The Best Examples of 5 Online Courses to Improve Your Writing Skills in 2025

Let’s get straight to what you came for: real examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills that are worth your time and money in 2024–2025.

These aren’t random picks. Each one solves a specific writing problem:

• You write at work and need to sound more clear and professional.
• You want to blog, build a personal brand, or write for the web.
• You’re in school (or going back) and need stronger academic writing.
• You’re interested in creative writing or storytelling.
• You want a structured path to go from “I can kind of write” to “I know what I’m doing.”

We’ll walk through five core courses, plus a few bonus options so you can see examples include different formats, difficulty levels, and price points.

1. Business Writing That Works: Coursera’s “Business Writing” (University of Colorado Boulder)

If you spend your day in email, Slack, or reports, this is one of the best examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills for the workplace.

Course: Business Writing – University of Colorado Boulder on Coursera
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Format: Short video lessons, quizzes, peer-reviewed assignments
Good for: Professionals, managers, job seekers

This course focuses on:

• Writing clear, concise emails and memos
• Structuring reports and proposals
• Cutting fluff and jargon
• Writing for busy readers who skim

Real example of how you might use it:

Imagine you’re a project manager who keeps getting, “Can you clarify?” replies to your emails. In one module, you learn to put the main point in the first sentence, use bullet points for key tasks, and cut filler phrases like “I am writing to inform you that…” After a few weeks, your messages get faster responses and fewer misunderstandings.

Coursera also lets you audit the course for free (no certificate), which makes it a low-risk way to test whether online learning works for you. You can explore Coursera’s broader writing offerings here: https://www.coursera.org.

This course is a strong example of how a focused, practical class can quickly improve everyday writing skills.

2. Academic Writing for College and Grad School: “College Writing 2.2x” (UC Berkeley, edX)

If you’re in college, grad school, or planning to apply, you need more than “sound smart.” You need structure, clarity, and evidence. That’s where this course shines.

Course: College Writing 2.2x – Principles of Written English (University of California, Berkeley) on edX
Level: Intermediate
Format: Lectures, reading assignments, peer review
Good for: College students, grad students, international students writing in English

This is one of the strongest examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills if your main goal is academic writing. It covers:

• Building a clear thesis statement
• Organizing paragraphs logically
• Using evidence and citations correctly
• Editing for grammar and style

Real example of impact:

Say you’re writing a research paper and your professor keeps commenting, “Unclear argument” or “Weak structure.” In this course, you practice turning a messy idea into a focused thesis, then outlining supporting points. You also learn to revise your own work using checklists instead of just “reading it again and hoping it sounds better.”

If you want to see how top universities think about writing, you can also browse writing and composition resources at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education: https://www.extension.harvard.edu.

As an example of a structured academic writing course, this one gives you the kind of foundation many students wish they’d had in high school.

3. Writing for the Web and Content Marketing: “Content Writing Mastery” (Udemy)

If you’re dreaming about blogging, freelancing, or writing for brands, you need different skills than academic or business writing. You need to hold attention, write for search engines, and sound like a human—not a robot.

Course: Content Writing Mastery: Create Content That Sells (Udemy)
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Format: Video lessons, templates, writing exercises
Good for: Bloggers, freelancers, marketing professionals, small business owners

This course is a modern example of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills specifically for digital content. It typically covers:

• Writing blog posts people actually finish
• Basic SEO (search engine optimization) for writers
• Crafting headlines and hooks
• Writing landing pages, social content, and email copy

Real example:

You’re a solo business owner trying to write your own website. Right now your homepage says something vague like “We provide high-quality solutions for all your needs.” In the course, you learn to swap that for a clear, benefit-driven line like, “We help busy parents get healthy, 20-minute dinners on the table—without meal planning stress.” That’s content writing in action.

If you want to pair this with broader digital skills, you can also look at digital literacy and online learning resources from the U.S. Department of Education: https://www.ed.gov.

As an example of a practical, market-focused writing course, it’s great if you want your words to lead to clicks, sign-ups, or sales.

4. Creative Storytelling: “Creative Writing Specialization” (Wesleyan University, Coursera)

Not all writing is about reports and emails. Maybe you want to write short stories, a novel, or just learn to tell better stories in general. This is where the Wesleyan creative writing track comes in.

Course: Creative Writing Specialization – Wesleyan University on Coursera
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Format: Multiple courses (plot, character, setting), peer feedback, capstone project
Good for: Aspiring fiction writers, hobby writers, storytellers

This specialization is one of the best examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills if creativity is your main goal. It walks you through:

• Building believable characters
• Designing plots that keep readers turning pages
• Writing dialogue that doesn’t feel stiff
• Revising your work based on feedback

Real example of how it helps:

You’ve started a short story five times and keep getting stuck. In the plot module, you learn about conflict, stakes, and pacing. You realize your story has a setting and characters, but no real problem for them to solve. After revising with that in mind, your story suddenly has momentum.

While this course is not about publishing, it gives you the foundation to join writing groups, submit to magazines, or simply enjoy a more satisfying writing hobby.

5. General Writing Skills for Everyday Life: “English Composition I” (Duke University, Coursera)

Let’s say you don’t need something super specialized yet. You just want to write better—period. Emails, essays, social posts, maybe a blog. You want a solid foundation.

