Best Free Online Writing Courses For New Writers

Many people find that deep inside of them, there is a writer just waiting to come out. However, these same individuals never cultivate this potential skill. Perhaps its lack of confidence, the inability to get started, or insufficient training. Other individuals are fairly proficient when it comes to writing but want to learn better skills to take their work up a notch.

Whether you are looking to write better emails, start a novel, create a blog, or learn how to write for the web, there are free courses available for all that and more. We've compiled an extensive list of some of the best free online writing courses that covers all levels of learning.

Featured Programs

Writing the Sciences
Perfect Tenses and Modals
Academic English: Writing Specialization

Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.

It wasn't hard to find dozens of options. The trick was to nail them down to find the top choices. Using a specific methodology we developed, we were able to uncover the true gems to bring you this comprehensive list of offerings. The courses are listed in descending order, with our favorites at the top, however, each of these free online writing courses has some things that make them unique.

Ranking 25 Free Online Courses for Writing

1. Media Writing and Editing

Offered by the Ohio State University via Canvas

This excellent self-paced course offered by the Ohio State University through the Canvas platform is comprehensive, thorough, and ideal for students who are looking for an overview of what it takes to be a newsroom reporter. It is taught by Nicole Kraft, assistant professor and journalist for the Associated Press and the Columbus Dispatch.

The Canvas platform offers a second-to-none user experience, with a simple sign-up process and clear instructions. Once you have created your user name and password, you can sign in and start the class immediately. There are 11 modules, including a final class project where you will write an actual news story that would be of interest to a particular community group.

The free writing online course is a completely open MOOC, and the time for completion will vary depending upon your level of commitment. As you go through each module, you will participate in readings, lectures, discussions, and exercises to help you learn. A list of resources is also provided, as well as a board to interact with fellow students.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: Varies

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Perfect introduction to newsroom journalism

• Excellent user interface

• World-class instruction

Cons:

• None

2. How to Do a Literature Review

Offered by The University of Wollongong via FutureLearn

This course is designed for research students in any discipline to help them develop the necessary skills to write a critical review of academic literature. The free online writing course walks you through this complex process step-by-step as you plan, draft, and refine your chosen topic.

By the end of the free online writing course, students should be able to:

● Explore and identify the different types of literature reviews

● Develop annotated bibliographies

● Develop questions that will drive any literature review

● Collaborate with other research writers

● Improve their research skills

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: Four weeks

Curriculum: Introductory to Intermediate

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Ideal for learning step-by-step how to write a research paper

• Outstanding user experience

• Optional certificate with paid version

Cons:

• Certificate of completion requires the paid version of Future Learn

3. Writing in the Sciences

Offered by Stanford via Coursera

This free online writing course through the Coursera platform is presented by Stanford University and has been utilized by over 100,000 students already. There are eight units altogether, with several video lectures to teach scientists how to become better writers. Using examples paired with practical exercises, students will learn the fundamentals of good writing as well as:

● How to write quicker and more efficiently with less stress

● Formatting scientific manuscripts

● Peer review

● Grant writing

● Scientific publication

● Writing for general audiences

The course is taught by top instructor Doctor Kristin Sainani and takes approximately eight weeks to complete. Upon completion, students can opt to purchase a certificate that can be displayed on their CV, LinkedIn pages, or resume', but this is optional.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: 25 hours

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Interactive and easy-to-use platform

• Taught by a well-known associate professor at Stanford

• Subtitled in English and Arabic

Cons:

• Students who want a certificate of completion will need to pay a fee

4. Perfect Tenses and Modals

Offered by University of California, Irvine via Coursera

Over 60,000 students have enrolled in this University of California course, which teaches students the most important intermediate verb tenses like present perfect, past perfect, present perfect progressive, and past perfect progressive. Students will also learn the most common modal verbs used in English.

The free online course in writing is designed to help those who already have a good grasp of basic grammar to improve their speaking and writing skills for both everyday communication and academics. It is fun and engaging with lots of entertaining video lectures and is taught by three experienced UCI instructors.

