10 Best Free Online Writing Courses for New Writers

You may have the idea that most people can write on paper. However, it does not mean that everyone is a good writer. Putting the first sentence on paper can be very challenging for writers. If you want to start a career in writing, this article will give you the best free online writing courses for new writers.

It is very clear that one can learn virtually everything online. Learning how to write online is just like strolling down to get some groceries at a shop. Writing may seem very easy to you but there are several keys to becoming a good writer.

To become very creative in writing, you must stick to the right techniques that will make you stand out among other writers. So, for beginners who wish to pursue a career in writing, the best free online writing courses for new writers in this article are a sure bet for you.

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How can I become a better writer?

While most people can write, not everyone is a better writer. Before you can become a better writer, it will take you quite some time to hone your writing skills. Keep in mind that this is not something you can do within a few weeks.

Therefore, here are the tips to follow towards becoming a better writer:

1. Read

During your kindergarten days, you are taught how to read (pronouncing words) first before writing. This is just the same for any type of writing.

It is always important to read and comprehend before writing. Well, you cannot just write what you do not know as you will have to read first.

Great writers are known to be voracious readers. When you read vastly and continuously, you discover new methods of writing. It does not just stop there. You will also find source materials that will help you to hone your writing skills and become a better writer.

2. Maintain a routine

Now that you have applied the continuous reading technique, it is now the time to write.

One of the major keys to honing your writing skills to become a better writer is to develop a daily writing routine. You can start by setting apart a particular time in a day that you may be free. It could be during your leisure – even if it’s just ten minutes, just use that period and write something.

When you keep doing this on daily basis and reading different materials, your brain develops more as well as your writing skills. Ensure that you do not miss out on some days as it may act as a setback to your development.

3. Use writing exercises

Prompts and exercises serve as a guide for new writers. By using prompts, you will learn how to begin the first sentence of any type of writing. For example, learning the structure of blog writing, essay writing, or a premise for a thriller, etc.

There are several prompts and exercises for beginners online. A great example of a prompt is Freewriting.

4. Get a journal

One of the keys to becoming a better writer is to keep a record of real-world events. So, this is where you need a journal for recordkeeping.

These real-life events will give you the inspiration to generate ideas for stories or essays to write on.

5. Belong to a writing group

You cannot know it all by yourself alone. There are other things you will get to know from another writer that will help you build your writing skills.

For this reason, you should join a writing group where there is a network of writers in so many niches. By joining a writing group, you will have the opportunity to learn more from writers who are professionals in the field.

6. Practice different types of writing

You may very good at a particular type of writing but it will be nice if you get to know other writing styles.

If you are very good at essay writing, try and learn fiction or horror writing. This will widen your writing skillset and set you up for more opportunities.

7. Research

You cannot write any piece of work without carrying out research. Even the best author around research while putting together any piece of work.

So, before you write, research very well.

8. Take writing courses

If you are a new writer, taking writing classes will be of immense help to you. By taking these classes, you will learn the recent writing methods from renowned writers.

It will also create a platform for you to ask them questions and get feedback from professional writers.

How can I improve my writing skills online for free?

Writing is a gradual process just like learning. Great writers were never born with excellent writing skills. They only became great in writing because they sacrificed a lot to hone their writing skills.

You can also become a great writer by honing your writing skills online without paying a fee. Therefore, the following online writing courses will give you a strong foundation in writing:

Best Free Online Writing Courses For New Writers

If you are a new or beginner writer, you can hone your writing skills to become a better writer by taking online writing courses.

The best free online writing courses for new writers include:

  • Grammar and Punctuation
  • Verb Tenses and Passives
  • English Functional Grammar
  • Start Writing Fiction
  • Transmedia Writing
  • How to Succeed at Writing Applications
  • Copywriting: Fundamentals For Beginners
  • Getting Started with Essay Writing
  • Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics
  • Technical Writing

Grammar and Punctuation

In this course, you will refresh your memory on the tools that will help you to improve your writing. Knowledge gained in the course will help you to understand other courses.

The course contains short video lectures that you will learn from. Afterward, you will practice all that you have learned from the videos. It will take you ten (10) minutes to complete the course.

Grammar and Punctuation comprise the following syllabuses including writing specialization, verb tenses & conjunctions, compound & complex sentences, and more commas, parallel structure, and sentence variety.

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to identify the correct verb tenses to use, use commas effectively, and write more effectively in the English language.

This online course is taught by Tamy Chapman.

  • Paid certificate
  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • Venue: University of California, Irvine via Coursera (online)

Enroll

Verb Tenses and Passives

This course will review the verb tenses that you learned in introductory English classes. You will also learn new forms of verbs. Additionally, the course will teach you how to blend tenses for native English speaking.

You will have access to all the video lectures and materials. This course is one of the best free online writing courses for new writers.

After taking this course, it will help you to hone your English language speaking skills.

