* Instantly download, print, and share your CEU Certificate at course completion (additional shipping/handling charges apply for hard copy delivery).
UniversalClass™ offers many wonderful learning tools including an online portfolio service that manages all your course completions and CEUs.
Course Description
Most of us learned spelling and grammar in elementary school and brushed up on the rules occasionally in junior high or middle school. Once we entered high school, it was assumed we knew and remembered all of the essentials -- and slowly we discovered that although there were some rules we just had to look up, we simply stopped worrying about "the minor details." It's time to relearn those "minor details" that can help you write, and read more effectively. But it's hard to fix something unless you know how it works.
This self-paced, stress-free course was developed not only for students wanting to improve their basic writing skills, but also for business writers, creative writers and office staff wanting to improve poor work related writing and avoid embarrassing their boss and themselves.
Our innovative course is designed as a refresher course for those who need to brush up on their skills and a reference for anyone who wants to be able to look up the rules for confusing grammatical questions quickly and easily. After you've reviewed the basic rules of grammar and spelling, you can move on to the lessons on writing style for tips on improving your sentence and paragraph structure, how to polish your writing and how to avoid common errors.
And because the course is online doesn't mean that you'll be left on your own. The instructor will be grading assignments and tests and is available through email to answer questions and provide guidance. Why not join us, learn at your own pace and your own schedule and reap the benefits?
Learning Outcomes
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
Define the basic rules of spelling.
Recognize commonly misspelled words.
Demonstrate proper use of plural forms for names, compound words and numbers.
Recognize 'ie' versus 'ei' and other spelling dilemmas.
Define prefix and suffix rules.
Identify common prefixes and suffixes.
Define homonyms.
Identify subject and predicate and demonstrate using them properly.
Identify verb tenses and demonstrate using them properly.
Identify nouns and pronouns and demonstrate using them properly.
Identify adjectives and adverbs and demonstrate using them properly.
Identify the phrase and clause and use them correctly.
Identify and properly use periods, commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons, hyphens, and quotation marks.
Refine your sentence writing, identify types of paragraphs and form paragraphs correctly.
Demonstrate correct writing of dialogue.
Proofread and revise your writing, and
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Course Lessons
Lesson 1: Introduction
The introduction to this course will begin by first examining why proper grammar and spelling are important.
Lesson 2: The Basic Rules of Spelling
This lesson describes how to turn singular words to plural and the exceptions to the rule.
Lesson 3: Commonly Misspelled Words
This is a list of some of the most common and frequently misspelled words.
Lesson 4: Plural Forms for Names, Compound Words and Numbers
This lesson explains how to form plurals and some examples.
Lesson 5: Understanding "ie" Versus"ei" and Other Spelling Dilemmas
This lesson explains the basic explanation of when to use "ie" and "ei".
Lesson 6: Prefix and Suffix Rules
This lesson explains the basics of adding prefixes and suffixes and some exceptions to the rule.
Lesson 7: Common Prefixes and Suffixes
This lesson gives a list of the most common add-ons to root words and their meanings.
Lesson 8: Homonyms
This lesson lists some of the most commonly used words that sound alike but have totally different meanings.
Lesson 9: Subject and Predicate
This lesson defines what a subject and predicate are and how they are used in sentences.
Lesson 10: Verb Tenses
This lesson defines the different types of verb tenses from simple to future perfect progressive.
Lesson 11: Nouns and Pronouns
This lesson defines what a noun and pronoun are, the different types of pronouns and pronoun cases. Also, the correct usage of who/whom.
Lesson 12: Adjectives and Adverbs
This lesson explains the definitions of adjectives and adverbs and the different degrees for modifying them.
Lesson 13: The Phrase
This lesson describes the use of prepositions in forming sentences.
Lesson 14: The Clause
This lesson describes the difference between an independent clause and a subordinate clause and the proper usage of that/which.
Lesson 15: Periods and Other End Stops
This lesson describes when to use periods, exclamation marks and question marks.
Lesson 16: Commas
This lesson explains when and where commas are used in sentences.
Lesson 17: Apostrophes
This lesson covers the basic rules when adding an apostrophe and some exceptions.
Lesson 18: Colons and Semicolons
This lesson gives the basic rules for using colons and semicolons in a sentence.
