Free Online Writing Seminars from Top Universities

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MIT and Open University offer free online writing seminars. Areas of study include Western culture, literary theory, visual arts, grammar, prose fiction, and more.
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Free Writing Seminars

Writing seminars offer students the opportunity to explore literary theory and thought. With courses that cover essays, grammar, and literature, individuals can gain a free online education in writing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The creative spark course offers a survey of creativity in Western culture. Students will read literature, watch films and write essays to explore the topic thoroughly. For the intro to literary theory course, students learn different ways to read and interact with literary texts.

Intro to literary criticism features the theory, history and practice of literary criticism. In the advanced writing seminar, students learn about the writing types used in professional settings. The interdisciplinary seminar explores various written and visual tools. Students try to discover and express themselves via the use of different types of media.

The advanced essay writing workshop is designed for students who already have advanced writing skills. Students read nonfiction prose and practice their own writing. The science essay writing course focuses on essays about technology and science. Students read works by other authors and create their own scientific essays.

The literature course aims to give students insight into various works in ethical philosophy by writers, including Plato, Aristotle, Dante, Shakespeare, Melville, Dostoyevsky, Shaw and O'Connor, among others. Students in the 'Race and Identity' course examine class and race through the viewpoints of American artists. Students learn how to argue a literary case.

Open University

The word and image course is an investigation of the combination of text and visual material, which results in meaning. For the intro to prose fiction course, students learn how to study texts at the university level. Intro to the English language presents developments in the English language between the 15th and 19th century. The English grammar course explores the differences between spoken and written English. Areas of study include how vocabulary and grammar are used in writing and speaking. Students in the 'Am I Ready?' course have the opportunity to evaluate their English language skills. Self-assessment is apart of the course

Free Online Writing Seminars At a Glance

Course & School Program Level Format Assignments Quizzes & Exams Downloadable
The Creative Spark course from MIT Undergraduate Text Yes No Yes
Introduction to Literary Theory course from MIT Undergraduate Textbook Yes No Yes
Literary Interpretation: Literature and Photography: The Image course from MIT Undergraduate Texts Yes No Yes
Advanced Writing Seminar course from MIT Graduate Textbook/lecture notes Yes No Yes
Composing Your Life: Exploration of Self Through Visual Arts and Writing course from MIT Undergraduate Text Yes No Yes
Advanced Essay Workshop course from MIT Undergraduate Text Yes No Yes
The Science Essay course from MIT Undergraduate Text Yes No Yes
Literature and Ethical Values course from MIT Undergraduate Text Yes No Yes
Race and Identity in American Literature: Keepin' it Real Fake course from MIT Undergraduate Text Yes No Yes
Word and Image course from Open University Intermediate Text Yes No Yes
Approaching Prose Fiction course from Open University Intermediate Text Yes No Yes
Exploring the English Language course from Open University Intermediate Text Yes No Yes
English Grammar in Context course from Open University Advanced Text Yes No Yes
Am I Ready to Study in English? course from Open University Beginner Text Yes No Yes

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
    Bachelor's
      • B.A. in Professional Writing for New Media
      • Bachelor: Communications
      • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships
      • BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BS in Communication - Business Fundamentals
      • BS in Communication - Digital Communication
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Wake Forest University - School of Professional Studies

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Communications
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • PHD: Communication
      • PHD: English
    Master's
      • MA: Professional Writing
      • MA: Professional Writing: Research Administration & Sponsored Programs
      • MA: Communication
      • MFA: Creative Writing
      • MA: Strategic Communication: Corporate Communication
      • MA: Strategic Communication: Crisis Communication
    Certificate
      • GRAD CERT: Strategic Communication
      • GRAD CERT: Fundamentals of Communication
      • GRAD CERT: Applied Communication Studies
      • GRAD CERT: Communication Strategies for Social Enterprise
  • Online Programs Available
    5. UMass Global

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA in Communications & Media
  • Online Programs Available
    6. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • EdD - English Language Learning
      • PhD - English Language Learning
    Master's
      • MEd - English Language Learning
    Certificate
      • EdS - English Language Learning
  • University of Maryland Global Campus

  • Campus and Online Programs
    8. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Fine Arts - Creative Writing for Entertainment

Featured Schools

The schools and programs listed below are popular educational options, and tuition varies based on program and location

Grand Canyon University

  • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
  • B.A. in Professional Writing for New Media
  • Bachelor: Communications

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • BS in Communication - Business Fundamentals
  • BS in Communication - Digital Communication

Which subject are you interested in?

Wake Forest University - School of Professional Studies

  • Master of Communications

Which subject are you interested in?

Liberty University

  • PHD: Communication
  • MA: Professional Writing
  • GRAD CERT: Strategic Communication

What is your highest level of education?

UMass Global

  • BA in Communications & Media

Which subject are you interested in?

National University

  • EdD - English Language Learning
  • MEd - English Language Learning
  • EdS - English Language Learning

What is your highest level of education?

University of Maryland Global Campus

Full Sail University

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts - Creative Writing for Entertainment

What is your highest level of education?