhaps the most important lesson. You are well on your way to becoming a successful grant writing consultant-managing your own business. This lesson will teach you how to set marketable fees for each of the services you offer so you'll make money as a grant writing consultant-regardless of where you live or the state of the economy. You'll learn how to set your fees based on your costs, expertise, and project type and learn when to adjust your fees so you still make a profit. Most importantly, you'll see where to draw the line and just say no to a prospective client.

Marketing Your Consulting Services

In this lesson, you'll learn how to market and promote your grant writing consulting business. You'll also learn how to take some critical pre-marketing steps, including writing a marketing plan.

Developing Consulting Opportunities

This lesson will teach you how to search for and develop consulting opportunities. You'll learn how to use the Internet and newspapers to find new clients, and how to present your services so effectively that clients will hire you sight unseen.

Writing Contractual Agreements

In this lesson, you'll learn how to write contractual agreements. You'll review basic contract language and the different types of contractual agreements to help you understand the purpose and limitations of a written contract. Most importantly, you'll learn how to create a contract template so you can quickly draft a contractual services agreement ready for signatories.

Projects That Bring in Quick Money

This lesson will show you how to make cash start flowing into your new business within the first 90 days. It'll talk about how to differentiate between piece of cake projects and "like pulling teeth" projects. You'll learn which types of projects bring in quick money and how to discern between projects that are best for novices to take on at business start-up and those best handled by veteran grant writers.

Building an Expert Reputation

In this lesson, you'll learn how to build a reputation as an expert grant writing consultant. You'll explore Internet resources that will help you keep abreast of emerging trends. Most importantly, you'll learn how to implement a three-step plan that will help you to (1) expand your knowledge, (2) exceed your clients' expectations, and (3) make your skills and services visible.

Managing Multiple Projects

At this point, you are nearing the finish line for Becoming a Grant Writing Consultant. In this lesson, you'll learn how to manage more than one project at a time so you can become more profitable. This lesson covers it all: How to ask yourself the right questions to accurately calculate project timeframes; how to organize and prioritize your projects; even how to develop work habits that will help you meet deadlines when you're working on multiple projects.

How and When to Expand Your Business

This last lesson will teach you how to recognize the signs of business growth and the steps to take before planning for business expansion. You'll learn some strategic planning steps that will help you stay on top of small business trends, as well as stay on top of your competitors.

What you will learn

• Understand how to start your own home-based business
• Learn what services to offer and how to set your fees
• Discover how to find clients

How you will benefit

• Gain the skills you need to become an effective grant writing consultant who knows what services to provide and how to find clients
• Open the door to new opportunities as a self-employed grant writing consultant

Published writer shows you how to give yourself the credibility you need to get your books and articles published.

Do you know the five most common reasons why manuscripts are instantly rejected? If your goal is to become a published freelance writer of fiction or nonfiction for books or magazines, this comprehensive course will help you guide your work directly into the hands of an editor and onto the shelves of your favorite stores.

Your success in the writing game will be determined by the amount of credibility publishers attach to you and your work. This course will teach you how to give yourself the kind of credibility you need to succeed. This course will provide you with instant access to critical information most other writers don't discover for years and will walk you through every step of the publishing process. If you really want to be a writer, this course will give you all the tools you need to get published.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Get your writing directly into the hands of an editor and on the shelves of your favorite stores. This course, taught by a successful journalist and author, will help you understand every step of the publishing process and how to give yourself the credibility publishers notice.

Becoming a Published Writer

As an unpublished writer, what you don't know could hold you back. What you learn here in this first lesson will help you understand what to look for and what to avoid in the publishing industry, as well as how to reach your publishing goals. By learning how to get published quickly and often, you should be well on your way to a lifetime of publishing success!

Breaking in and First Markets

In this lesson, you'll learn why it's difficult to break in to the world of publishing, why publishers prefer to work with published writers, and why editors can be as choosy as they want to be. It'll also teach you about five of the easiest publishing markets.

Writing Contests and Credibility

In this lesson, you'll learn how to use writing contests to gain publishing credibility. It'll provide you with examples to steer you away from contest scams, and show you how to find legitimate writing contests. Then it'll discuss how to retain some rights to your work and resell your contest submissions.

Manuscript Mechanics and Formats

In this lesson, you'll learn how to format a manuscript for submission to a publisher. You'll find out how to narrow down your chances of rejection by making sure you follow all the submission guidelines. You'll learn all the basic manuscript mechanics, from paper to font choices. Then you'll go over all the formatting rules, including the importance of saving your work.

Proofreading, Printing, and Submission Logs

In this lesson, you'll learn the final steps to prepare your manuscript for submission. If publishers perceive you as careless or sloppy in any way, they may reject your manuscript without ever reading it. Publishers don't need to waste their time with writers who submit unpolished material. You'll also learn how to create a submission log to track your manuscripts for future reference.

Copyright, Rights, and Pseudonyms

This is perhaps the most important lesson of all. Before submitting your work to a publisher, make sure you take the necessary steps to protect your work against copyright infringement. That means ensuring your work has copyright protection, as well as maintaining rights to sell the work again and again if desired. This lesson will tell you everything you need to know about that. You'll also learn about using pseudonyms.

Mainstream, Subsidy, and Self-Publishing

Once you've completed your manuscript—that is, finished writing, editing, proofreading, formatting, and printing it—you've reached the halfway point of your publishing process. Finding the right publisher and publishing method for your work can mean the difference between a novel on the best-seller list and a garage full of unsold books. This lesson will teach you how to do that and also go over the pros and cons of subsidy publishing and self-publishing.

All About Query Letters

A query letter is a very important part of the submission process. In this lesson, you'll learn what a query letter is and why it's important to your submission. You'll see how to format a query letter, including what information you should include and what you should leave out. You'll also learn when and how to submit your queries to a publisher.

Submissions, Offers, and Rejections

Your manuscript must be packaged and delivered to a publisher in a professional manner. In this lesson, you'll learn how to mail your manuscript, including how to submit photos and illustrations with your submission. You'll also learn what a simultaneous submission is and when you can use this method of submission. This lesson will also show you how to evaluate the offers and rejections you receive from publishers following your submissions.

All About Agents and Contracts

You'll learn all about literary agents in this lesson. An agent isn't a necessity for most submissions, but one is recommended for certain publisher contract negotiations. You'll learn when, where, and why to get an agent to represent you. You'll discover why finding a reputable agent is just as important as finding a reputable publisher. You'll also explore agent contracts, fees, and publisher contract terms.

Clubs, Conferences, and Writer's Block

In your writing and publishing efforts, it's important to remember that you aren't alone in this venture. There are millions of other writers out there who can offer you information, inspiration, and encouragement when you need it. In this lesson, you'll learn how to connect with other writers. You'll also learn what to do when you're face to face with that dreaded writer's block. If you can't think of anything to write, how will you ever get published?

The Future of Publishing

In the last lesson, you'll learn that there are certain publishing taboos that you should avoid. Neither talent nor determination will help you if you fail to follow simple publisher guidelines. You'll also learn how to format the items that publishers request following acceptance of your manuscript. In addition, you'll learn about the future of publishing.

Write great marketing copy to improve your company's image and your chances of getting hired or promoted.

Are you a writer working in the business world? Or a marketing professional responsible for obtaining great marketing copy? Maybe you're just interested in a writing or marketing career. Whatever your background, this fun, introductory course will teach you to write or identify copy that achieves business and marketing goals. Improve your work, your knowledge, your company's image, and your chances of getting hired, promoted or applauded!

Using clear explanations, real-life examples, and an animated style, the course solidifies the relationship between business, marketing principles, and written communications. You will learn how business and marketing objectives affect writing choices. You'll get practical writing instruction in grammar, clarity, structure and more. You'll understand issues unique to this discipline, such as buzzwords, working with a team, and marketing ethics. This course will help you understand the power of writing - and use it to present a solid, cohesive message to your target audience.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Write great marketing copy to improve your company's image and your chances of getting hired or promoted.

1. The Role of Business and Marketing Writing
2. The Ins and Outs of Image
3. Writing Approaches and Strategies
4. Media
5. Putting It All Together: Writing Project
6. Complete and Incomplete Sentences
7. Word Choices
8. Internal Communication
9. Banishing the Bureaucracy
10. Editing, Proofreading and Evaluating
11. Putting It All Together: Editing Project
12. Marketing Ethics

The Certified Persuasive Copywriter course covers vital topics needed to master the fundamentals of crafting copy that excites, intrigues, and persuades audiences to take action. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of persuasive copywriting and qualify for a successful career as a professional copywriter.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Certified Persuasive Copywriter is an in-depth certification course that provides professionals, creatives, consultants, entrepreneurs, and business owners with the comprehensive training needed to excite, engage, and motivate audiences to take action.

When you enroll in the Certified Persuasive Copywriter course, you will learn more than how to become a copywriter—you will obtain timeless copywriting secrets and discover how to apply copywriting strategies that convert into clients, sales, and new opportunities. You will also master the art of crafting better-performing ads, social media posts, emails, landing pages, and other types of results-driving content.

Whether you are looking to enhance your copywriting skills to gain a competitive edge as a student, advance your career or expand your empire—we have you covered! The Certified Persuasive Copywriter course separates itself from other copywriting courses by equipping you with the knowledge to succeed and achieve your goals.

Upon successfully completing the final exam, you will earn the Persuasive Copywriting Certification offered by Lovegevity.

