Field Overview
Writing
Do you love crafting the perfect sentence? If you have a way with words, you’ve probably dreamed of turning that creative passion into a rewarding career. All you need to do is develop your writing skills. Enrolling in our courses, can help you learn how to write and use those skills to change your life. With our flexible online lessons and open enrollment format, it’s easier than ever to fit your education into your busy schedule. Whether you’re brand new to the field or have some experience under your belt, writing classes can teach you valuable skills. You’ll learn writing essentials like research methods, formatting options, grammar basics, and how to proofread documents. By the end of our writing courses, you’ll have all the tools you need to create effective, professional documents that will impress your employer or allow you to start your own writing career at home. It’s time to pursue your passion for writing and turn it into a career—and we can help.
Available Courses
Select from various self-paced online courses to aid in advancement in this exciting field that encompasses such a broad range of abilities and talents stretching across multiple career fields.
Range of Courses
Courses are available below for those new to the field looking for skill development as well as those who are advanced and pursuing deeper career training. Regardless of your educational level or career experience, find whatever course is right for you, and let us know if we can help!
- Grammar and punctuation – A solid understanding of grammar and punctuation is essential for clarity and credibility.
- Spelling – Accurate spelling is a basic requirement for professional and coherent writing.
- Vocabulary- A rich vocabulary allows for precise and engaging communication, preventing the use of vague or repetitive language.
- Reading comprehension – The ability to read and understand text is foundational to developing your own writing. It allows you to analyze different styles and improve your own work.
- Planning and outlining – Before you write, outlining your key points in a logical order ensures that your final piece is cohesive and easy to follow.
- Cohesion and unity – Good writing maintains unity by keeping paragraphs focused on a single idea. Cohesion is achieved when sentences and paragraphs flow smoothly from one to the next.
- Organizing ideas – Brainstorming and grouping similar points together helps form a structured argument, especially for complex topics.
- Clear and concise language – A key to effective writing is communicating your point directly, without unnecessary “fluff”.
- Audience awareness – A writer must consider who they are writing for to determine the appropriate context, tone, and level of detail. Writing for a superior, for example, requires a different approach than writing to a colleague.
- Tone – Adjusting your tone to be formal or informal is crucial for different situations, from academic papers to internal communications.
- Writing purpose – Identifying the purpose of your writing (e.g., persuasive, narrative, descriptive, or expository) helps you choose the most effective writing style.
- Self-editing – The ability to critically review and revise your own writing is a vital part of the process. Taking a break before editing can help you spot mistakes with fresh eyes.
- Seeking feedback – Getting feedback from others, such as a writing partner or editor, provides valuable external perspective for identifying areas of improvement.
- Embracing revision – Strong writers understand that a first draft is not the final product. They are willing to “kill their darlings” and make significant revisions to improve their work.
Growth in this Field
Demand for professions in art and design is expected to grow, with opportunities for roles ranging from entry-level designers to creative directors.
Work Environment
Careers can be found in advertising, film, journalism, and various industries requiring creative design and content.
New & Custom
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Let us know what you are looking for. The Center for Professional Development creates and customizes online training videos, and we are also interested in discovering what is needed, so we can prioritize it as we determine which videos to create! Together, we shape what’s next!