The course comprises syllabuses including simple, progressive, and perfect verb tenses review, perfect progressive tenses, passives & perfect modals, and blending tenses.

Verb Tenses and Passives are taught by Tamy Chapman and Nicole Jacobs.

  • Paid certificate
  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • Venue: University of California, Irvine via Coursera (online)

Enroll

English Functional Grammar

English Functional Grammar will help you to improve your general speaking and writing through better grammar. You will learn how to create complex phrases and sentences in English. In addition, you will learn how to write connecting paragraphs thereby making your writing more organized.

The course contains 14 videos. You will take assignments and quizzes after each section. You can download the assignments along with the answers.

This course is one of the best free online writing courses for new writers.

The course is taught by Martin Tilney.

  • Start date: Self-paced
  • Duration: 2 – 3 hours
  • Venue: Udemy (online)

Enroll

Start Writing Fiction

In this course, you will learn how to develop ideas and reflect on writing and editing. You will also listen to renowned writers on how they started writing. These writers include Louis de Bernières, Patricia Duncker, Alex Garland, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Tim Pears, Michèle Roberts, and Monique Roffey.

After hearing from them, you will develop your ideas and begin turning events into a plot.

The course will give you the platform to review the works of fellow writers, get feedback from them on your own work, and give them feedback too.

If you have an interest in fiction writing, this course is a sure bet for you. The course is one of the best free online writing courses for new writers.

Start Writing Fiction is taught by Derek Neale.

  • Certificate available at $64
  • Start date: 5th of July annually
  • Duration: 8 weeks (3 hours per week)
  • Venue: The Open University via FutureLearn (online)

Enroll

Transmedia Writing

This course explores screenplay writing, novel writing, and video game design writing. While taking this course, you will create an original intellectual property (IP) into a transmedia project. The IP will contain written versions of your IP on various platforms.

In addition, you will write a novel and adjust the first chapters into the opening scenes of a movie or TV show and develop a game design concept of your IP.

After working on your project, you will publish the work for your peers to review it and you will review theirs too.

This course is taught by Tamy Chapman and Nicole Jacobs.

  • Paid certificate
  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • Venue: Michigan State University via Coursera (online)

Enroll

How to Succeed at Writing Applications

This course is designed for anyone applying for jobs or academic programs. In this course, you will hear from employers and admissions tutors to know what they look out for in candidates.

You will learn how to write compelling applications, CVs (or résumés), cover letters, and personal statements.

How to Succeed at Writing Applications is one of the best free online writing courses for new writers.

The course is administered by Hilary Jones and Pamela Hafekost.

  • Certificate available at $64
  • Start date: 5th of July annually
  • Duration: 3 weeks (3 hours per week)
  • Venue: The University of Sheffield via FutureLearn (online)

Enroll

Copywriting: Fundamentals For Beginners

This course is designed for people who wish to pursue copywriting as a career. Here, you will learn how to create compelling and relevant articles on web pages.

These articles are targeted at potential customers to increase the awareness of a brand, drive traffic, increase the sale of products and services, and inform readers.

Upon completion of the course, you will know how to create articles that sell and begin your freelance copywriting journey.

This course is one of the best free online writing courses for new writers.

Copywriting: Fundamentals for Beginners is taught by Mason Komay.

  • Start date: Self-paced
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Venue: Udemy (online)

Enroll

Getting Started with Essay Writing

This course will introduce you to the three types of academic essays. You will learn how to improve your writing skills after taking this course.

Upon completion, you will be able to write thesis statements for essays and well-developed body paragraphs. You will also be able to plan and write, compare &contrast, cause and effect, and argument essays.

The course is one of the best free online writing courses for new writers.

  • Paid certificate
  • Duration: 5 weeks (18 hours per week)
  • Start date: 24th of May annually
  • Venue: University of California, Irvine via Coursera (online)

Enroll

Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics

If you have a talent for music, this course will enable you to harness it. You may be looking for how to begin writing that song on your mind but you do not know how to go about it.

Therefore, this course will teach you an efficient and effective process for tailoring songs to express your ideas and emotions. You will begin the course by learning the tools used for poetic rhythm. These tools will help you to work harmoniously while developing your dies at the same time.

The course contains assignments that you will do and publish for peer review. These assignments are mainly lyric lines or sections or melodies.

  • Paid certificate
  • Duration: 5 weeks (17 hours per week)
  • Start date: 24th of May annually
  • Venue: Berklee College of Music via Coursera (online)

Enroll

Technical Writing

In this course, you will learn how to write various technical reports including research reports, lab reports, design and feasibility reports, progress reports, and consulting reports.

You will also learn the languages, structures, and styles used in writing these reports.

After completing the course, you will acquire the writing skills needed to communicate the information gathered from your technical or experimental work.

  • Paid certificate
  • Duration: 5 weeks (19 hours per week)
  • Start date: 17th of May annually
  • Venue: Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology via Coursera (online)

Enroll

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