1. Copywriting Fundamentals
   1. What is Copywriting
   2. 3 Keys to Good Copy
   3. Defining Your Audience
   4. Copywriting Formulas
   5. Copywriting Frameworks
   6. Capstone Project
2. First Impression Copy
   1. 3 Facets of Copywriting
   2. What is First Impression Copy?
   3. Grab Attention
   4. Target the Right Audience
   5. Deliver a Clear + Complete Message
   6. Lure Readers Into the Body Copy
   7. Capstone Project
3. Writing to Communicate
   1. Writing to Communicate
   2. Keep It Simple
   3. 10 Ways to Write Clear Copy
   4. Capstone Project
4. Writing to Sell
   1. Writing to Sell
   2. Three Rules of Selling
   3. A Good Copywriter
   4. Connecting With Your Prospect
   5. Conducting Research
   6. Features and Benefits
   7. Assembling Your Copy
   8. Using the AIDA Formula
   9. Piercing Hearts
   10. Capstone Project
5. Preparing to Write
   1. Preparing to Write
   2. Review Information Provided by the Client
   3. Conduct Offline Research
   4. Conduct Online Research
   5. Citing Sources
   6. Organizing the Facts
   7. Capstone Project
6. The Writing Process
   1. The Writing Process
   2. Writing Your Headline
   3. Writing Your Subheadings
   4. Writing Your Body Copy
   5. Writing Your Call to Action
   6. Editing
   7. W.E.R.K. Your Words
   8. Capstone Project
7. Effective Copywriting
   1. Effective Copywriting
   2. Relatable Copy
   3. Digestible, Scannable Copy
   4. Emotion-Inducing Copy
   5. Dramatizing the Message
   6. Capstone Project
8. Storytelling
   1. Storytelling
   2. Story Arcs
   3. Attributes of a Good Sales Story
   4. Capstone Project
9. Persuading the Prospect
   1. Persuading the Prospect
   2. Selling the Transformation
   3. Writing for Brands
   4. Promotions That Persuade
   5. Capstone Project
10. Copywriting Framework Recap
1. Copywriting Framework Recap
2. Landing Page Framework
3. Sales Email Framework
4. Product Description Framework
5. Promotional Video Framework
6. Social Media Post Framework
7. Capstone Project

What you will learn

• A system for crafting persuasive content in 85% less time
• Classic copywriting techniques for print and online audiences
• Winning templates for creating compelling sales messages for every industry and business type
• Closely guarded templates, tips, and tactics used by the World's top copywriters
• Certification in Persuasive Copywriting

How you will benefit

• Effectively use proven writing frameworks to develop compelling stories and write persuasive copy faster than ever before
• Follow copywriting systems to significantly decrease the time you spend writing
• Use storytelling techniques to increase engagement and persuade readers to take action
• Communicate goals, thoughts, and perspectives more clearly and effectively
• Make the best word choices to get your point across
• Easily adapt writing tones, voices, and styles to fit different target audiences
• Identify and avoid common copywriting and grammatical errors
• Certification and designation as a Professional Persuasive Copywriter

Apryl Beverly

Apryl Beverly is the founder of Word Stylistz®, the world's first online woman-owned, flat-rate sales writing agency. Since launching her writing and marketing firm in 2011, she and her team have crafted compelling copy for small business owners and global brands. Her clients have generated more than $100 million in revenue from the content her agency has produced. She's also the author of two books and is frequently called on to facilitate training events on vital copywriting and marketing communications principles. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University in Journalism and the University of Phoenix with a Master of Business Administration in Marketing.

Take your first step toward a lucrative and rewarding career as a medical writer.

Take your first step toward a lucrative and rewarding career as a medical writer; no specialized or advanced degrees required! In this course, you'll learn about the different types of medical writing that you can do, how to break into and succeed in this industry, and how to write effectively on medical topics, whether you're writing for healthcare providers, patients, or regulatory organizations like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You will examine the various types of writing that you can do, from producing technical pieces like abstracts and regulatory documentation to writing breezier items like medical news stories and patient education materials. You will gain insights about what goes into putting together a solid and compelling article, regardless of what you're writing about or who you're writing for. You will review how to consider your audience and construct an outline that addresses your audience's informational needs. You'll also learn how to keep your writing free of medical jargon and common grammatical errors, while ensuring the scientific integrity of your work.

Throughout these lessons, you will discover invaluable tools and technologies that can make your life as a medical writer easier. You will examine informational resources, productivity tools, marketing resources, devices, and software, and review how to use them optimally to achieve your goals. You will also discover numerous tips and tricks that can help set you apart from others in the field and enable you to keep your career momentum going as well as master key medical and statistical terms. The knowledge you will gain in this course will give you the foundation and confidence you need to work for almost anyone as a medical writer, whether your goal is to find permanent employment with a company or to work as a freelancer from the comfort of your own home.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Take your first step toward a lucrative and rewarding career as a medical writer. This course teaches the different types of medical writing, how to break into and succeed in the industry, and how to write effectively on medical topics.

Becoming a Medical Writer

In the first lesson, you'll learn what medical writing is all about. You'll learn what medical writers do and what it takes to be a medical writer. You'll also examine the many types of writing medical writers produce, as well as the tools of the trade—the equipment that medical writers need to have. By the end of this first lesson, you'll have a solid grasp of the field and the items you should have with you as you begin your medical writing career!

Which Path to Choose: Freelancer or Employee?

In this lesson, you'll examine the two main career paths you can take as a medical writer: freelancer and employee. You'll start by examining general factors that you need to consider. Then, you'll review the benefits and drawbacks of being a freelancer and an employee. After you complete this lesson, you'll have a good understanding of both of these routes, enabling you to determine which one will better serve your needs and objectives.

Laying a Good Foundation for Your Writing

There are a few core things you'll need to get a handle on before you start any medical writing project: knowing your audience, understanding your topic, and creating your outline. You can't expect to succeed without first tackling these elements, so this lesson will go into good detail about that. After you complete the lesson, you'll be equipped to lay a solid foundation for your writing, regardless who you're targeting and what you're writing about.

Grammar Essentials for Medical Writers

The focus of this lesson is on grammar, which is essential for making your writing polished and coherent. You'll start by looking at key sentence-level issues, including sentence structure and use of punctuation. Then you'll move on to building easy-to-follow paragraphs and transitions, as well as a few rules specific to medical writing!

Learning Key Medical and Statistical Terms

In this lesson, you'll focus on the language that you'll often come across in medical literature. You'll start by looking at abbreviations, including when and how to use them. Then you'll look at how to spot medical jargon. Finally, you'll review some key statistical terms so that you can better understand how to process the information you're writing about. After you complete this lesson, you'll have a better understanding of the language that dominates the medical arena and how to use it.

Accessorizing and Polishing Your Work

This lesson will focus on how to add visual elements to your writing and enhance its readability. You'll start by looking at the accessories you can create: figures, tables, and sidebars. You'll review what these accessories are, when to use them, and considerations to keep in mind when creating them. Then you'll turn your attention to proofreading your work, focusing on strategies you can use to catch errors and improve flow. After you complete this lesson, you'll understand how to add the finishing touches to your work that'll really help it shine!

Understanding Key Ethical Principles in Medical Writing

This lesson is all about ethics! It will talk about the ethical issues that surround medical writing and the responsibilities that come with authorship. You'll start by looking at scientific misconduct and how it can affect your writing. Then you'll turn your attention to plagiarism and how to avoid it. Finally, you'll review ghostwriting and other situations that can cause ethical dilemmas, as well as steps you can take to secure the integrity of your work. After you complete this lesson, you'll have a good understanding of the ethical terrain that underlies medical writing.

Medical Writing Markets

In this lesson, you'll examine the markets that need medical writers. You'll start by looking at the pharmaceutical industry, which directly and indirectly employs medical writers. Then, you'll examine medical communications companies, another major employer of medical writers. Finally, you'll review some of the smaller markets, like hospitals, managed care organizations, and professional medical associations. After you complete this lesson, you'll have a good understanding of these markets and where to aim in your job search!

Breaking Into the Medical Writing Freelance Arena

In this lesson, you'll examine the medical writing freelance arena. First, you'll review how you can build a portfolio, which can be an important tool for helping you secure work. Next, you'll examine where to look for freelance work and steps you can take to increase your odds of finding work. Finally, you'll review the business side of being a freelancer, including how to develop a business plan and which business structures you can consider. After you complete this lesson, you'll have a better understanding of the freelance environment and how you can be successful in it.

Finding Permanent Employment as a Medical Writer

How can you find permanent employment as a medical writer? That's what this lesson will discuss. First, you'll review how to put together an effective resume and maximize your job search. Then, you'll examine strategies that can enhance your chances of getting an interview, such as constructing a thoughtful cover letter. And finally, you'll look at some ways to really shine during your interview. By the time you finish this lesson, you'll have the knowledge you need to stand out from the crowd, from resume prescreening through the interview process!

Taking Charge of Your Career

Now it's time to think about how you can advance your medical writing career. You'll review credentials you might pursue to make you more enticing to employers or clients and then look at strategies for building a good reputation. Also, every writer's career reaches a standstill at some point—even if you're not there yet, it'll help to be prepared when that happens. The lesson will conclude by discussing some ways to get your career momentum going when you find you've peaked!

The Future of Medical Writing

How is technology shaping medical writing and the way that people look for and find medical information? That's what this lesson is all about. First, you'll review how writing for the web is different from print and what you need to know to write effectively for online viewing. Then, you'll look at social media and how companies are using it to promote content and brands as well as how you can use these platforms to promote your own work. Finally, you'll examine how technology continues to shape the writing world and explore some technology solutions that can make your life as a medical writer a bit easier!

Learn the skills you need to succeed in the well-paying field of technical writing.

Do you have a knack for explaining complex subjects in a way that makes them easy to understand? If so, you should consider entering the well-paying field of technical writing. This course will teach you the fundamentals techniques that all successful technical writers use. You will learn how to translate complex information into easily understood language, and how to become a wizard at marrying the art of publishing with the science of technology.

You will also learn the secrets of successful technical writers, including technical writing conventions, interviewing skills, desktop publishing and formatting techniques, key tips for developing graphics and templates, documentation management, and how to publish documents both on paper and electronically.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge is also compatible.
• Any type of word processor can be used in the initial manuscript setup, however Word for Windows is used as the example (not included in enrollment).
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Learn the skills you need to succeed in the well-paying field of technical writing.

Technical Writing Overview

Technical writing is a relatively new profession, but people have been writing technical documents for centuries. In our first lesson, you will learn the fascinating history of technical writing and how technical writing employs both the logical and creative sides of your brain.

Preparing to Write

Technical writing requires preparation. In this lesson, you will learn the basics of project management for your documentation project and key questions to help you analyze your reading audience, and how to organize this information.

Gathering Information

In this lesson, you will learn powerful communication skills that will help you get the information you need. You will also learn how to ask questions that help you get the answers you need more efficiently, and how to apply principles of adult learning when you're analyzing the information you've gathered.

Writing Skills

Do you ever get writer's block? Most writers do. In this lesson, you will learn how to shut off your internal editor and give yourself permission to write your first draft more quickly and easily. You will discover tips that can help you keep writing even when you don't have all of the information you need.

Tech Writing Conventions

Every profession has rules and conventions that separate the novices from the pros. In this lesson, you will learn all about time-honored technical writing conventions, such as using parallel structure, an inverted pyramid style of writing, effective headings, and lists.

Graphics

Should you save your graphics as BMPs, GIFs, or JPGs? This lesson goes over the difference between the most popular graphics file formats and guidelines for using each. You will also learn about a new file format called PNG and how to create and manipulate screenshots on your PC.

Document Formatting

Formatting your document can be critical to its success. In this lesson, you will learn how to choose the typeface or typefaces you want to use and principles for using type effectively in your document. You will learn about the things you need to keep in mind when laying out your pages.

Microsoft Word's Paragraph Styles

Microsoft Word has nearly a 93% market share for PC-based word processing. Chances are high that you will use it at some time in your technical writing career. In this lesson, you will learn how Microsoft Word is different from other word-processing applications and how to use, modify, and create in Word.

Document Templates

When companies use Microsoft Word for their documentation, they expect you to know how to use and create Word templates. In this lesson, you will learn how to build templates and other Word skills such as recording macros, customizing your toolbar, and more.

