Clinical Assistant Professor of Law
Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order
What You'll Learn
- Learn how the words you choose can change the decisions people make
- Use syntax strategically
- Write with originality and produce sentences that nobody else can write
- Arrange a complex set of information in a reader-friendly way
4 Modules
20 Hours
5 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order
This course will teach you how to use your written words to become more persuasive. You’ll learn creative ways to use syntax, effective techniques for telling stories, and a clever method for arranging a complex series of information. You’ll also get a chance to both professionalize your use of punctuation and add a bit of style and sophistication to how you craft everything from sentences to slogans.
In addition, you’ll get access to a wide range of books and other resources you can use even after you finish the course. These include (1) the readings and exercises provided to the students who have taken the in-person version of this course at the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago; (2) two digital libraries of excellent writing from a diverse collection of journalists, scientists, novelists, poets, historians, and entrepreneurs; and (3) a monthly “Good Sentences” email. Social media has only accelerated the ways in which we all must learn to use our writing to connect, compete, and create—sometimes all at once. So join us for this first course in a four-part series and experience the many benefits, both personal and professional, of becoming “good with words.”
Skills You'll Gain
- Basic Writing
- Creativity
- Editing
- Paragraphs
- Proofreading
- Punctuation & Capitalization
- Structured Writing
- Time Management
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order, the first course in the Good with Words: Writing and Editing specialization. This course focuses on how precise word choice and intentional word order shape clarity, persuasion, and voice. You will explore grammar as a tool for meaning, learn strategies for emphasis and specificity, and practice writing sentences that are accurate, engaging, and uniquely your own.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: The Words Under the Words
- Reading: Teaching Style + Resources
- Reading: Syllabus
- Video: Good with Words
- Video: Making You More Persuasive
- Reading: Class Clips
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Discussion Prompt: Best/Worst Writing Advice
- Reading: University of Michigan Survey
- Reading: Teachers vs. Readers
- Discussion Prompt: Teachers vs. Readers
- Video: Errors and Insights
- Reading: Exercise—Errors and Insights
- Video: Mechanics and Strategy
- Reading: Performing Under Pressure and Expressive Writing
- Discussion Prompt: Pet Peeves
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Video: Map to a Decision
- Practice Quiz: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: The Words Under the Words (Concept)
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: The Words Under the Words (Examples)
- Reading: Class Clips
- Video: Saints vs. Jerks
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Discussion Prompt: The Words Under the Words
- Video: Better at Getting Better
- Reading: "A Note About Me"
- Video: S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Stretch Goals
- Reading: Exercise—S.M.A.R.T. Goals Self-Assessment
- Video: Résumé Review
- Video: 6-60-6
- Reading: Exercise—Résumé Review
- Reading: The Optimal Amount of Advocacy
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: Edit Our Edits
- Video: Technical and Tactical
- Video: Punctuation and Professionalism
- Video: Punctuation and Professionalism: Comma Splices
- Graded Assignment: Punctuation Practice: Comma Splices
- Discussion Prompt: "Thank you, your order has been placed"
- Video: Notes on Nuance: "Un-"
- Reading: Notes on Nuance: "Un-"
- Graded Assignment: Nuance Practice: "Un-"
- Video: Good Sentences
- Reading: Exercise—Good Sentences (Education)
- Discussion Prompt: Good Sentences (Education)
- Reading: Garbage In, Garbage Out
- Discussion Prompt: Garbage In, Garbage Out
- Video: Reflection is a Team Sport
- Discussion Prompt: Takeaways (Week 1: The Words Under the Words)
- Video: Student Takeaway: Words Under the Words
- Video: Student Takeaway: Better at Getting Better
- Video: Student Takeaway: T-Shaped
- Video: Student Takeaway: 6-60-6
- Video: Student Takeaway: Writing as Mapping
- Graded: Weekly Review (Graded)
Module 2: The Infinite Power of Grammar
- Video: Previously On
- Reading: Exercise—Previously On
- Video: Previously On: The Words Under the Words
- Video: Previously On: Deliberate Practice
- Video: Previously On: Mechanics and Strategy
- Video: Writing as Redecorating
- Video: The Infinite Power of Grammar
- Reading: The Infinite Power of Grammar (Concept)
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: The Infinite Power of Grammar (Examples)
- Reading: Exercise—Interrupting Elements
- Reading: Class Clips
- Reading: Passive on Purpose
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice ("Passive on Purpose")
- Reading: Positive No
- Discussion Prompt: Positive No
- Video: The Animal Farm Principle
- Discussion Prompt: The Animal Farm Principle
- Video: Punctuation and Professionalism: "However"
- Discussion Prompt: Starting a Sentence with "However"
- Graded Assignment: Punctuation Practice: "However"
- Video: Notes on Nuance: "Almost" and "Even"
- Reading: Notes on Nuance: "Almost" and "Even"
- Graded Assignment: Nuance Practice: "Almost" and "Even"
- Reading: Exercise—Good Sentences (Entrepreneurship)
- Discussion Prompt: Activity—Good Sentences (Entrepreneurship)
- Reading: Resource Request
- Discussion Prompt: Resource Request
- Video: Takeaways
- Reading: Exercise—Takeaways
- Discussion Prompt: Takeaways (Week 2: The Infinite Power of Grammar)
- Video: Student Takeaway: Passive on Purpose
- Video: Student Takeaways: Positive No
- Graded: Weekly Review (Graded)
Module 3: The Rule of Three
- Video: Previously On
- Reading: Exercise—Previously On
- Video: Previously On: Syntax
- Video: Previously On: The Animal Farm Principle
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Video: The Rule of Three
- Reading: Class Clips
- Reading: The Rule of Three (Concept)
- Reading: The Rule of Three (Examples)
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Discussion Prompt: The Rule of Three
- Reading: Alliteration, Restraint, and a Mind at Work
- Discussion Prompt: Alliteration: Effective or Annoying?
