Good online writing courses?
Anna Smirkin-Blazejewska
Wednesday, 03 September 2008 07:49 UTC
Hello, I’ve read the previous post, and I would like to ask about good online writing courses. I am going to finish my phD in near future and I would like to learn how to write well (medical writing) and get some kind of certificate etc. I would like to change my career to more ‘alternative’ one, but I’m not an English native speaker and I do not have writing skills, thus I was thinking of taking a course. Could you recommend a good and not extremely expensive online writing course? Thank you.
-
Replies
Jump to resultsResults
-
I do not know of an online writing course I can recommend, but the Nature Author and Reviewers’ website has a page of writing advice with links to various free services (not courses), so I suggest checking out some of those, by visiting here.
-
Thank You very much! I will definitely check it.
-
Hi Anna,
I am not affiliated with this in anyway, but I have heard great things about the program described below. This is available to anyone inside or outside of the University of Pennsylvania. You may have already missed the fall deadline, but perhaps you can take in Spring?
Online Writing Course from Univ. of Pennsylvania, USA
Lisa B. Marshall
Here’s some free resources for oral communication!
Lisa’s website
Art of Speaking Science Blog with free resouces
Free Program to Improve Communication Skills
__________________________________________HERE ARE SOME DETAILS…
Would you like to write more precisely and powerfully as you communicate with your colleagues, prepare abstracts for papers/meetings, and draft journal articles and progress reports?
Then BPP and Penn’s English Language Program (ELP) have designed the perfect online courses for you. No assigned class times, flexible due dates, and only a 3-5 hour time commitment per week over a 14-week period. The courses are designed for non-native, as well as native English speakers. Click here for the course descriptions
Class sizes are limited so sign-up today!
Cost for non-Penn registrants: $900 per course*
-
Thank You, it sounds interesting. So I’ll try to get more information.
-
Thanks, Lisa. Now I come to think of it, the A&R page I link to above does refer to one online writing course, but I have not had any feedback about it. I’d appreciate receiving any (and of any other online writing course).
-
Thank You for Your help, Maxine and Lisa. This course from University of Pennsylvania is probably something that I was looking for, but there is another problem. The price. I’m a PhD student, so $900 is too much for me. Do You know if I can apply for any financial support, scholarship or grant etc. Thank You again
-
Anna, the Inter-Biotec course linked at the Nature journals’ author and reviewer site is free.
-
Thank You Maxine, I have already checked it. It was helpful for writing my paper, but I was thinking about something that let me get solid writing skills, can give me a certificate which could enrich my resume. That is why I still need that kind of course, for example at the university. Thank You.
-
Anonymous
Before recommending any training for would-be scientists-turned writers, I’d ask: what sort of writing career are you considering? Science journalism?
Public relations? Corporate marketing? All demand somewhat different training programs.Next, ask yourself how much time and effort you want to invest. The amount should be inverse to your confidence level and experience. Done little to no professional writing? Then a master’s or certificate course would benefit you. Done some? Maybe consider one or two courses—online or otherwise, that most closely match up with the kind of writing you aim to do. Then try to snag a fellowship or internship, based on your “clips” (writing samples are the calling card for the professional scribe—at least as important as your resume and cover letter). Have some experience and a good feel for putting words on paper? You might want to jump right in, or at least take steps in the right direction, by writing for your institution’s newsletter or web site, or volunteering to prepare some press releases for your public information office.
Even without formal training, you can do some simple things to improve your copy. Eliminate as many prepositional phrases as possible. Use active words rather than passive “be” verbs” (this runs contrary to the way many people prepare scientific papers). Ensure each sentence has one main idea only; if your sentences run on too long, you are trying to pack too much information before one full-stop. Instead, create another sentence. Also, strive for clarity
—real examples rather than abstractions. If any of these concepts seem foreign, consider taking an undergraduate English course or two again.Although I don’t know of any great online courses dedicated to scientists who want to become writers, I’ve found a few resources I’ve used with some success for my journalism students at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Purdue University has a great online writing lab that explains the above topics and has some great exercises. Although Newsroom 101 specializes in newspaper writing—with an emphasis on Associated Press style, it also features some good exercises that should foster overall better writing.
No matter what avenue you pursue, I’d recommend lots of practice. Also, seek feedback from non-science types (family, friends, and colleagues in the English department). Have a thick skin and take constructive criticism to mind. It will help you improve—and either land the writing job of your dreams, or make you a better writer as a scientist.
-
Hi, thank You for Your response. "Done little to no professional writing? " Yes. Unfortunately I have never done any professional writing, recently I wrote my first paper, and I am not satisfied with the result. So I definitely need some training. I was thinking of medical writing, finally as a freelancer. Unfortunately I live now in the country where I have no chance to find any English writing workshop etc. Thank You for the links, they seem to be very helpful.
Results
-