Creating Indexes

Did you know that indexes are the most widely read section in any technical document? In this lesson, you will review indexing conventions and ways to build a great index for your document. You will also learn how to use Microsoft Word to make indexing a bit easier.

Editing and Proofreading

To polish your document and make it the best it can be, you need to proofread it and edit it. In this lesson, you will learn tips from professional proofreaders and editors, as well as ways you can use Microsoft Word to help you check your spelling and grammar.

Publishing Your Document

Publishing your document is an exciting time. All of your hard work is almost done—or is it? Your final lesson explores different printing options and trends in publishing. You will also learn the ways you can use your technical writing skills and a four-step plan for getting your first job.

This course teaches correct grammar usage for health professionals. Learn how to utilize grammar rules and common medical terminology to prepare professional reports or documentation.

Communication skills are crucial in the health care profession. From emails to reporting, correct grammar usage and writing techniques are important aspects of professional success. Whether you're an entry-level health care professional or an industry veteran, this course will help you sharpen or maintain your communication skills.

This course focuses on correct grammar usage within the health care profession. Packed with real life applications, you will review the entire writing process, emphasizing the importance of quality writing. By course completion, you will be able to confidently write medical reports, correspondences, emails, progress notes, charting, research, and other professional documentation one would encounter in the healthcare environment.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge is also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

• The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Learn to confidently write medical reports, correspondence, emails, progress notes, charting, research and other professional documentation one would encounter in the healthcare environment. This course is packed with real-life applications as you review the entire writing process.

1. The Basics of Grammar
   1. Nouns
   2. Pronouns
   3. Verbs
   4. Adjectives
   5. Adverbs
2. Advanced Grammar
   1. Sentences, Clauses, and Phrases
   2. Punctuation
   3. Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Paragraphs
3. Putting It All Together
   1. The Writing Process
   2. Resumes

What you will learn

• Grammar and writing guidelines and practical knowledge in real-world practice
• Advanced grammar concepts such as sentences, clauses, phrases, punctuation, and prepositions
• The thinking process involved in writing and grammar
• The step-by-step writing process for resumes, cover letters, and more

How you will benefit

• Confidently use writing to communicate your thoughts and ideas and perform daily tasks
• Learn to create documents and communications for work that are professional and polished
• Open the door to more career opportunities with well-written, error-free resumes and cover letters

Get the professional development training you need to improve student literacy.

Around 30% of students in sixth grade already have trouble with basic reading and writing. These literacy problems affect performance across subject areas, and they often leave teachers wondering how to help. In this course, you will examine the reasons reading and writing are so difficult for students. Then you will encounter the total literacy framework and see what it does to mitigate literacy problems. Since this framework is based on guided reading lessons that flow naturally into writing challenges, you will learn to successfully transition from guided readings to writing lessons.

Once you have encountered the basic framework, you will investigate a number of ways to modify this basic recipe for a variety of K-12 circumstances, wrapping up with a look at good writing habits and the traits of a productive writing conference. If you're looking for the right way to get students excited about the power of literacy, this is the course for you!

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Get the professional development training you need to improve student literacy.

Why Is It So Hard to Read and Write?

Have you ever wondered why so many of your students struggle to read and write? You're not alone! This introductory lesson will discuss why these two subjects are so hard for students and how you can make their lives a little easier.

The Total Literacy Framework

To really help struggling readers and writers, you need a framework. The total literacy framework is just the thing: Guided reading, writing, engagement, and assessment are the components that make it so effective. This lesson will discuss guided reading, writing, and engagement.

Where Does Assessment Fit In?

Assessment is the part of the total literacy framework that drives instruction. After all, you need to know where students are academically and where they need to go before you can effectively teach them. In this lesson you will look at fun and simple ways to assess students' reading and writing skills.

Recipe for a Guided Reading and Writing Lesson

The recipe you will learn about in this lesson is one that you can easily modify for any K-12 setting, and it's dotted with examples from real classrooms where guided reading and writing are changing lives.

Writing Stories

Have you ever read a great story only to think, "I could write something better than that"? Well, guess what? Your students think the exact same thing. This lesson will teach you the basics of leading a successful story writing activity.

Composing Nonfiction

Nonfiction is often less popular in the classroom. However, with a little imagination, you can make nonfiction come alive for your students. In this lesson, you will learn how you can make nonfiction more appealing to students.

Writing Poetry

Some students absolutely hate reading and writing poetry, but they won't after you introduce the techniques taught in this lesson! Additionally, you will take a tour of the different kinds of poetry that inspire students.

Developing Papers

Writing papers is never going to be the most exciting part of school, but it's always going to be necessary. This lesson will discuss how to teach students to read research material and use it as a launch pad for papers that are clear and thought-provoking the first time around.

Crafting Ideas Across the Content Areas

One of the neat things about employing the total literacy framework is that you can extend it across the content areas. In This lesson, you will learn how to use guided reading and writing to your advantage whether you're teaching math, social studies, or science.

Reinforcing Good Writing Habits

Have you ever written something that was a little hard to understand? This lesson will cover ways to teach students to craft their own style, hone their organization, and check for proper mechanics before they turn in any assignments.

Holding Writing Conferences

Writing conferences are a great chance to make sure students are successful as they turn reading into writing and writing into ideas. This lesson will discuss the power of conferences and how to make the most of them.

Turning Small Successes into Big Rewards

It's important to take time to encourage and inspire students by turning their small successes into big rewards. If you're looking for new strategies to motivate students and make reading and writing fun, you won't want to miss all the tips and tricks in this final lesson!

You really can make money with your writing. Whether you want to create your own business, add to your income, supplement your retirement, or boost what you're earning as a writer, you'll find the how-to's here.

You really can make money with your writing. Whether you want to create your own business, add to your income, supplement your retirement, or boost what you're earning as a writer, you'll find the how-to's here. You'll learn secrets, methods, and tips to help you generate income with your writing. This class includes all the practical information that so rarely gets taught in writing classes.

In most courses and social groups it's taboo to discuss money, but not here. This course embraces it! Making money is the focus of the lessons. You'll explore a dozen genres that can help you establish a sometime, part-time, or full-time career as a writer. Along the way, you'll learn methods to work faster, suffer less rejection, and bring home more bacon. Fulfilling (and lucrative) writing work is waiting for you!

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

You really can make money with your writing. Whether you want to create your own business, add to your income, supplement your retirement, or boost what you're earning as a writer, you'll find the how-to's here.

1. Getting in Gear to Write
2. The Writing Life
3. Self-editing and Researching
4. Writing for Magazines
5. Writing and Selling Other Short Works
6. Writing Novels
7. Writing Nonfiction Books
8. Ghostwriting
9. The Roles of Editors and Agents
10. Self-Publishing and E-Publishing
11. The Business Side of Writing
12. Time Management and Marketing for All Writers

Learn to create your own newsletters, calendars, brochures, greeting cards, and more with Publisher, the desktop publishing app included in the Microsoft 365 suite.

Desktop publishing is not just for design professionals! Microsoft Publisher puts desktop publishing within everyone's reach, with easy-to-use templates and designs that help you create dozens of different publication types, including greeting cards, banners, flyers, and booklets. Best of all, if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription on a Windows PC, Publisher is available at no extra cost.

The online Introduction to Microsoft Publisher course teaches you how to use Microsoft Publisher through a series of engaging and useful projects. With each project, you not only learn about a new publication type, but you also build a set of core application skills that will carry through to your own future projects, no matter what type of publication you need. By course completion, you will know how to create a brochure, design business cards, and much more!

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Office 365 suite with Publisher (not included)
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Ready to get creative? With Microsoft Publisher, anyone can master desktop publishing. Through dozens of hands-on exercises, you will create newsletters, calendars, greeting cards, brochures, and many other publications you can use for business, clubs, schools, and more.

Learning Your Way Around Publisher

New to Microsoft Publisher? This lesson provides a gentle, no-experience-required introduction. You will learn how Publisher compares to other apps, such as word processors like Word and higher-end desktop publication programs like Adobe InDesign. You will find out how to create, save, close, and open publication files, and how to get around in the Publisher interface. You will also create your first publication here, and in the process, you will learn about color schemes and font schemes.

Creating a Simple Publication

This lesson introduces some fundamental skills that will apply to almost every publication you will create going forward, including business information sets, text boxes, pictures, and shapes. You will start out by using a template to create a flyer that contains text and graphics, and then change its template and its content. Then you will create an award certificate that contains text and drawn shapes, and you will learn how to stack and group objects.

Creating a Publication from Scratch

Templates are great, but sometimes it is easier to start with a blank slate. In this lesson, you will learn how to create blank publications of various sizes, and how to insert and delete pages in them. You will also get a closer look at how text boxes work, and practice creating, resizing, and moving text boxes, as well as formatting the text within them. You will also learn how to add borders and shading to a text box and adjust its margins and padding.

Creating a Publication using Imported Content

You might sometimes have content created in a different application that you want to use in Publisher. No problem! In this lesson you will learn how to import text from a variety of sources. You will find out how to clear any old formatting from the imported text, and how to make text flow seamlessly from one text box to another. Pictures are another type of content you might want to import, and in this lesson, you will learn how to import a picture and then format it in various ways, including moving and resizing it, applying a border, and applying filters, effects, and color corrections that can improve the picture's original appearance. You will also find out how to control the relationship between text and graphics when they overlap.

Sharing a Publication

What do we create publications for, if not for sharing them with people? In this lesson you will learn all about printing your publications, as well as how to save publications in other digital formats such as PDF and HTML. Then you will learn how to send a publication via an email message in several different ways, including attaching the publication as a PDF or XPS file and sending a publication in the body of a message.

Creating Publications of Different Sizes

Not all publications fit neatly on a standard letter-size sheet of paper. This lesson focuses on three different kinds of publications that all break the size mold in different ways. First you will create a business card and learn about layout options that enable you to print multiple copies per sheet of paper (or cardstock). Then you will learn how to create large banners in Publisher and then either have them professionally printed or piece together a makeshift banner using multiple sheets of paper and a roll of tape. Finally, you will learn how to create advertisements for print publications using whatever size you need to fit the publication's requirements.

Creating Folded Publications

In this lesson, you will learn about three kinds of publications that have one thing in common: they are designed to be folded. You will first create a trifold brochure and discover how to make a brochure layout without interfering with the folds. Then you will plan and create a greeting card (and save yourself a fortune in buying store-bought cards!) Finally, you will create a booklet and learn about setting up mirrored pages and adding headers and footers.

Creating a Newsletter

This lesson is devoted to a single project: a newsletter. You will discover some common newsletter elements and learn how to plan for double-sided printing. Then you will flow text between pages and create notations that help readers find the second part of a story that starts on page 1. Finally, you will learn how to add pictures, design access, and page parts, and how to print a double-sided newsletter using an ordinary home printer that prints on only one side of the paper at once.

