Writing and Editing: Drafting

Q: 1. What will I learn in this course?

Discover the hidden cost of perfectionism and learn strategies to overcome it. Use a pre-mortem exercise to anticipate challenges before you even start drafting. Learn the distinction between summaries and scenes —and when to use each. Apply principles like “nothing else” and “need to know” to streamline writing. Engage with freewriting , temptation bundling , and writing before you're ready to overcome writer’s block.

Q: 2. How long does this course take, and how is it structured?

It includes four modules , each focused on a key drafting challenge or tool. Recommended pace: 1 week at about 10 hours , giving flexibility to learn at your own speed. Estimated total workload is around 13 hours , blending videos, readings, discussions, and hands-on assignments.

Q: 4. Who teaches this course, and is it credible?

Taught by Patrick Barry , Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Law School. Highly rated—average of 4.8 stars from over 300 reviews, with about 31,000 learners enrolled .

Q: 5. Will I get a certificate, and what extra materials are provided?

Yes—a shareable certificate of completion is awarded upon finishing the course. Included features like financial aid availability , access to Coursera Plus , and support across 23+ languages. Also provides longer-term benefits such as resource libraries, "Good Sentences" emails, and curated reading materials to support ongoing learning.

A rigorous course that transforms drafting skills through structured approaches to professional document creation and refinement.

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access	Lifetime
level	Medium
certificate	Certificate of completion
language	English

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Description
Additional information
FAQs

What you will learn in Writing and Editing: Drafting Course

Professional drafting techniques for clear communication
Structural organization strategies
Audience analysis and tone adaptation
Legal and business document frameworks

Precision in word choice and phrasing
Revision and polishing processes
Common drafting pitfalls to avoid

Program Overview

Drafting Fundamentals

⏱️ 2 weeks

Covers document purpose analysis, information hierarchy, and logical flow development.
Includes before/after document comparisons.

Professional Document Types

⏱️ 2 weeks

Focuses on contracts, reports, policies, and emails.
Features templates for common business/legal documents.

Precision Drafting

⏱️ 2 weeks

Teaches ambiguity avoidance, defined terms usage, and parallel structure.
Includes exercises in simplifying complex ideas.

Editing Process

⏱️ 2 weeks

Examines multi-stage editing techniques, consistency checks, and final proofreading.
Includes collaborative editing simulations.

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Job Outlook

Professional value: Essential for legal/business writers
Salary potential: Technical writers earn $-$ 110K
Industry demand: 7% growth for writing-intensive roles
Certification benefit: Recognized by professional associations

9.8Expert Score

Highly Recommended

Master professional document drafting and editing techniques for clear, effective business and legal communication.

Value

9.3

Price

Skills

9.6

Information

9.5

PROS

University-quality instruction
Downloadable style guides
Real-world document examples
Suitable for non-native speakers

CONS

Requires writing experience
Limited creative writing focus
Needs practical application

Specification: Writing and Editing: Drafting

access	Lifetime
level	Medium
certificate	Certificate of completion
language	English

FAQs

1. What will I learn in this course?

Discover the hidden cost of perfectionism and learn strategies to overcome it.
Use a pre-mortem exercise to anticipate challenges before you even start drafting.
Learn the distinction between summaries and scenes—and when to use each.
Apply principles like “nothing else” and “need to know” to streamline writing.
Engage with freewriting, temptation bundling, and writing before you’re ready to overcome writer’s block.

2. How long does this course take, and how is it structured?

It includes four modules, each focused on a key drafting challenge or tool.
Recommended pace: 1 week at about 10 hours, giving flexibility to learn at your own speed.
Estimated total workload is around 13 hours, blending videos, readings, discussions, and hands-on assignments.

3. Do I need prior writing experience or background for this course?

No prior writing or editing experience is required—it’s explicitly beginner-level.
Part of the accessible Good with Words series, this course breaks down drafting practice into approachable steps.

4. Who teaches this course, and is it credible?

Taught by Patrick Barry, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Law School.
Highly rated—average of 4.8 stars from over 300 reviews, with about 31,000 learners enrolled.

5. Will I get a certificate, and what extra materials are provided?

Yes—a shareable certificate of completion is awarded upon finishing the course.
Included features like financial aid availability, access to Coursera Plus, and support across 23+ languages.
Also provides longer-term benefits such as resource libraries, “Good Sentences” emails, and curated reading materials to support ongoing learning.

Writing and Editing: Drafting

Description
Additional information
FAQs

Explore This Course

Writing and Editing: Drafting