- Online
- $430
This course can be taken as part of the UBC Micro-certificate in Writing and Communication Skills for the Workplace: Grammar and Style or as a standalone course.
Do you recognize sentences that are clumsy, unclear or stilted, but aren’t sure what makes them so?
Learn how to apply the fundamental rules of writing to produce text that is not only correct, but also coherent, emphatic and elegant. Through written assignments and in-class or online discussions, practise revising text by analyzing and diagnosing common problems. Topics include clarity in complexity, balance and symmetry, and nuances of sentence length and rhythm.
You’ll receive feedback on the assignments you submit, and are encouraged to contribute to in-class or online exercises. This course is ideal for freelance writers, copywriters and journalists, and for anyone who writes regularly for work or for school.
Do you need a grammar refresher before refining your writing style? Consider enrolling in Writing Well: Grammar.
Course outline
Week 1: Overview of Style Guidelines
Week 2: Developing your Style
Week 3: Creating a Smooth Flow of Ideas
Week 4: Achieving Concision
Week 5: Shaping and Controlling Your Prose
Week 6: Achieving Simplicity, Clarity and Complexity
How am I assessed?
This course is graded as complete/incomplete based on participation. Your instructor provides you personalized feedback on the assignments you hand in.
Expected effort
Expect to spend 3–4 hours per week completing readings, exercises and assignments, and participating in online forum discussions.
Technology requirements
To take this course, you’ll need access to:
- an email account
- a computer, laptop or tablet under five years old and using Windows or macOS
- the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
- a reliable internet connection.
One day before the start of your course, we’ll email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.
Course format
This course is 100% online and instructor supported. Course work is done independently and at your own pace within deadlines set by your instructor. Log in anytime to your course to access the lessons as they become available.
Online materials will be available for three weeks after the course ends, after which time you will no longer be able to access the course.