Ensuring Consistency

Publisher includes several features that help you make sure your work stays consistently formatted from page to page (and even between publications). You will start out by learning about master pages, which are page templates that help you repeat certain elements and positioning guides on every page of a multi-page publication. Next, you will learn about styles, which apply consistent character and paragraph formatting to text. You will also practice creating and using personal templates, which can be reusable models that can contain both master pages and styles. Finally, you will learn about building blocks, which are saved content snippets you can reuse over and over again.

Creating Magazines and Calendars

This lesson takes your design skills to the next level! You will plan and create a magazine cover that includes a full-page bleed, graphics, text boxes, and other elements. You will learn how to align objects precisely on a page, and how to control character spacing and kerning. Next, you will design a table of contents for a magazine, and in the process, you will learn about Publisher's Tables feature. Finally, you will learn how to create two kinds of calendars: a small one that's part of a larger publication, and a whole publication devoted to a multi-month calendar that you could have professionally printed.

Creating Mail-Merged Letters and Email

Mail merge. The name can sound intimidating, but it's really not that hard! In this lesson, you will create two kinds of mail mergers: a letter to be mailed and an email message to be sent electronically. You will learn about the elements of any mail merge, including a data file, a main document, and merge fields, and you will find out how to combine those elements to make a merge happen.

Creating Labels and Envelopes

In this final lesson, you will learn how to print envelopes and address labels, continuing your exploration of mail mergers. You will first create a single envelope and then expand it into a set of merged envelopes. Then you will first create a single self-stick label and print a whole sheet of the same one (for return-address labels), and then you will expand that into a mail-merged set of address labels for sending out cards or packages. Finally, you will put all your skills together and try out some projects that enable you to showcase what you have learned in the course.

What you will learn

• Create single-page publications like award certificates, flyers, and signs
• Make folded publications, including greeting cards and brochures
• Produce varied sizes of publications, from business cards to banners
• Design multi-page, two-sided publications like booklets, newsletters, and magazines
• Use mail merge to personalize each copy of a publication

How you will benefit

• Become the go-to desktop MS Publisher pro for your business, school, or organization
• Save money by designing and printing your own printed materials
• Express your creativity by creating original publication projects
• Open the door to new career opportunities or potential promotions

Learn everything you need to know to write a great script, from structure, character creation, and dialogue to marketing and selling your screenplay.

There's never been a better time to start a career as a screenwriter. With technological breakthroughs bringing the cost of making and distributing movies down to almost nothing, there is an ever-increasing demand for great scripts—and for people who can write them. Whether you want to write micro-budget indie films or Hollywood blockbusters, this course will teach you everything you need to know to write a script that sells.

You will learn the fundamentals of stories—why audiences need them, what they expect from them, and what kinds of stories work time after time. You'll discover how to create characters audiences connect with and how to write dialogue that will bring them to life. You will get hands-on experience through a series of short writing assignments that will have you working like a pro from the very beginning of the course. In addition, you'll get an inside look into the business of selling your script and building your career as a writer. When you finish the course, you'll be ready to start writing your own script!

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. Why Write a Script Now?
2. What Is a Story?
3. Conflict
4. Creating Characters
5. Screenplay Structure
6. Middles
7. The End
8. The Scene
9. Dialogue (or Not)
10. The Rewrite
11. Your Script and You

Learn the most efficient and effective methods to conduct research for any writing project.

Attention all writers! Learn how to efficiently and effectively conduct research for any writing project: fiction, nonfiction, business . . . even term papers and dissertations. Research has progressed far beyond a visit to the library. Today, myriad sources provide almost anything a writer might need to know on any subject. Learn how to identify and access every information source imaginable.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Learn how to efficiently and effectively conduct research for any writing project: fiction, nonfiction, business, and even term papers and dissertations. This course will help you discover how to identify and access every information source imaginable.

Research: The Foundation of Writing

In this introductory lesson, you'll learn why good research skills are necessary for effective writing. You'll unleash your creativity with the exciting "Mind Mapping" tool to identify your subject—in both a general and specific way—to help refine your research before you even begin. You'll also learn the importance of understanding jargon and technical terms specific to your subject, which will leave you much better prepared to begin your project.

Making a Plan

You probably already know that much time can be wasted if research is conducted in a disorganized manner. In this lesson, you'll learn how to organize a plan for your research and how to keep organized once your research is underway. You'll identify the first steps of research, including choosing between academic and anecdotal research, primary and secondary sources, and which resources will be the most productive for you in the early stages of research.

The Library: A Virtual Field Trip

The library is still the most all-inclusive resource for research, but many people aren't aware of the treasure trove of information residing within its walls. This lesson will take you on a virtual field trip through the many library sections and departments, introducing and reviewing the materials available, including periodicals, microfilm records, Lexis-Nexis, rare books, reverse directories, government reports, maps, old telephone books, and many others. You'll discover resources that you never knew existed.

The Personal Interview

One of the most productive resources for researches is the personal interview, but it can be intimidating. In this lesson, you'll learn how to find experts and how to prepare for an interview. You'll learn the keys to formulating questions designed to get the very best from your subject. By the time you finish this lesson, you'll feel confident and competent to approach your interview subjects with ease.

Getting the Most out of Reports and Studies

Perusing reports can seem about as much fun as a root canal, but it's worth it when you find nuggets of information essential to your research. This lesson will introduce you to numerous valuable reports, including census reports, public company reports and a multitude of government reports. You'll learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff, winnowing out the pertinent information, and how to assess a report not only for its content but also for the reliability of its source. As a bonus, you'll be given some guidelines for turning statistics into prose.

History: Fact or Fiction?

In this lesson, you'll learn how to incorporate history into your writing, whether it's fiction or nonfiction. You'll discover what you've probably suspected all along: the truth of history is often shaped by the perspective of the historian. This lesson will teach you how to evaluate different perspectives, how to spot "rewritten history," and how to zero in on fact versus mythology.

Public Records: A Treasure Trove of Information

This lesson will introduce you to the numerous public records that are waiting to reveal information about persons, places, and things. Real estate records, birth, marriage and death records, civil and criminal trial records, bankruptcy filings, construction records, and political campaign information are but a few of the many records available to the public. By the end of the lesson, you'll know what's out there and how to get to it.

The Internet: A Researcher's Best Friend

Conducting research on the Internet can be a valuable time-saver. It can also allow researchers to fall into the trap of believing everything they read. This lesson will discuss Internet reliability: what you can trust and what you should distrust. You'll also learn skills for effectively using search engines for your research, for both general and specific topics. You'll find many useful research links and learn about issues such as when you should and should not pay for your information. The Internet has as many pitfalls as benefits, and this lesson will show you how to avoid the pitfalls.

Creating Your Own Information

Some researchers can't resist the lure of using information that has never before existed. This lesson discusses the value of collecting your own data by way of surveys, studies, interviews, polls, and questionnaires. You'll learn how to effectively create these instruments of data-gathering, and you'll learn the difference between valid statistical sampling versus informal, nonscientific results, and when the use of each is appropriate.

Guerrilla Research

Have you ever had difficulty finding cooperative sources of information? This lesson will reveal the secrets of Guerilla Research; i.e., how to get answers when the questions are being evaded. You'll learn techniques for gaining the confidence of reluctant interview subjects, as well as methods for digging and snooping. In other words, you'll learn how to get what you want when the direct approach isn't working.

Attribution: Giving Credit When Credit Is Due

Once your research has been compiled, much of it will be quoted or paraphrased within your manuscript. This lesson will discuss the importance of proper attribution as well as the technical methods for crediting your sources. You'll learn how to painlessly create a bibliography, and you will also learn how to decide between citations, footnotes, and endnotes for your work. You can easily avoid copyright violations by gaining a basic understanding of copyright law, along with the fundamentals of fair use and permissions. Writers know how important it is to protect themselves, and in this lesson you'll learn how.

Pulling It All Together

Your research is complete, your facts are gathered; now what? In this final lesson, you'll learn what to do with all the research materials you have accumulated. You'll learn how to identify what is valuable and what should be discarded. You'll gain insight on both the writing and the editing process, and as a bonus, you'll learn how to avoid some of the most common word-usage mistakes. This lesson will give you the final skills you need to produce a well-researched, polished manuscript.

Discover the secret to transforming your tired, boring resume into a powerful tool that will get you interviews.

Create an effective resume or improve the one you already have. Transform your resume into a powerful tool that will get you interviews. Learn different resume formats and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Make the most of your work experience and discover how to use references to your advantage. This course includes the use of online resumes and is invaluable for anyone who wants to create their own resume, or learn how to write resumes and cover letters for profit.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Transform your resume into a powerful tool that will help you get interviews. This course is invaluable to anyone who wants to improve their resume as it will introduce you to different formats, help you make the most of your work experience, and discover how to use reference to your advantage.

Components of a Resume

The first lesson will discuss what a resume is and why you need one. Then, it will go over the six sections of a resume: Heading, objective, education, work experience, special skills, and references, and you'll learn how job seekers utilize each one to market themselves to prospective employers. The lesson will also discuss some other resources on the Internet where you can look over sample resume headings and objectives.

Self-Assessment

In this lesson, you'll outline the skills that you've developed in five areas of your life—work, education, internships, volunteering, and extracurricular activities. Then, you'll edit those skills down to the ones that are most relevant to employment, and choose an important skill for each area. Next, you'll come up with personality traits and narrow those down to the ones that are useful in a business setting. The lesson will ask you to list the three accomplishments that you're most proud of, and the skills that you used to make these goals come to fruition.

Rules of Resumes

This lesson will cover the rules of resumes. For instance, a resume should be only one page, and it should be laser-printed or typeset by a professional printer, and it should be printed on bond paper. You'll also learn what not to include on your resume, and why it's perfectly acceptable to use the word "I" on your resume if you so desire. The lesson will conclude with a discussion about Truth in Resume Writing. Through example, it will demonstrate how to portray job duties in the best possible light without getting yourself into trouble.

Chronological Resumes

In this lesson, you'll learn about the most popular style of resume—the chronological resume. In this type of resume, you'll list work experience in reverse chronological order. Your current or last position is listed first in the work experience section of your resume. The lesson will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this type of resume and show you how to minimize a gap in work history. Although many people will have a few small gaps in work history, having too many gaps or gaps that are too large will put prospective employers on alert.

Functional Resumes

This lesson will go over the other two resume formats—the functional resume and the hybrid—the combined resume. Although not as popular as the chronological resume, these resume formats do fulfill a need for some job seekers. Employees who are following a new direction in their career, or who don't have much experience for a particular position, may choose a functional format. You'll learn the differences between functional resumes and chronological ones, and as part of the lesson, you'll look at four people's chronological resumes and practice converting them into functional and combined resumes.