As with all Coursera courses, students can add a certificate of completion at the end of the course for a nominal fee, but this is optional.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: 19 hours

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Interesting and practical

• Subtitled in English, Vietnamese, and Arabic

• Excellent user interface

Cons:

• Certification is only offered at the paid level of Coursera

5. Academic English: Writing Specialization

Offered by University of California, Irvine via Coursera

This specialization offered through UCI actually consists of four courses including:

• Grammar and Punctuation

• Getting Started with Essay Writing

• Advanced Writing

• Introduction to Research For Essay Writing

With the paid version of the course, students also can participate in a final capstone project writing a graded research paper, as well as receive a certificate for the specialization. However, all of the courses can be completed in audit mode at no cost.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: Three months

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Taught by three experienced UCI instructors

• Subtitled in 10 different languages

• Perfect for anyone who wants to learn to write better research papers

Cons:

• Graded projects and certificate only available at the paid level of the program

6. Academic and Business Writing

Offered by University of California Berkeley via edX

While this introductory course in academic and business writing is geared toward English language learners, it can be helpful for anyone who wants a better grasp on structure, grammar, vocabulary, publication, and editing. The edX platform offers some of the best free online writing courses you can find, and this offering from Berkeley ranks as one of their top choices.

The course is five weeks long and focuses on understanding the different styles of writing as well as revision and editing your work—whether it is for business or academic purposes. There are readings, videos, quizzes, writing assignments, and essays throughout the course, which is entirely free. Students who would like a certificate of completion to share on their website, LinkedIn profile, or CV can opt to purchase one at the end for $49, but it is not mandatory.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: Five weeks

Curriculum: Introductory to intermediate

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Taught by Maggie Sokolik, Director of College Writing Programs at Berkeley

• Go at your own pace

• Completely free course from a well-known university

Cons:

• Certificates of completion are not offered at the free level

7. Academic Writing for Clarity and Meaning

Offered by Wits University via edX

This short, two-week course focusing on academic writing will teach students how to express complex ideas in a clear and meaningful way to their readership. The first week covers how to structure your writing, with an overview of abstract patterns, the importance of a golden thread, and the principles of drafting a research report.

During the second week of this free online writing course, students will work on sentence and paragraph construction as they learn how to write in ways that are engaging to readers.

A verified certificate is available for $49, but it is not a requirement.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: Two weeks

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Taught by three prominent Wits University Instructors

• Short but informative

• Excellent user interface

Cons:

• Certificates only offered for an additional fee

8. Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature

Offered by Harvard University via edX

This six-week course presented by two distinguished Harvard professors is for students who are less interested in the practical applications of writing and more interested in its theory and history. It is a fascinating free online writing course that can be taken at your own pace and covers the history of world literature as well as how to analyze literary works. You will also learn about the impact technological advances have had on writing as a whole.

If you need a certificate, you have the option to purchase a shareable one for a fee. However, it is not obligatory.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with fee

Time to Complete: Six weeks

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Offers an opportunity to take literature through an ivy-league college

• Great for those who want to look at writing from a historical perspective

• No paid trials or memberships

Cons:

• You will need to pay to obtain a shareable certificate

9. Write Your First Novel

Offered by Michigan State University via Coursera

If you are someone who has a whole novel in your head just waiting to come alive on the page, this is the ideal introductory course for you. Taught by David Wheeler, the Director of Media Sandbox at Michigan State University, you can view a trailer of the free online writing course here.

Upon completion, you will gain the ability to write a 50,000-word novel, complete with a finished manuscript. The course is approximately 26 weeks long and it is suggested that you spend at least five hours a week on the writing portion.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: 70 hours

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• No experience necessary

• Excellent instruction from a published author

• Perfect for those who need a jumpstart to write their first book

Cons:

• Certification is only available through the paid version of Coursera

10. Business Writing

Offered by University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera

Over 70 businesses and 20,000 students have used the materials in this course to do everything from launch their ideas to improve their business communication. Aimed toward any student who wants to dramatically improve their business writing skills, this 13-hour course is filled with practical ways to do so. You will learn:

• How to use simple tools to improve your writing

• How to apply the top ten principles of good writing to your work

• How to execute structure, organization, and revision to make your message more effective than ever before

The free online course in writing also provides a great foundation for moving forward into presentation and graphic design.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: Four weeks

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Easy to follow

• Taught by an English Instructor at the University of Colorado, Boulder

• Part of a communication specialization

Cons:

• Certification and grading is only available at the paid level

11. Storytelling in the Workplace

Offered by Rochester Institute of Technology via edX

Storytelling has become a major buzzword in the writing industry over the past couple of years, but what does it really mean? Quite simply, it involves the narratives that we bring to emails, presentations, proposals, product launches, and other forms of communication within an organization.

Effective storytelling is a skill that can make the difference between a mediocre message and one that is highly tailored to a specific audience. In this free online writing course, you will learn:

• The elements of effective storytelling and how to use them in your organization

• How to tailor your message to a targeted audience

• How to structure your written communication for the maximum impact

• How to use different platforms to convey specific messages differently within a professional setting

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with fee

Time to Complete: Three weeks

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Taught by an associate professor at RIT

• Excellent user interface

• Part of a professional certificate in soft skills

Cons:

• You will need to pay to obtain a shareable certificate or participate in graded projects

12. Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

Offered by Wesleyan University via Coursera

This is course one out of five in a creative writing specialization and it introduces students to one of the most challenging aspects of storytelling: Crafting the plot. You will learn how to plot a course, structure the events of your story, build scenes, and edit and revise your work.