Lesson 19: Hyphens
This lesson describes when and how to use hyphens and when they are essential.
Lesson 20: Quotation Marks
This lesson explains how to use quotation marks properly in text.
Lesson 21: Refining Your Sentences
This lesson explains how to use phrases and compound sentences to make your writing interesting.
Lesson 22: Paragraph Structure
This lesson explains proper paragraph structure with topic and concluding sentences.
Lesson 23: Types of Paragraphs
This lesson explains the difference between narrative and descriptive and expository paragraphs.
Lesson 24: Writing Dialogue
This lesson explains the importance of the structure and flow of dialogue.
Lesson 25: Proofreading and Revising Your Writing
We'll review proofreading and revising techniques to better improve your writing.
This is a non-credit course, and is provided for your personal enrichment.
This course is not intended to be a substitute for any state, government, licensing, certification or educational requirements.
Choose from 5 Secured Payment Methods
Credit Card Online
Credit Card through FAX
Check/Money Order through Mail
Credit Card over the Phone
PayPal
To use any of these methods you must press the "Join this Course" button on this screen and go through the online registration process in order to generate the correct order form and correctly process your enrollment. All financial information is secured and encrypted using Verisign-approved SSL during transmission.
($65.00) 'Creative Writing 101' is an attempt to capture what cannot be held in hand or thought--the elusive riddle of human creativity as we find it in our writing. more
($60.00) Have you ever been reading a newspaper or listening to a commentary and been confronted with a word you didn't know -- like for instance, plethora ?. more
($60.00) This self-paced online course will provide you with a review of the grammar and writing skills necessary when taking any high school or college test, or with your everyday work-related writing and correspondence. more
Other Related Classes in English Composition
Proofreading and Copyediting 101 Become a Skilled Proofreader or Copyeditor If you're looking for a new career path or if you're a writer who wants to improve your writing skills, learning how to proofread and copyedit with our easy to follow, in-depth course, may be just what you nee...
Gregg Shorthand 101 Gregg Shorthand is the most widely used system of its kind in the world. It is used by millions of professionals from all walks of life in nearly every country worldwide. This system of shorthand is the most efficient of any other type created, it is con...
ABC's of English Grammar This self-paced online course will provide you with a review of the grammar and writing skills necessary when taking any high school or college test, or with your everyday work-related writing and correspondence. Divided up into 15 easy-to-understand le...
Creative Writing 101 'Creative Writing 101' is an attempt to capture what cannot be held in hand or thought--the elusive riddle of human creativity as we find it in our writing. Here we look at various forms and genres (books, dramas and plays, poetry, essays, film-writing, ...
ESL Basic Grammar and Writing This ESL basic grammar and writing course will provide an introduction to the basics of American English grammar and writing. We'll be covering the following topics in detail: - review the basic English structure in the form of nouns, verbs, prepositi...
Enhance Your Everyday Vocabulary Have you ever been reading a newspaper or listening to a commentary and been confronted with a word you didn't know -- like for instance, plethora ? Over the years, you've seen and heard this word 20 times but you don't quite manage to remember the defi...
Punctuation and Grammar 101 Do you need a refresher course in basic punctuation and grammar? Is your business writing, school writing or personal writing a disaster and you're tired of stressing over mistakes? Improper grammar and punctuation is a sign for some people, right or w...
Business Writing Basics We live in world where communication is paramount to survival. In a work environment where communication is equated with the professionalism and efficiency of an individual, would you jeopardize your career because of bad writing? Do you want the embarra...
Novel Writing 101 From character and plot-conflict development to infusing a unique style and specialized writing techniques, the steps to writing a novel--while not utterly impossible--do require a dedicated, disciplined approach. By committing to the steps outlined ...
Writing Improvement 101 We know that effective writing will help students in their coursework but it's equally important to write well in the workplace. If a job interviewer is considering two qualified candidates, the candidate who can write well will have the edge. If you're ...
Spelling 101 Do you use your Spell Check on your computer obsessively? Are you afraid to write anything without a dictionary or computer spelling program? Are you receiving low grades on schoolwork because of poor spelling? Are your business emails filled with emba...