A Look at Your Resume

In this lesson, you'll concentrate on your resume. The lesson will discuss how to set up the heading of your resume and the options you have available to you when you're doing so. Then, you'll look at some sample resume headings. You'll learn how to write a persuasive objective for your personal resume and then learn about career profiles and summaries of qualifications. The lesson will also go over examples of objectives, career profiles, and summaries. Finally, you'll look at the education section of your resume and learn what's included in an honors section.

References

In this lesson, you'll learn about references. You'll begin by looking at examples of two reference letters written by two different individuals. Then, the lesson will discuss how to request a reference letter and show you some samples of them. You'll learn about the different people you can request a letter from and take a look at the difference between a regular reference and a sealed reference. After that, you'll look at a sample reference sheet that you can use as a model to construct your own. The lesson will finish up with some examples of how you can refer to your references on your resume.

Work Experience

In this lesson, you'll learn how to turn job descriptions into advertising copy. Your resume is an advertisement for a product, and you are the product, and your potential employer is the customer. You need to express the features (actual description of your product) and the benefits (how it will help or aid the customer) of the product. You must be as persuasive and specific as possible when describing your features and benefits. Finally, the lesson will discuss company job descriptions and why they're important to you.

Technical Resumes

In this lesson, you'll learn all about technical resumes (resumes for engineering, data processing, and other technical and management careers). The lesson will discuss how these resumes differ from traditional resumes. You'll learn about buzzwords and find out how to use them effectively on a technical resume. Then, you'll learn some writing tips for technical resumes and go over a recommended technical resume format. You'll finish up the lesson by looking over some examples of technical resumes—one chronological and one functional.

Online Resumes

In this lesson, you'll learn the three methods that employers use to locate a job candidate on the Internet. The lesson will discuss resume banks, search engines, and newsgroups. It will explain what you need in order to get Internet access, and the three versions you'll need in order to post your resume on the Web. The lesson will also go over keywords and other online resume tips and explain why you need to protect yourself on the Internet, as well as ways to accomplish this. Finally, there will be a discussion about how to post your resume.

Cover Letters

In this lesson, you're going to learn how to write an effective cover letter. The lesson will explain what a cover letter is and when you'll need one. Then, you'll go over the different parts of a cover letter and look at several examples of them. Finally, the lesson will discuss the follow-up sentence that you might include in the closing of your cover letter and why it's important in your job search.

Formatting Resumes

This lesson is all about the new resume that you've been working on throughout this course. You'll take one final critical look at it: Is your name centered at the top of the page? Is it highlighted by a larger font, bolding, or underlining? Is your objective highlighted, along with your education, college, and work experience? Were you consistent with font sizes, capitalization, spacing, and punctuation? Is everything lined up vertically? The left-hand side of your resume should be lined up vertically, but the right-hand side should be ragged. Is your resume perfect with no typos or spelling errors? By the time you finish this lesson, your resume will be ready to present to prospective employers!

In this teacher-training course, you'll learn from an experienced educator how to motivate and assist developing writers.

In this teacher-training course, you will learn from an experienced educator how to motivate and assist developing writers. You will get an overview of the writing basics, focusing on the importance of the task, audience, and purpose. You will also discover how to organize your materials to create an inviting writing environment.

This course will discuss each step of teaching writing and the strategies you can use with your students. You will also learn how to strengthen your students' writing using technology. Along the way, you'll develop engaging lessons for literary response, narrative writing, expository writing, and persuasive writing. You will discover the secrets of effective writing assessment as you learn about evaluation tools like portfolios and rubrics. The approaches you learn in this course will enable you to put everything you know about teaching writing into an applicable, workable format.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

In this teacher-training course, you'll learn from an experienced educator how to motivate and assist developing writers.

1. Getting Started: Writing Basics
2. The Writing Process: Part 1
3. The Writing Process: Part 2
4. Ways to Strengthen Writing
5. Enhancing Writing Instruction With Trade Books
6. Narrative Writing
7. Expository Writing
8. Persuasive Writing
9. Writing Across the Curriculum
10. A Trait-Based Approach to Writing
11. Writer's Workshop
12. Writing Assessments

Learn how to nurture student writers in the early elementary classroom.

From the time that a young child picks up a crayon and makes marks on a paper to when an older child puts the finishing sentence on an autobiography or a poem, a young author is developing the skills that will be used for a lifetime. In this course, you will examine the developmental stages of writing, from scribbling to the standard spelling stage, so that you can foster your students' skills and gently nudge them to grow as authors. This course is full of practical ideas that you can use to motivate students in your classroom.

You will look at tools such as the writer's workshop, the six traits of writing, and genre studies for ways to teach students about writing. You will see how each of these tools can be used by teachers to encourage early elementary writers. As your students become better writers, they will become better readers, and you will see how well reading and writing instruction work together to support each other.

The course also covers ways to support the writers who struggle, whether due to a lack of motivation, fine motor skills, or ideas. You will explore techniques for getting parents involved so that they can help with writing at home. By the end of the course, you will have a new enthusiasm for teaching that will ignite your students' love of writing.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Learn how to nurture student writers in the early elementary classroom.

Growing Young Writers

What makes teaching writing so important for our K-3 students? Your first lesson introduces the relevance of writing instruction in early elementary school. You will learn some practical ways to grow writers in our classrooms and talk about providing role models and celebration and meeting students at their developmental and skill levels.

Growing Talkers

This lesson delves into the connections between oral language and writing. You will learn how varying literacy experiences at home affects young children's work when they first enter elementary school. You will also examine strategies for helping students move from oral language to writing.

Growing Scribblers

This lesson explores the developmental stages of writing, starting with the scribbling stage and moving on to the letter-like symbols stage. Then you will visit a kindergarten classroom and a resource room to get some great tips for working with these young writers.

Growing Explorers

This lesson focuses on the strings of letter stage and the beginning sounds stage. And as you did in the last lesson, you will visit a kindergarten class and resource room to see how our teachers work with students in these two stages.

Growing Risk-takers

When it comes to writing, our young risk-takers are ready to make bold choices when they put their pens to the paper. This lesson introduces two developmental stages: consonants represent words and initial, middle, and final sounds. You will also learn strategies help your students achieve success.

Growing Butterflies

This lesson explores the final two stages of developmental writing: transitional and standard spelling. The standard spelling stage is our goal for all students, although they'll always be works in progress as they move toward this goal.

Writer's Workshop

There are many ways to hold successful writer's workshops. And this will be the focus in this lesson: examining the writer's workshop as a tool to meet your students' diverse needs. You will also learn the three components of a successful writer's workshop: the mini-lesson, writing time, and sharing time.

The Six Traits of Writing

What does great writing look like? There's no easy answer to this question, of course. And that's just what this lesson focuses on — defining and teaching great writing traits. You will learn the six traits of writing: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions.

Conferencing With Students

This lesson focuses on writing conferences. You will be introduced to the different conferences types and how to effectively conduct your own conferences with students at varying developmental levels. You will also learn about rubrics and how to use them to assess student writing.

Navigating Roadblocks

How do you help students who struggle with some of the physical aspects of writing? In this lesson, you will learn how to navigate roadblocks such as trouble with fine motor skills, posture, and stamina. You will also explore specific tactics for reversing letter reversals.

Getting Into Genres

This lesson is all about genres: narrative, expository, procedural, persuasive, and transactional. You will learn how genre study motivates students and increases writing and reading comprehension skills. You will also examine the components of each genre and incorporate them into their classroom instruction.

Teamwork Gets It "Write": Building the Home-School Connection

The final lesson focuses on working with parents to support their young writers at home. You will learn how to have productive conferences with parents about their children's writing. You will also examine answers to some common (and often tough.) parent questions.

Examine the field of technical writing, learn how to write within any technical writing context, and develop your own portfolio.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.10 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Technical Communication: A Reader-Centered Approach, by Paul V. Anderson
• Technical Writing for Success, by Darlene Smith-Worthington and Sue Jefferson

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Effective communication is essential in today's business world. Technical writers are professional communicators whose role varies across industries and contexts. They may create manuals and instruction documents, write grant proposals for nonprofit organizations, manage social media accounts, or create compliance documents for pharmaceutical companies. They may work in industries as different as aeronautical engineering and healthcare or be self-employed. With skills and experience, technical writers can find rewarding and engaging work in many different fields.

In the course, you will explore the framework in which technical writing exists, the conventions it follows, and the essential elements all technical writing must have.

1. Introduction to Technical Communication
2. Your Role as a Technical Writer
3. Common Types of Technical Writing
4. The Seven Principles of Good Writing
5. Writing as a Process
6. Research
7. Organization
8. Rough Draft
9. Revising and Editing
10. Writing for the Web and Social Media
11. Professionalization in Diverse Workplaces & Memberships
12. How to Find a Job in Technical Writing (Optional Lesson)
13. Final Exam

What you will learn

• Writing to meet the needs of your audience, including writing with clarity and focus
• The differences between technical writing and other types of writing
• Ethical issues in technical writing
• Advanced grammar rules and effective research methods
• Writing effectively for websites and social media

How you will benefit

• Obtain a professional writing portfolio to showcase your work to current and potential employers
• Be prepared for technical writing jobs in a variety of industries like software companies, nonprofit organizations, marketing agencies, and more

Janet Underwood

Janet Underwood is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience as a senior technical writer. Janet started her career as an English teacher. She then went on to work as an editor and writer for several internationally known trade publications before marrying her love of technology with her passion for writing to become a technical writer. Janet has developed technical documentation for major corporations in the computer, information technology, telecommunications, financial, medical industries, U.S. government agencies, and public utilities organizations. She has also written several books used as textbooks for college technical writing courses and has been an adjunct professor.

Lynn Atkinson

Lynn Atkinson earned a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in 1993 and an M.A. in English with an emphasis in rhetoric in 1996. A published writer and editor, including contributions to college textbooks, she considers her greatest accomplishment educating thousands of students at UTA, DeVry, Tarrant County College, Southeast Career Institute, and Everest College. She has also been nominated for and awarded "Outstanding Teacher" at several of these institutions. Lynn has developed or co-developed several writing curriculums, won writing contests and conducted over 10,000 hours of tutoring.

If you're a determined new writer, this class will provide you with the skills you need to get published.

Have you ever thought about writing for magazines? Turn your dreams into bylines and help yourself to a bright future as a magazine writer. It is fun, easy, and a great source of extra income. If you are a determined new writer, or if you haven't written for magazines in years, this class will jump-start your career. You will learn plenty of powerful brainstorming techniques designed to get those creative juices flowing with articles that practically write themselves.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Learn the skills and insights you will need to jump-start your career as a magazine writer. This course will teach you how to get your work published and turn your writing skills into an easy source of extra income.

Getting Started; Finding Ideas

Did you know that you don't have to be an expert on a topic to write a magazine article about it? And you don't need a wall of diplomas to be a writer, either. If you think it's necessary to have taken formal courses in writing, journalism, or communications to write, reconsider that idea. In this lesson, you'll discover where ideas originate and get started as a writer of nonfiction magazine articles.