For a fee, students can also earn a certificate in the course and participate in any projects or capstone assignments given by the instructor. The certificate can be shared on social media, your resume, or CV. However, it is not necessary to pay to access the lectures and course materials.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with fee

Time to Complete: Varies

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Work at your own pace

• Taught by a top Coursera Instructor

• Over 100,000 students have enrolled in the course

Cons:

• Certificate only available with the paid version of Coursera

13. Grammar: Usage and Style

Offered by Khan Academy

While Khan Academy is a platform generally reserved for K-12 students, there is a bit of advanced learning on the site for all ages. Writers who need a refresher on commonly confused words and phrases will find this course short, sweet, and helpful.

The free online writing class covers frequently confused words such as affect and effect, their, there, and they're, and others that most people struggle with in daily writing tasks. It also covers common expressions, alliteration, irony, and more. Along the way, you will complete practice exercises and quizzes to self-test your knowledge.

Khan Academy is an ideal place to learn about basic grammar and writing, especially if you learn best in a sequential, classroom-style manner. It's completely free and there are hundreds of other classes to explore as well.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: Varies

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Hands-on and interactive

• Great for all ages

• Ideal for beginners

Cons:

• May be too basic for some students

14. Craft Your Cover Letter

Offered by Udacity

This free course online in writing is short but could make a huge difference when you are looking to land your dream job. In it, you will learn how to craft your applications and CV to specific career opportunities, write an introduction, body, and conclusion, and learn the importance of a CV. You will target your pitch and story so that is custom-made for your intended audience, giving you the best possible chance of getting hired.

The mission at Udacity is to help power careers through education, and their robust platform can help you achieve some of your own goals.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: One day

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Good

Quality of Instruction: Good

Pros:

• Excellent course for those who need help writing the perfect CV

• Easy-to-use platform

• Other career resources available

Cons:

• None

15. Copywriting Quick Start: Top FREE Writing Tools & Hacks

Offered by Udemy

Udemy's learning platform offers a wealth of paid writing courses, however, they also provide some exceptional short free classes on the subject. This 36 minute class on tools for copywriters is one of them. Created by professional writer and blogger Tyler Speegle, the class covers:

• How to generate new blog ideas

• How to create eye-catching headlines

• How to find the perfect word in any situation

• How to write persuasive copy for marketing

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: 36 minutes

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Good

Quality of Instruction: Good

Pros:

• Ideal for those who want to learn more about effective copywriting

• Short, but informative

• Taught by an industry leader

Cons:

• Not comprehensive enough to be considered a whole course

16. Make Your Writing Stand Out in 8 Easy Steps

Offered by Udemy

In this free three-hour course, you will learn how to be a more effective writer and further hone your craft by learning practical, actionable, skills like:

• Effective word usage, economy, word order, and sentence flow

• Using proactive sentence structure

• Crafting intros, conclusions, paragraphs and variety

• Planning your purpose for maximum effect

• Convincing your audience through logic and strong presentation

• Learning the habits and attitudes that will give you an edge

Udemy's online learning platform offers users the opportunity to take classes right from their computer or smartphone using high-quality on-demand video that is engaging and informative.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: Three hours

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Good

Quality of Instruction: Good

Pros:

• Taken by over 32,000 students

• Access on mobile

• Taught by an exceptional and easy-to understand instructor

Cons:

• Too short

17. Copywriting: Fundamentals for Beginners

Offered by Udemy

In this two-hour free online copywriting course, students will learn the basics of copywriting, what it means to be a copywriter, why it is so vital in marketing and sales, and how to start a copywriting career from scratch. Taught by industry expert Mason Komay, the free online writing course is intended for writers who are interested in breaking into this genre and is an excellent introduction to a new career path.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: Two hours

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Good

Quality of Instruction: Good

Pros:

• 4.5 out of a five-star rating

• Access on mobile

• Excellent user interface

Cons:

• Too brief

18. Learn How to Write Blog Posts That Earn Real Passive Income

Offered by Udemy

In this two-hour on-demand video course, there are seven sections and 25 lectures intended to guide students through the process of creating revenue-generating blog posts. Taught by successful entrepreneur David Lee, you will learn:

• How to write blog posts that generate a following

• Keywords that are specific to your target audience and how to center blog posts around these keywords