- Graded Assignment: Alliteration
- Reading: Alliteration: Fan Favorite?
- Discussion Prompt: Alliteration: Fan Favorite?
- Reading: Student-->Teacher (Optional)
- Discussion Prompt: Student-->Teacher
- Video: Punctuation and Professionalism: Adverbial Conjunctions
- Graded Assignment: Punctuation Practice: Adverbial Conjunctions
- Discussion Prompt: Mistakes Were Made
- Video: Notes on Nuance: "To"
- Reading: Notes on Nuance : "To"
- Graded Assignment: Nuance Practice: "To"
- Reading: Exercise—Good Sentences (Criminal Law)
- Discussion Prompt: Good Sentences (Criminal Law)
- Video: Takeaways
- Reading: Exercise—Takeaways
- Discussion Prompt: Takeaways (Week 3: The Rule of Three)
- Video: Student Takeaway: Rule of Three
- Graded: Weekly Review (Graded)
Module 4: The Power of the Particular
- Video: Previously On: Interleaving and "To"
- Reading: Exercise—Previously On
- Video: Previously On: "Interleaving"
- Video: Previously On: "To"
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Video: The Power of the Particular
- Reading: The Power of the Particular (Concept)
- Reading: The Power of the Particular (Examples)
- Reading: Exercise—Strive for Five
- Discussion Prompt: "My Favorite Things"
- Reading: Exercise—"The Pleasures of Hating"
- Reading: Exercise—Word Choice, Word Confusion
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: Exercise—Which vs. That
- Reading: The Phenomenology of Error
- Practice Quiz: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: Exercise—Me, Myself, and I
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: What Makes a Word "Real"?
- Video: What Makes a Word "Real"?
- Reading: Slang School
- Discussion Prompt: Slang School
- Reading: Class Clips
- Video: Sentences Nobody Else Can Write
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Video: Sentences Nobody Else WOULD Write
- Video: S-H-A-P-E
- Video: Class Clip: The S-H-A-P-E Framework
- Reading: The S-H-A-P-E Framework Cheat Sheet
- Reading: (Optional) Exercise—What Happens If You Win?
- Discussion Prompt: What Happens If You Win? (Headline)
- Video: Punctuation and Professionalism (Coordinating Conjunctions)
- Graded Assignment: Punctuation Practice (Coordinating Conjunctions)
- Video: Notes on Nuance: Chiasmus
- Reading: Notes on Nuance: Chiasmus
- Graded Assignment: Nuance Practice: Chiasmus
- Reading: Chiasmus: Fan Favorite?
- Discussion Prompt: Chiasmus: Fan Favorite?
- Reading: Exercise—Good Sentences (Food)
- Discussion Prompt: Good Sentences (Food)
- Discussion Prompt: Takeaways (Week 4: The Power of the Particular)
- Video: Student Takeaway: Earn Your Generalizations
- Video: Student Takeaway: Sincerity Takes a Few Drafts
- Video: Next Course: Writing is a Superpower
- Reading: Book Recommendations
- Discussion Prompt: Book Recommendations
- Reading: (Optional) Exercise—Thank You Letter
- Reading: Course Feedback
- Reading: "Good with Words: Speaking and Presenting" and Michigan Online
- Graded: Weekly Review (Graded)
Grading Policy
Assessment focuses on weekly graded reviews that reinforce key concepts related to word choice, grammar, and sentence-level decision-making. There are four module quizzes, each worth 25% of your final grade. To pass the course, learners must earn an overall course grade of 80% or higher.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
Course Video
What Learners Are Saying
The words you choose can change the decisions people make.
Patrick Barry, JD/PhD Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, U-M Law School