Getting Started; Finding Ideas (Continued)

Ask a magazine writer about the genres available to this profession and you'll learn about consumer topics, informational pieces, question-and-answer formats, true crime articles, and a bunch more. You'll hear about how-to articles, too. If you've been seriously thinking about writing for magazines, then you need to know about the categories. You'll begin that investigation in this lesson.

Getting to Know Your Market Guidebook

You've just purchased the latest market guidebook with the writing guidelines for oodles of magazines. It's awesome, complex, and exciting. If you feel overwhelmed, you're not alone. Some new writers get copies of market guidebooks and, once they've thumbed through them, put them aside. The books can be intimidating. But after this lesson, you'll be a pro at selecting magazines that want articles from you. By the end of it, you'll be able to use an innovative outlining tool, called The Bubble Method, which will help you make every single topic a potential article.

Getting to Know Your Market Guidebook (Continued)

What is a query letter? Do nonfiction article writers really need them? How can you write one that will capture the interest of editors? That's what this lesson will discuss: giving you a foundation for writing a query that sells your ideas.

Producing Articles; Using Email

In this lesson, you'll get a quick review of production tips and grammar rules. But the gem is a section on how to interview the people, experts, and celebrities that you'll be writing about. Whatever type of article you write, you may have occasion to interview someone. Not being an effective interviewer will diminish your chances of success. However, what you learn in this lesson will make interviewing fun and easy.

Producing Articles; Using Email (Continued)

Money. It's the topic of this lesson and will be discussed in depth. The lesson will then debunk that bugaboo, "writer's block". Yes, writer's block is out there, waiting to get your attention and stop you in your tracks, but in this lesson you'll learn how to simply acknowledge it and then get writing once again.

Writing Clearly; Knowing Your Reader

Do you know your reader? Most new writers say, "Hey, of course I do". But unless you know who you're writing for and write in a fashion that captures and sustains a reader's interest, you'll find writing for magazines a huge challenge. So, this lesson will talk about writing for a reader, ways to create clear and crisp writing, and writing fillers and essays.

Writing Clearly; Knowing Your Reader (Continued)

Have you ever wondered how magazine writers know how many words are right for a specific topic? Have you thought about where sidebars come from? Do you want to gain credibility for a nonfiction book and further your profession, cause, or company? You'll get answers to those questions and much more here in this lesson.

Employing Sound Research Techniques

By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to research topics for articles and understand how to get yourself into the research picture. It's nearly painless and really fun once you know the techniques professional magazine writers use.

Employing Sound Research Techniques (Continued)

Do you need to interview an expert or get a quote from one to make your article sparkle? You probably have a book in your house right now that would supply what you're looking for. This lesson will talk more about finding experts to make your articles sizzle. Then you'll examine the tools you need to self-edit. Self-editing is the polish that turns okay writing into publishable words.

Marketing Your Articles With Spin-Offs and Revisions; Seasonal and Theme Articles

Recycle your research and you'll be able to sell and resell ideas without reinventing the wheel. That's the focus of this lesson. The lesson will also discuss writing about theme and seasonal articles, locating regional publications that would be crazy not to have you write for them, and networking with others to increase the number of articles you sell.

Marketing Your Articles With Spin-Offs and Revisions; Seasonal and Theme Articles (Continued)

Imagine you're about to print an article that you've been working on for a week. It's dynamite and headed for publication in a major magazine. This is your lucky break. As weird as it seems to a cyber-savvy writer like you, the editor wants a printed manuscript. After thinking, "this magazine is still in the dark ages", you smile and comply. However, you've run out of paper (or need a printer cartridge) or stamps or some other indispensable writing supply. If this hasn't happened to you yet, it may, unless you realize that time is money. Time management is the final topic and since there's only so much time in the day, you'll learn how to use what you have, and use it well.

Become a professional author or advance your career by learning to write, edit, and publish nonfiction books of all types.

Whether you dream of becoming a full-time author, writing books to advance your career, or penning your memoir or family history, this fun and information-packed course will teach you how to plan, research, write, edit, and publish your masterpiece.

You'll learn how to immerse yourself in your subject and get the information you need from research, interviews, and observation techniques. You'll see how to choose a writing style, structure, and slant that will appeal to your unique audience and keep readers hooked. You will also discover exactly how today's traditional publishing industry works and what techniques you can use—such as crafting standout query letters and proposals—to get noticed by editors and agents. Above all, you'll get invaluable strategies for setting a writing schedule, banishing writer's block, and actually finishing your book! By the end of this course, you'll have all the tools at your fingertips to get your book completed and published!

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Learn how to become a professional author or advance your career by learning to write, edit, and publish nonfiction books of all types. This course will teach you the strategies and techniques you will need to finish and publish your own book.

Introduction to Nonfiction: Choosing Your Topic

If you think nonfiction is nothing but facts and figures, think again! From travel books to memoirs, you'll look at some of the most intriguing and top-selling nonfiction genres. In addition, you'll learn why nonfiction is such a good choice for first-time authors hoping to land a book contract. Then, you'll jump right in and get to work, transforming your interests and passions into a compelling book idea. Welcome to the exciting world of nonfiction books!

Shaping Your Book Idea

Now that you have a book idea, it's time to start sleuthing. You'll learn how to use the Internet to research similar books—either existing or upcoming—that might compete with your own idea. Then, you'll get some handy tips for differentiating your book concept and making it stand out from the competition. You'll also get a crash course in traditional and nontraditional publishing—what they are and how they work—that will get you thinking about your publishing options as you craft a descriptive statement that encapsulates your book idea.

Your Audience, Title, and Style

Are you still thinking of your book simply as "my book"? If so, it's time to bring your idea to life by giving it a name! In this lesson, you'll determine the best audience for your book and write a working title that reflects the unique angle that you bring to your topic. After that, you'll take the first steps toward choosing your writing style.

Research, Interviewing, and Immersion

Ready for more detective work? This lesson will talk about gathering the facts, opinions, and observations you'll need to write your book. First, you'll learn handy tips for doing traditional research in the library or on the Internet. Then, you'll delve into some fun techniques that will help you get the best out of the people you interview. Finally, you'll find out how to get inside your topic using a fun technique called immersion.

Organization and Structure

You've finished your research—it's time to write! In this lesson, you'll discover how to begin the writing process without feeling overwhelmed. First you'll learn how to break your content into manageable chunks and choose an overall organization scheme for your book. Then you'll explore the pros and cons of outlining and free writing and decide what path you want to pursue. Finally, you'll get tips for writing each portion of your chapter—whether you choose a traditional nonfiction format with a beginning, middle, and end, or a storytelling format written in scenes. Either way you'll learn to write captivating leads that will snag the attention of readers and publishers!

Nonfiction Writing Tips and Techniques

In this lesson, you'll delve into some writing techniques that are critical to nonfiction writers. You'll learn to use precise vocabulary and make your points clearly and accurately so readers never get lost. You'll also decide what role you, as the author, will play in the text—will you be a constant presence in your book, or will you play a more inconspicuous role and let your content shine? You'll finish this lesson by learning how to use quotations and paraphrasing correctly and exploring how to integrate facts and descriptions into your book in a fluid way that keeps readers fully engaged.

The Writer's Life: Practical Tips

No matter how brilliant your wordplay, you'll succeed as an author only if you make time to write. For that reason, this lesson will cover the practical steps you can take to write regularly and finish that manuscript. You'll learn about the essential tools you need to create and back up your work and how to develop a consistent and realistic writing schedule that takes your writing preferences and other obligations into account. Finally, you'll get some solid techniques for blasting away procrastination and writer's block. This lesson will give you the practical foundation you need to commit to your book project and see your manuscript to completion.

Editing and Proofreading

Beautiful words don't always come easily. But put in a little blood, sweat, and tears—in other words, editing—and you'll get your manuscript in great shape! This lesson will cover how to edit and evaluate your work before seeking publication. You'll get tips for editing your writing and determining whether you should do your own proofreading or seek out a professional. Then, you'll learn how to solicit feedback from a few lucky reviewers who can help you evaluate and improve your book. Once you've completed these final steps, you'll be ready to begin the publishing process.

Traditional Publishing: Agents, Publishers, and Submissions

It's publishing time! You'll start this lesson by analyzing your reasons for wanting to publish a book and use that information to help you decide between traditional and nontraditional publishing. Then you'll learn more about the advantages of agents and kick-start your search for either an agent or a traditional publisher by finding those best suited to you and your book.

Traditional Publishing: Query Letters, Proposals, and Shortcuts

Submitting your work the right way is the key to getting published. So, in this lesson, you'll learn how to craft winning query letters and proposals that will make your book irresistible to agents and publishers. You'll also discover how to track your submissions, what to expect from literary contracts, and how to work best with agents and editors once you seal the deal. Finally, the lesson will cover some valuable shortcuts that can get you straight to an agent or editor and save you tons of time (and even money!).

Nontraditional Publishing

Want more control over the publishing process? If so, nontraditional publishing may be perfect for you. In this lesson, you'll learn all the steps required to publish your own book. First, you'll explore the differences between Print on Demand (POD) publishing and full self-publishing, helping you decide which path is right for you. Then, you'll go through each of the tasks required to get your book in print: editing, cover design, layout, setting your book's price, choosing the right printer or POD publisher, and more. The lesson will end with a discussion about easy-to-publish e-books.

Distribution, Publicity, and Promotions

Once your book is in print, how will anyone know it exists? Even authors of traditionally-published books need to help with publicity, so this lesson will cover some creative ways to sell and promote your masterpiece. You'll start by looking beyond the traditional bookstore to uncover other profitable places you can sell your book. Then, you'll delve into the world of promotions, learning how to create press materials that grab the attention of newspapers, magazines, blogs, and radio and television stations. You'll also learn how to create a website for your book and how to make the most of listings on Internet book-selling sites like Amazon.

Learn how to use story outlines like a professional writer with lessons developed by a published author.

What's the single biggest difference between professional authors and novices? Professionals know how to structure novels and stories for maximum dramatic effect. This course helps you develop the same story structuring skills the pros use. You will understand how your passion, theme, premise, and characters help you create the structure of your story, and discover how viewpoint, dialogue, pacing, and many other techniques are used to build scenes and move your story from beginning to end.

Each assignment in this course helps you develop your own original novel or story. As you apply each technique, your story will take shape, with a clear path from beginning to end. Before you know it, you will be prepared to write fiction like a pro.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Learn how to use story outlines like a professional writer with lessons developed by a published author.

Story Structure

For the duration of this course, you will learn the techniques that professional authors use to write effectively and create a story structure that delivers maximum impact. This first lesson explores the idea of story structure and fundamental rules that successful fiction follows. You will also learn the often-misunderstood difference between story and plot.