• How to write posts that people want to read and that will generate a following

• How to turn your traffic into paying customers

• How bloggers make money by writing

• How to structure posts that are user-friendly

• The best formats to use

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: Three hours

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Good

Quality of Instruction: Good

Pros:

• 4.5 out of a five-star rating

• Access on mobile

• Excellent intro to blogging

Cons:

• Too short

19. Finishing a Manuscript in 60 Days

Offered by Udemy

Learn with top Amazon author J Thorne as you learn how to finish up the first draft of your novel in 60 days using key project management techniques. Using a customized workbook, you will keep track of your plot, character, and word count. You will identify how to determine the right length for publication and organize your manuscript into three acts. The free online course in writing ends by teaching you the next steps in the publication process, including formatting, editing, and designing your cover.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: Two hours

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Good

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• 4.5 out of a five-star rating

• Access on mobile

• Perfect for beginners

Cons:

• Not long enough

20. Secret Sauce of Great Writing

Offered by Udemy

This one hour lecture is taught by ex-Wall Street Journal Editor Shani Raja and will introduce students to the four ingredients of good writing: elegance, clarity, simplicity, and evocativeness. The free online writing course will help you to become more skillful at your craft so that your work begins to stand out against others in your profession. By the end of the course, you will be able to recognize weaknesses in your writing and take steps to dramatically improve them.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: One hour

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Good

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Highly rated

• Quick and to the point

• Taught by an industry expert

Cons:

• Too short

21. Writing for Online Engagement: Fiction in a Digital World

Offered by Skillshare

Wattpad's Rebecca Sky walks users through this 11-lesson free course intended to teach students the basic frameworks, strategies, and techniques for digital writing. The short lessons cover the current writing landscape, how to serialize your fiction, and how to market your work and build your own brand. Students will also have the opportunity to share their own story, cover, and blurb as well as read other students' work.

The Skillshare platform has some of the best free online courses in writing available, and they are presented in a user-friendly format in a very easy-to-use interface as you follow along with each lesson sequentially. The platform's paywall takes the form of a free trial; however, you do not need to give your credit card information to participate in the site's free offerings. It's worth noting, however, that the monthly membership is fairly low and many users might find it worth the minimal cost to take advantage of the platform's more robust coursework.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: One hour

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Good

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Taught by an industry respected instructor

• Excellent user interface

• Well-reviewed

Cons:

• Students find the class too short, leaving them wanting more

22. Beginners Creative Writing Class (Short Story)

Offered by Skillshare

Hannah and Alecz walk students through the process of creating their own short story in this lighthearted and engaging creative writing class offered on Skillshare. There are 10 short lessons that take just a little over an hour to get through. They include how to introduce your story and characters, how to use dialect and dialogue, and how to end your story. The free online writing class also covers some basic grammar and punctuation to make sure your writing is smooth and error-free.

Cost: Free

Certificate: No

Time to Complete: One hour

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Good

Quality of Instruction: Good

Pros:

• Perfect for beginners who just want a starting point for writing short stories

• Excellent user interface

• Short and concise

Cons:

• Some students find the class too basic

23. Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop

Offered by CalArts via Coursera

This Coursera offering is for a 13-hour poetry course designed to take your poetry from good to great. Taught by Douglas Kearny, assistant professor at CalArts, the free online writing course takes you through six weeks of lessons that include videos, quizzes, and readings and encompasses both theoretic and practical aspects of poetry you may not have thought of before. It will certainly get the creative juices flowing! If you opt for the paid version of the course, you will have a final peer-reviewed project to complete. Otherwise, you can simply assess your work on your own to see how far you've come.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: Six weeks

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• A fun and engaging class for those interested in poetry

• Opportunity to take say you took a class at CalArts

• Excellent instruction

Cons:

• The peer-reviewed portion of the class can only be accessed in Coursera's paid version.

24.Learing to Write for the Web

Offered by LinkedIn Learning

If you are already a premium LinkedIn member, you might not have realized you can access hundreds of industry-recognized courses for free, including some exceptional free online writing courses. This one, taught by UX consultant Chris Nodder, teaches students the fundamentals of writing digital copy.

The free online writing course shows users how to write for the fast-moving pace of an online audience, who scans in short bursts rather than reads whole paragraphs. And it will teach students about writing for an eighth-grade audience, front-loading your content, and removing salesy-type language. It will conclude with an overview of how to manage the content once it's out there.

Cost: Free to LinkedIn Premium members Try a free trial for Linkedin Learning.

