Writing, Editing and Technical Communication courses

A good index greatly enhances a book’s usability and value, yet few writers and editors know how to construct this vital part of a nonfiction publication. Learn the fundamentals of writing, editing and delivering back-of-book indexes to publishing clients.…

Develop your skills in applying the principles of effective writing to the editing of nonfiction manuscripts. Examine two phases of substantive editing—line editing and developmental editing—and learn the art of proposing editorial changes other than those…

Portrait, story and reflection: these are three forms of creative nonfiction. Learn to apply the techniques of storytelling to nonfiction prose pieces, including personal essays, features, commentaries, reviews, reports, journal entries and memoirs. In this…

In this beginning copyediting course, get an overview of the editorial process, including the use of style manuals and reference books, creation of style sheets, and methods of querying authors and clients. Learn how to edit using conventional marks and…

Study the more complex aspects of copyediting and the fine points of editorial style that editors of book-length manuscripts must master. Refine querying technique and learn how to approach the issues that arise when working progressively on segments of a…

Editors must have a strong command of English grammar, syntax and mechanics to edit the work of others clearly, confidently and correctly. Gain a practical understanding of grammar and the logic governing syntax and punctuation use. Learn to analyze grammar…

Designed for seasoned writers who seek to take their writing to the next level, this workshop helps you pinpoint areas needing revision, as well as provide you with tools to become your own best editor. Preserve the originality of your work while polishing…

You may be interested in your own life stories, but how do you make them engaging to others? Whether you are interested in writing a personal essay or book-length memoir, learn how to shape your story with essential elements of craft such as voice, structure,…

Whether you are writing a memo to your boss or a letter to the editor, it is crucial to craft your argument clearly and persuasively. Build confidence by improving your writing's organization, logic and style so that whatever kind of writing your work…

Ready to take your fiction to the next level? This writing workshop builds on the skills from ENGLISH X464: Introduction to Writing Fiction and dives deep into the art of the short story—while still offering valuable insights and exercises for novelists in…

Study the essentials of public relations and get a start on a new career. Learn how to make your message newsworthy based on media conventions so you can pitch effectively and ensure optimum coverage. Learn how to write press releases and email pitches and…

Develop your personal writing style. Learn the basic concepts and techniques of writing fiction, with the aim of heightening your sense of language and developing your ability to solve problems of structure, characterization, viewpoint, storyline, imagery,…

Do you aspire to a career in journalism or simply want to explore journalistic storytelling? Get a practical, task-based introduction to news writing and reporting, and learn standards embraced by the best media practitioners—old and new. This class is…

Explore multiple writing and revision techniques, drawing possibilities for new work from your own work and the poems of others. Learn to open up your poems to further invention and revise them to invite both surprise and mastery. You read published poems and…

This project is the final requirement in the Professional Writing Program, where you synthesize the concepts you have learned and apply them to an individualized writing project. This capstone project can be used to enhance your portfolio or complete a…

Get a practical introduction to the diversity of science-writing opportunities, including those for news organizations, magazines, institutions and websites. Learn about finding story ideas and reliable sources, conducting interviews, matching writing style…

Writing for visual media requires learning to conceptualize and shape a story that can be told with images. In this 10-week workshop, learn the fundamentals of narrative screenwriting (creating compelling characters, and building plot, story structure,…

Learn the tools and concepts to produce effective technical documentation and presentations relevant to a wide range of professional fields, whether you are in engineering, physical or social sciences, industry, health care, academia or government. You…

Build on the skills you developed in Technical Communication I JOURN X465, and hone your ability to define a document's audience and purpose to present the information in an optimal form. Improve your technical writing style and technique while creating…

Study the principles and best practices for information design in today’s workplace. Learn the fundamentals of graphic design theory while gaining valuable knowledge in the human information processing system. Learn how to understand and build information…

To write well, you must read well. By learning to read with the eyes of a writer, you can develop an understanding of what makes great literature work. Class readings include novel excerpts, short stories and memoirs, from classics to contemporary treasures.…

Become comfortable with the craft elements fundamental to creative writing, including imagery, voice, character, scene, summary and setting, and learn to apply these craft elements in the fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction genres. Through weekly readings…

Learn to write effectively for social media, specifically blogs, LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. Establish a coherent writing process and brand voice; learn editing techniques; and examine the interplay between platform-specific context, content…

One joy of writing fiction is the many kinds of stories you can tell. In this class, you will explore several popular genres of fiction—literary, mystery, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, horror and romance. Learn techniques that are essential to all…

This hands-on, collaboration-driven course is designed to help writers strengthen the core skills that make academic prose work. You’ll build a strong foundation in organization, tone, style, and genre conventions while practicing how to adapt your writing…

Develop an understanding of how feature stories blend journalism and art, exploring the dual nature of features based on facts but with the voice of a novel. Learn how to analyze features and how to research, report and write your own. You also learn how to…