The Dramatic Elements

At the heart of every story are the dramatic elements of passion, theme, character, and premise. Your passion is what drives you to tell your story, and the theme is the underlying message it carries. To convey your theme, you will create characters who represent that theme—either positively or negatively. Put all of these together and you have your premise. This lesson focuses on all of these elements.

Character

Character is what story is all about. Without a character, and a change in that character, there can be no story. In this lesson, you will discover why the best characters are flawed. You will see how this applies to your main character—the protagonist—and the opposition forces of the antagonist. And finally, you will map out the other characters who round out your story.

Act 1: Hook, Backstory, and Trigger

This lesson is the first of three that focus on constructing a story outline, act by act. In Act 1, you will learn how to hook your readers. Then you will fill them in with some character history called backstory. And finally, you will exit Act 1 with a bang by triggering a traumatic event in the life of your protagonist.

Act 2: Crisis, Struggle, and Epiphany

If Act 1 ends with a bang, Act 2 starts with a whimper. Your protagonist begins in crisis, an emotional state brought on by one of their flaws. And because of that flaw, your protagonist will struggle throughout Act 2, as the antagonist delivers setback after setback. Fortunately, at the conclusion of Act 2 your protagonist finally figures out the source of all this emotional distress and how to overcome it.

Act 3: Plan, Climax, and Ending

The epiphany that ended Act 2 has prepared your protagonist for triumph in Act 3. Now it's time to devise a plan. The result will be a final confrontation with the antagonist. This lesson focuses on the best way to confront your antagonist—it's not what you might guess. Then, with that climax behind you, you're ready to tie up loose ends in the ending.

The Story Idea

You have accomplished a lot in the last few lessons. By now you should be pretty comfortable with story structure. The next three lessons take concepts you have learned and apply them to the development of a real novel. This first of these lessons focuses on using dramatic elements to create a character, their flaw, and then put it all together into a formal story idea.

The Story Outline

This lesson expands the story idea for a novel into the nine checkpoints of our three-act outline. This is quite a challenge for just one lesson, but you're almost an expert at this story structuring by now.

The Long Form

Now that you have your outline, it's time for that magical moment when you begin expanding it into the long form. The actual novel is about to materialize. This lesson will teach you how to insert markers for the scenes that support and develop the outline.

Plan Like a Pro

One of the most important choices an author makes is viewpoint. It affects every aspect of the story—from theme, to pacing, to suspense. This lesson explores the three most common viewpoints—omniscient, third-person limited, and first person—and discover their advantages and disadvantages.

Plot Like a Pro

This lesson looks at techniques for refining your plot and controlling its pace. Then you will unravel the internal structure of various fiction pieces you've ever read, discovering a structure called scene and sequel.

Write Fiction Like a Pro

Now that your novel, play, or screenplay is well underway, it's time to think about polishing the finished product. This final lesson explores the techniques that make your writing sparkle, including tips on dialogue, imagery, and establishing your own unique voice.

Learn how to create and distribute an inspirational and professional autobiography for family, friends, and others.

Have you thought about writing your story, sharing life-altering events? Does your family really know about their heritage? If you've ever thought about writing your life story, now is the time!

In this course, you will have the satisfaction of telling history your way. You will learn how to bring characters to life, recall vivid memories, engage readers, and even manage your creative time. You may even find a lucrative market for your story, just like the authors of the bestselling Rocket Boys and Angela's Ashes. This course walks you step-by-step through the process of writing your life story. It's fun. It's exciting. It's a story only you can tell!

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Learn how to create and distribute an inspirational and professional autobiography for family, friends, and others. This course teaches you how to bring characters to life, recall vivid memories, engage readers, and manage your creative time so you can share a story only you can tell.

What's Your Story

Has anyone ever told you that you have an incredible life or asked if you've written your life story? Are there things that you want to put in print for yourself, your loved ones, or the reading public? If so, then this is the class for you! In this first lesson, you'll discover why only you can write your life story, how to give yourself permission to do it, and explore some ways to empower yourself.

It's About You

Where should you start? The beginning might not be the correct answer. That's the focus of this lesson. The lesson will also talk about becoming an observer of yourself and others around you. You're hereby given permission to ask questions and eavesdrop on conversations (without being rude, of course). What direction will you take when writing about your life? Will it be a book-length memoir or a collection of shorter essays? You'll explore the endless possibilities and learn why you don't have to make any decisions just yet.

Finding Your Story

Writing a life story is like making a pot of vegetable soup. You assemble all the ingredients, chopping some or maybe shelling fresh peas and peeling carrots. Then you find a pot that's the right size and begin putting the ingredients in it. Next comes the waiting part. You must simmer the soup for a while or it won't be soup—just cold water with raw vegetables. Right now, your life story might be just that—a bunch of ingredients that you need to assemble and let simmer. This lesson will talk about how to select the right ingredients for cooking up a life story that will satisfy both you and your reader.

Your Cast of Characters

This lesson will talk about the people who have been in your life and discuss their influence on you. In order to spark your memory and to pull these influential people into your story, you'll fill out character sketches on each person. You might even discover some things about yourself as you reflect on those who have been a part of your world.

Starting at the Beginning

When you write your life story, you'll be revealing yourself. You may share moments few know about. You'll tell your side of events, adventures, and episodes. You'll make judgments, you'll give opinions, you'll speak out, and you may allow others to see sides of you that have never been revealed. You'll learn about—perhaps even wrestle with—these topics in this lesson.

Quick Ways to Jog Memories

In this lesson, you'll learn quick, easy, and virtually guaranteed methods to spark memories. You'll do this by investigating your senses and your memories. That might include looking at photographs, going to movies, or even eating comfort foods from your past.

Getting Serious About Writing

In this lesson, you'll continue to focus on how to jog memories and find creative inspiration. First, the lesson will talk about writing in a journal. Hopefully, by the time this course is over, your writer's journal will be your new best friend. If you're serious about writing the stories in your life, you will need time to do it. For that reason, the lesson will also cover time management. You'll learn where to find writing time and when may be the most creative times for working on your life story.

Historically Speaking

In this lesson, you'll learn ways to preserve your story, your own history. The lesson will talk about how to capture your writer's voice or the voice of the person you're writing about. Everyone has a unique speech pattern and word selection. Your job is to discover these voices and include them in your writing. The lesson will also go over how to get ready to interview others for information and how to fill in the blanks you may have in your own story. Then, it will discuss how to find the information you need through research. The challenge and fun of writing life stories is to write them as if you're sitting across a table from your reader, telling the tales. In this lesson, you'll find out how to do that.

The Interview

If you write, at some point you'll have to get information from another person. This is especially true when you're writing your life story. For that reason, this entire lesson will be devoted to interviewing. Imagine that you want to include how you and a grandparent share the same features, or so you've been told. By interviewing a friend or relative who also knew this person, you can get many more details. That's what interviewing is all about—asking questions to get information. When you're helping another person write a life story, most of the information you get will be through interviews.

Viewing Your Life and Giving It to the Reader

Location, location, location! You need to clearly describe the details of the locations in your life story. In this lesson, you'll learn professional ways to describe your location so that it jumps off the page. You'll gather up the tools to make your story shine. Yes, it's all in the details. In addition, the lesson will teach you how to create a mental picture of a typical reader. You'll find out why, as you write your life story, it's smart to concentrate on this person and make sure that they understand what you're saying.

Getting It Down on Paper (Or Computer)

Do you need to know about grammar to write your life story? If you've wondered that, you can breathe easier, because in this lesson, you'll get a quick review of the grammar you need to know and some tips to make it all much easier. Then, because writer's block is real, pesky, and tends to destroy even the most hopeful writer, you'll take it head on. You'll discover the trick to dealing with this creative brain slow down: staying focused while giving your mind some serious downtime. That doesn't mean you should give up your project or put it on hold. Just take some time out. You'll find the answers to questions that may have plagued you in the past and stopped you from writing.

Publishing Options and Extras

When people first began writing, one of the hardest parts for them is to gently, but relentlessly, edit their own work before they share it with others. Often, to create golden words—the ones that are too beautiful to cut out of a manuscript—they are forced to sacrifice entire paragraphs. Unfortunately, sometimes the golden words are the ones that have to go. In this lesson, you'll learn how professional writers self-edit and what they do to make their writing sing. The lesson will also talk about selecting titles and including supplemental material—focusing on the extras that could make your book visually appealing. Finally, it will discuss how to work with groups and when to share your work.

Banish writer's block forever with these tricks from the published writer's toolbox.

Who doesn't know the fear of the blank page? How can you transform your visions into the written word? Is it really possible to become a terrific writer? You'll find the answer to these and more of your questions in Writeriffic.

In this high-energy course, you will learn a number of invaluable tricks from the published writer's toolbox. Whether you're at work now or hoping to write a novel, a nonfiction book, a memoir, short stories or articles, Writeriffic liberates the imaginative, inventive bolts of genius that are inside everyone. If you've ever dreamed of hearing your writer's voice and writing what's in your heart and head, this course will make it happen!

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Banish writer's block forever with these tricks from the published writer's toolbox.

1. The Nature of Creativity, Creativity and Self-Discipline, and Finding One's Voice
2. The Nature of Creativity, Creativity and Self-Discipline, and Finding One's Voice (Continued)
3. Creating a Workspace, Molding a Creative Life, Feeling the Fear of Starting, Knowing Your Reader
4. Creating a Workspace, Molding a Creative Life, Feeling the Fear of Starting, Knowing Your Reader (Continued)
5. Types of Creative Writing Opportunities, Clipping Files, Market Guidebooks, the Bubble Method
6. Types of Creative Writing Opportunities, Clipping Files, Market Guidebooks, the Bubble Method (Continued)
7. Grammar, Self Editing, Production Tips and Finding Time to Write
8. Grammar, Self Editing, Production Tips and Finding Time to Write (Continued)
9. Overcoming Obstacles and Building Confidence, Fearing Ourselves, Naming Characters and Selecting Titles
10. Overcoming Obstacles and Building Confidence, Fearing Ourselves, Naming Characters and Selecting Titles (Continued)
11. Evaluating and Sharing Your Work, Attending Writing Conferences, Treating Yourself Well, Keeping Your Dreams Alive
12. Evaluating and Sharing Your Work, Attending Writing Conferences, Treating Yourself Well, Keeping Your Dreams Alive (Continued)

Learn to prepare grant proposals that get solid results for your favorite organization or charity.

Preparing successful grant proposals to receive funding from corporations or foundations requires careful research, meticulous preparation, and graceful writing. Grant administrators will often say that many grant requestors have a limited understanding of the proposal writing process, and as a result their worthy causes lose out.

Once you learn how to avoid the errors that lead to the rejection of your proposal, you will be better prepared to help the causes you most admire. This course will walk you through all of the essential steps, including an important discussion of what you must do when the grant arrives.