Certificate: Yes, shareable badge

Time to Complete: 1.5 hours

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Great class for those who are already premium LinkedIn members

• Excellent User Interface

• Shareable badge awarded

Cons:

• Students without premium LinkedIn accounts will have to pay for the course outright or subscribe to a monthly membership.

25. An Introduction to Screenwriting

Offered by University of East Anglia via FutureLearn

FutureLearn works like Coursera in that all of the courses are free to take in the audit mode, and extra benefits are fee-based. This screenwriting course is ideal for those who are new to screenwriting as well as more experienced writers who want to improve their craft. The free online course in writing combines basic theory and analysis with practical exercises to give students a well-rounded experience. There are videos, readings, and the chance to engage with other learners on the platform.

Future Learn Courses start and end at set times, however, students are permitted to jump in wherever they want and "catch up" or wait for the next session to begin. If you would like to receive a digital and print certificate of completion, you can upgrade to the paid level of the program.

Cost: Free

Certificate: Yes, with a fee

Time to Complete: Six hours

Curriculum: Introductory

User Experience: Excellent

Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Pros:

• Perfect for those who want to explore screenwriting

• Taught by Screenwriter Michael Lengsfield

• Optional certificate with paid version

Cons:

• Students have to wait for certain dates if they want to be on schedule with the rest of their peers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Writing Courses

Writing is a skill that most people need to navigate through life, which is why every student begins to learn it in the earliest grades. However, writing well is an art that not everyone masters. With so many options for free online writing classes like the ones we listed above, you probably find yourself with some questions as well. Here, we will try to answer them.

Who Should Take Free Online Writing Courses?

Virtually anyone can benefit from taking an online writing course, and there are as many types and styles of writing as there are individual reasons for learning. Students who want to improve their study skills and write better papers can benefit, as can business professionals who want to make their correspondence sound more polished. Other potential candidates for free writing courses include:

• Authors who want to improve their skills

• Sales and marketing personnel who are looking to create more compelling copy

• Homeschoolers

• Bloggers

• Senior Citizens

• High school students

• Teachers

What Are the Requirements and Prerequisites?

There are typically no prerequisites when it comes to taking an online writing course. An ability to read and write in the language of the course is usually the only requirement. You should have a desire and an interest in the subject matter and come at your coursework with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Will I Earn College Credits by Taking an MOOC?

Most free online courses in writing do not offer college credits. However, some provide industry-recognized certifications for a moderate fee. If you are already enrolled in college, you should check with your school to see if they might award you credit for the class(es) you are considering.

How Long Do Free Online Writing Courses Take?

The length of each course will vary. Some take only a few hours while others require a commitment of a few weeks to a few months. The time for completion will depend upon your schedule. Since most online free courses are self-paced, you may find yourself finishing them quicker or slower than the average time suggested. As long as you are comfortable with your progress, you can work classes around your other obligations.

Are Free Online Courses Graded?

Most of the free online writing courses we've mentioned are not graded. Instead, you may have quizzes or exams to assess your progress as you go along. Graded components of these courses are usually found behind an optional paywall if you choose to pay a fee.

Which Free Writing Course Should I Take?

The course you choose will depend upon your personal goals. Do you want to become a master blogger or are you just learning to improve your essay skills? Do you dream of publishing your first book or making a living as a copywriter?

Once you know why you want to take online writing classes, carefully read through the list and make a note of any courses that interest you. Click on the link and go check out the course syllabus and reviews from other students. Look at the material that will be covered in further detail and find out which classes are right for you.

Remember, too, that you can always change your mind. There is no rule saying you need to complete a class once you have started it. If you find it does not hold your interest, feel free to move on to another course that is more interesting or applicable to your particular line of work.

What is a Paywall? I Thought My Class Was Free.

Many MOOCs have paid enrollment options in addition to their free versions. This means that although you can audit each class in free mode, certain aspects such as certificates of completion or graded assignments may only be accessed with a fee. For example, you may have the option of signing up for a two-month trial or a yearly membership, giving you unlimited access.

Rest assured that in all of the classes listed, you have the option of taking the course at no charge. If you want to access some of the benefits of a course's paid components, some platforms offer scholarships and financial aid for those who cannot afford to pay.

Are Free Online Writing Courses Worth It?

There is no doubt that most people can benefit from taking a free writing course online, whether it is a two-hour refresher in grammar skills or a four-month course in creative writing. There really is no harm in becoming a better writer.

If you are self-motivated, taking free online courses can open the door to a new career or improve your marketable skills. Skilled writers are always in demand, with plenty of industries hiring those who have a talent for words. Freelance writers are also in demand as companies continue to move from offices to remote teams of creative entrepreneurs.

Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.

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