Course: English Composition I – Duke University on Coursera
Level: Beginner
Format: Video lectures, readings, peer-reviewed writing assignments
Good for: Adults returning to school, professionals, anyone rusty on writing basics

This course is a classic example of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills for general purposes. It focuses on:

• Understanding audience and purpose
• Structuring clear paragraphs and essays
• Developing and supporting an argument
• Revising and editing your own work

Real example:

You’re applying for a promotion and need to write a personal statement. In this course, you practice outlining, drafting, and revising essays. You learn to open with a specific story instead of a generic statement like, “I have always been passionate about leadership.” That makes your writing stand out.

Duke’s approach mirrors what many U.S. colleges expect from first-year students, so it’s also great prep if you’re heading back to school.

Beyond the Big 5: Other Strong Examples to Explore

The examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills above cover most needs, but if you want even more targeted options, here are additional examples include:

• Technical Writing: Google’s Technical Writing courses (free) help software engineers and technical professionals explain complex ideas clearly.
• Writing in the Sciences: Stanford University’s “Writing in the Sciences” on Coursera is excellent if you work in health, research, or STEM and need to write papers or reports.
• Health and Medical Writing: While not a writing course, resources from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show how experts explain complex topics in plain language: https://www.nih.gov. Studying their style can seriously sharpen your clarity.

These are not part of the main five, but they’re helpful real examples of how specialized writing courses can match specific careers.

How to Choose Among These Examples of 5 Online Courses to Improve Your Writing Skills

Seeing a list is one thing. Choosing where to start is another. Here’s a simple way to decide.

If you write mostly at work

Look at Business Writing (University of Colorado Boulder) or a similar professional writing course on Coursera. Scan the syllabus for modules on emails, reports, and presentations. That’s your best fit.

If you’re in school or planning to be

Go for College Writing 2.2x (UC Berkeley on edX) or English Composition I (Duke on Coursera). These are classic examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills for academic success.

If you want to blog, freelance, or write for the web

Choose a content writing or copywriting course like Content Writing Mastery (Udemy). Look for lessons on SEO, headlines, and blog post structure.

If you want to tell stories

Pick the Creative Writing Specialization (Wesleyan on Coursera). You’ll actually write stories and get feedback, which matters more than just watching videos.

How to Get the Most Out of Any Writing Course

Finding good examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills is only half the battle. The other half is how you use them.

Here’s a simple plan that works with almost any course:

1. Set one clear goal

Instead of “get better at writing,” try:

• “Write clearer emails so I get fewer follow-up questions.”
• “Finish a 1,500-word short story.”
• “Write three blog posts for my portfolio.”

This helps you pick assignments and modules that matter most.

2. Write every week (even small pieces)

You don’t need hours every day. Even 20–30 minutes twice a week is enough to:

• Complete a short exercise
• Revise a paragraph
• Try a new technique from the lesson

Consistency beats intensity.

3. Use feedback wisely

Many of these courses use peer review. Some peers will be helpful; some won’t. Look for patterns:

• If three people say your intro is confusing, it probably is.
• If one person hates your style but others like it, that’s taste.

Take what helps your clarity and purpose, and ignore the rest.

4. Study good examples

Don’t just write—read. For non-fiction, look at:

• Articles from major newspapers and magazines
• Plain-language health resources from sites like https://www.mayoclinic.org, which are models of clear explanation

Ask yourself: How do they open? How do they organize ideas? How do they end?

5. Revisit the course later

The best examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills are ones you can return to. A year from now, you’ll notice different things and get more out of the same lessons.

FAQ: Examples of Online Courses to Improve Your Writing Skills

What are some real examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills?

Real examples include:

• Business Writing – University of Colorado Boulder (Coursera)
• College Writing 2.2x – UC Berkeley (edX)
• Content Writing Mastery – Udemy
• Creative Writing Specialization – Wesleyan University (Coursera)
• English Composition I – Duke University (Coursera)

These cover business, academic, content, creative, and general writing.

Which example of an online writing course is best for beginners?

For beginners, English Composition I (Duke) or Business Writing (University of Colorado Boulder) are great starting points. They assume you know basic English but want clearer, more organized writing. If you’re more interested in storytelling, the Creative Writing Specialization is an excellent beginner-friendly example.

Are free examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills available?

Yes. Many platforms offer free audit options, where you can watch the lessons without paying for a certificate. Coursera and edX do this for several of the courses mentioned. Google’s Technical Writing courses are also free and are a good example of high-quality training without a price tag.

How long does it take to see improvement from these courses?

If you actively do the assignments, most people notice improvements within 3–6 weeks—shorter emails, clearer paragraphs, stronger openings. The more you practice outside the course (emails, journal entries, blog posts), the faster you’ll see results.

Can these examples of online courses help non-native English speakers?

Yes. Many of these courses are designed with international students in mind. Academic and composition courses, in particular, spend time on structure, clarity, and grammar. If English is not your first language, look for courses that mention ESL or international learners in their descriptions.

You don’t need a degree in literature to become a better writer. You just need the right kind of practice, guided by people who know what they’re doing. Use these examples of 5 online courses to improve your writing skills as a starting point, pick the one that fits your life right now, and commit to finishing it.

Your future self—the one who writes clear emails, strong essays, or gripping stories—will be very glad you did.