In this course, you will learn how to become fully familiar with the institution or project for which you are requesting support. You will get valuable guidance in preparing a background statement and a brief financial statement to support your request. You will also research some charitable foundation and corporate giving sources.

Then, you will learn how to put everything together, so you can assemble, write, and submit complete grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and wealthy individuals for any number of your pet projects.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Learn to prepare grant proposals that get solid results for your favorite organization or charity.

The Writing Style You Will Need for Your Grant Proposal

There's nothing magical about preparing a grant request, but in this lesson, you will learn some easy and fun tricks of trade that will help you with all sorts of writing projects, even those beyond grant proposals. And you will learn special ways to practice these tricks.

Thinking About Your Institution the Way Grantors Do

Those of who work for causes they think believe in will care about this cause in a very special way, usually a rather subjective one. But grantors who deal with literally thousands of institutions and causes have a rather different way of thinking about them. In this lesson, you will put yourself in their shoes. And in the process, you will learn a great way to describe your own cause to anyone.

Information You Will Need for Your Grant Proposal

Now that you have tried on your grantor's shoes, let's talk about why those grantors look for certain kinds of information and documents. You will learn what these documents are, so you can dig them out and be ready to supply them when you prepare a grant request.

Special Characteristics of Non-Profit Organizations

There are lots of interesting things to know about each individual nonprofit organization, but all nonprofits share one thing: They're not in it to for the money. Generally, you can measure a good business by its bottom line—whether it makes money or not. But how do you measure the effectiveness of a nonprofit that needs money? In this lesson, you will start to look into it.

Finding Funding Sources—Foundations

The hunt for funding sources is the eternal game of hide and seek that grant writers have to consider. How do you find sources that might be appropriate for you? This lesson will point you toward the most effective research tools available.

Finding Out About Your Foundation Prospects

Once you find some foundations that you think might be a good fit for your cause, how do you choose among a field that might include hundreds? In this lesson, you will learn different ways to sift through these foundations, and in the course of this process, you may unearth sources you haven't even considered.

Finding Out About Your Corporate Prospects

You have looked at all the possible charitable foundations that fit your cause, but don't stop there. What about the corporate world? Corporations have foundations, but they also have other ways of giving. This lesson focuses on packaging your projects for corporations.

Doing the Numbers

For those of you who are word people, you will learn another way to tell your story—let the numbers do the talking. People reviewing your proposals will attach great importance to numbers, so you can't get away with simply describing a project with words. In this lesson, you will learn about preparing numbers effectively. It's not hard to do, but it's essential to the success of your proposal.

Assembling Your Proposal

By the time you reach this lesson, you will have all the pieces you need for your proposal. Now it's time to put them all together and add the finishing touches so you can finally put a complete proposal in the mail.

So You Don't Get a Gift—What Now?

In the grant writing industry, you won't win them all. But when you do get a turndown, there are positive alternatives to doom and gloom. The suggestions in this lesson will help you deal with those inevitable turndowns.

So You Get a Gift—What Now?

Okay, just as you hoped—you did get a gift. There's an old saying in this business: Every gift paves the way to the next. This lesson will ensure you know just how to pave that road.

Some Thoughts About Writing Grant Proposals to Individuals

Now that you have all the elements you need for your proposal; can you also send it to an individual? Partially, yes. But you need to think about what would interest an individual and how you can best present your proposal to them; that's what this final lesson covers.

Learn how to write in English more effectively to succeed in college and at work.

Many ESL learners have excellent educations, training, and skills in their native countries. However, their dreams of success elude them in English-speaking countries because they cannot write effectively in their new language. This course will show you what English readers expect and how your writing can achieve your goals.

You will learn about the entire writing process and its five stages: prewriting, outlining, writing, revising, and editing. You will learn to generate and focus your ideas. You will discover how to write clearly focused topic sentences and thesis statements, which will guide you in writing logical, unified paragraphs and essays. You will also learn to refine and perfect your work, making it free of grammatical and punctuation errors.

You will gain important critical thinking skills and learn some techniques for writing concisely. When you finish this course, you will be able to write clearly, logically, and cohesively, and you will be able to apply what you have learned in any academic or work setting.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Learn to write in English more effectively so you can achieve your goals and dreams. This course will teach you how to write clearly, logically, and cohesively in any academic or work setting.

1. An Overview of Writing
2. The Creative Process
3. Effective Essays
4. Three Types of Essays
5. Compare and Contrast Essays
6. Cause and Effect Essays
7. Argumentation Essays
8. Correcting Your Wording
9. Take Care With Verbs
10. Other Parts of Speech
11. Common Writing Problems
12. Punctuation and Wrap-Up

This is the perfect course for anyone who's ever thought about becoming a fantasy fiction writer.

Fantasy is an increasingly popular genre of fiction, and now is a great time to become a fantasy fiction writer! This course is perfect whether you have an idea for a book or even if you don't know where to start. With the tools you'll gain in this course, you'll be ready to tackle your first fantasy novel.

In this course, you will learn what separates fantasy fiction from other types of fiction. You will also discover how to create characters and populate your world with unique, compelling, and interesting creatures. You'll learn how to outline your book, come up with a theme, and commit to actually writing. You will learn how to revise and edit so that when you complete it, your book will essentially be a finished product. You will even learn a bit about publishing your book, including the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing. Finally, you'll get a number of tips about how to stay motivated and complete your novel - because, after all, writing is hard work!

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Write for the increasingly popular genre of fantasy fiction and lay the groundwork for your very own fantasy novel. This course teaches you how to develop characters, build a compelling world, outline a narrative, apply a consistent theme, commit to the writing process, and publish your book.

What Is Fantasy Fiction?

The first lesson will provide an introduction to fantasy fiction. You'll learn why this is such a great time in the market to be writing your fantasy novel—and it really is a booming market at the moment! The lesson will discuss how fantasy differs from other types of fiction and the genres and subgenres that make up fantasy fiction. You'll also start working on a project to get you thinking about the types of fantasy you most enjoy reading and what you might like to write about.

World-Building, Part One: Exploring the World

What exactly is fantasy world-building? This is the first of three lessons on world-building. The lesson will discuss what it's all about, including the different types of fantasy worlds and what sets one type of world apart from the next. You'll also decide on a world type that you want to work with for the next several lessons. The lesson will talk about how to go about researching before you begin world-building, and you'll receive some simple tips for making researching fun and productive. Finally, you'll explore some ways to organize your world-building research so that you'll have all of your ideas and information at your fingertips when you need them!

World-Building, Part Two: Magic

In this lesson, you'll continue your study of world-building. First, you'll learn the different ways characters can gain the ability to use magic. Sometimes, it's a talent that they're born with, but you can also manufacture opportunities for them to develop the skill. The lesson will discuss how you can use magic in the world of your novel, and the difference between white magic and black magic. Finally, you'll compare and contrast three systems of magic and explore how to create consequences for the system you choose.

World-Building, Part Three: Societies

This lesson concludes your exploration of world-building and will wrap things up by discussing societies in fantasy novels. You'll learn about planning for and creating the beings and governmental systems that make up the societies in your novel. The lesson will talk about traditional and nontraditional creatures, the common people, government, and the religions within the societies. You'll also be thinking about what the common people might do in your novel and how they'll interact with other creatures. The lesson will discuss historical systems of government that you can use in your world and define the roles of the aristocracy and common folk. Finally, the lesson will address the role of religion in your novel and teach you how to create a believable fantasy religion.

Creating Characters

Do you know what they say about fictional characters? It's the characters that make the difference between a mediocre novel and one that comes alive in a reader's hands. Think about it—you can probably name your favorite fictional characters right now, can't you? And you can describe everything about these characters, from how they speak to how their mind works to what makes them cry. This lesson will discuss just how to create those characters. You'll look at main characters and supporting characters, what their roles are in a novel, and how to develop them in such a way that they jump off the page. You'll also learn how to create an antagonist that isn't evil just for the sake of being evil—but is a real character with wants, needs, and obstacles!

Plotting Your Novel

To outline or not to outline—that is the question! You may already have an idea about whether or not you're an outliner. Either way, this lesson will go into detail about the pros and cons of outlining. The lesson will discuss story versus plot, character-driven novels versus plot-driven novels, and outlining versus not outlining. It will also talk about the narrative arc and the protagonist's journey and how these things relate to the plot of a novel. If you're wondering how outlining might fit into your writing process, you're in the right place!

Theme

You won't necessarily know the theme of your novel before you begin writing, and figuring out what the theme is can sometimes be a bit of a process. This lesson will discuss the most common themes in fantasy fiction, and you'll look at examples of novels that use these themes. The lesson will also talk about the advantages and disadvantages of knowing your theme before you start writing your novel, and you'll learn techniques for incorporating your theme throughout your book in a seamless way.

The Narrative Voice

This lesson will focus on the narrative voice. It will discuss the narrative mode and some techniques of writing, including decisions you'll make about crafting your story, which point of view you'll use, and the grammatical tense you'll work with. It will also talk about the difference between scene and exposition and how to incorporate exposition in the least jarring way. Writing dialogue is often a stumbling block for fiction writers, so you'll take a look at a few tips for making dialogue sound realistic and using it to show characterization, build tension, and advance your plot.

The Writing Process

If you've ever heard writers talk about their writing process, you know it isn't as simple as sitting down in a chair eight hours a day and typing robotically on a keyboard. The writing process is complicated and ever-changing. When, where, and how much you write depends on a lot of factors, so you'll always be exploring what's reasonable for you to accomplish. This lesson will discuss some of the strange places where famous writers work (or have worked) and will also talk about some tools and rituals that might help you work successfully. Finally, you'll learn about setting goals and creating personal rewards to encourage you to reach your goals!

The Postwriting Process

This lesson will talk about the postwriting process—in other words, what you do once you finish writing the first draft of your novel. You'll examine the difference between revising and editing and learn how to do both effectively. How do you know what to revise and how to revise it in a way that benefits your story? This lesson will cover that and also discuss how you can edit your novel. You'll learn the editing steps and some tips for streamlining the process!

Publishing Your Novel

There's a lot of debate about whether self-publishing or traditional publishing is better, and in this lesson you'll learn that both have their strengths and weaknesses. The lesson will identify and talk about those strengths and weaknesses in depth to help you decide which route is right for you. You'll look at the process of finding an agent and traditional publisher for your novel, including how to write a query letter. The lesson will also discuss how to go about self-publishing—who you can hire to help with the final pieces and how to market your book.

Marketing and Motivating

The final lesson will talk about the importance of marketing and motivation. You'll take an in-depth look at using social media and the Internet to market yourself and your novel, and the lesson will also discuss in-person marketing and networking opportunities you can take advantage of to advance your career. Since staying motivated is probably the greatest challenge to writers, there will be an entire chapter devoted to this. It will provide you with lots of tips and resources for finding support and the inner strength you need to keep going.