Essay Writing 101 Essays are a vital part of writing, both in academic circles and in many professions. Being able to write good essays is a rare ability and those that can demonstrate a mastery of this writing form will quickly distinguish themselves from those who write...
Speed Reading 101 Speed reading provides you with the tools and information you need to improve not only the speed that you read, but your comprehension and concentration as well. Speed reading will also provide you with effective tools that you can use when you're in a p...
Poetry Writing 101 This poetry course is created for the lover of poetry who wants to learn how to appreciate the art even more. It is also for student poets who want to improve their craft. This course is thorough in teaching all students everything they need to know abo...
How to Write a Grant Proposal Did you realize that you are most probably an experienced grant writer already? NO , you say, I've never written a grant in my life before -- but you have. Most people out there have asked somebody, at some time, for something in writing (one way ...
Creative Writing Workshop Do you dream of writing poetry, short stories, or novels? Have you ever watched a movie or a play and felt the desire to write a script of your own? Or have you already done some writing but want to find ways to bring more creativity, more originality, t...
English Composition 101 Acquiring and developing the fundamentals of English composition is a vital skill that can be used in a variety of settings and situations. Being able to competently compose an essay and organize a thesis is not only useful in academic environments, but ...
Advertising, Marketing and Sales Writing There you are, cold-calling yet another sales prospect. Your verbal pitch is pure gold; your prospect is attentive--interested--and seems ready to buy. But just as you're about to close the deal, you hear that eternal refrain: Send me something ...
ABC's of Technical Writing Technical writing is the art and science of translating technical information into readable, accessible writing usable by a wide audience. If you have ever read the user's manual for a piece of software or equipment you've purchased, you've seen technica...
Freelance Writing 101 If you have ever dreamed of being a freelance writer this course is for you. Get started today learning about this exciting field and in no time you can be on your way to earning a living, extra income, and more, by doing something that you love – ...
Resume Writing 101 One of the most important and intimidating steps in the job search process is writing a solid resume that gets the attention you want and need. Unfortunately, many job seekers get overwhelmed before they even get started. The result is poorly-written res...
Mystery Writing 101 This course is perfect for those who have an interest in either Creative Writing or the Mystery Genre . If you love to write and want to move into this popular genre, or you love to read a great mystery and have often thought you could do it, this cours...
Romance Writing 101 Writing a romance novel is the dream of many people all over the world. It's no wonder: as the most popular fiction genre in the United States for the past three decades, there are more opportunities in romantic fiction than ever before. What's uniq...
Nonfiction Writing 101 The famous Ayn Rand once wrote, Like every human activity, [writing] requires practice and knowledge. But there is nothing mystical about it. Any person who can speak English grammatically can learn to write nonfiction. This is as true today as when Ms. ...
Building Children's Reading Skills This course will provide the learner with a better understanding of the underlying concepts needed to improve the reading skills in children and adults. Through readings, lessons, quizzes and independent explorations, the learner will leave the course w...
Basic Research Skills Basic Research Skills teaches you how to determine what you need to know when you need to know it. With all of the information readily available today, it's difficult to deciper good information from bad information. Instead of turning to an Internet se...
Writing Effective Persuasion 101 Do you hear stirring speeches that inspire to go out and take to heart what the speaker was talking about? Do you wonder how some people can sell nearly anything simply by how they talk? If you do, then chances are you are wondering about being persuasiv...
Humor Writing 101 Humor Writing There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you. (Will Rogers) Laughing- the salve of the soul. When we feel at our lowest sometimes the only thing that can turn our mood around and lift ...
How to Teach Reading Fundamentals Reading is the process of absorbing the written word. Whether in English or another language, reading is an essential part of communication between human beings. Reading comprehension is the ability to process, think through and connect ideas that are ex...
Proofreading and Copyediting 201: Tips, Techniques, and Exercises We're excited to now provide an intermediate to advanced proofreading and copyediting course for students who have requested more in-depth information about these fields. This self-paced class is geared for those people with little or no experience in t...
Reading Comprehension 101 Whether you are a student who is seeking to pass the reading comprehension portion of such standardized tests as the SAT, ACT, CLEP, College Placement Test, ACCUPLACER, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, or GMAT, or you need to improve your reading comprehension for work ...
Travel Writing 101 Travel writing is a fun, interesting and fulfilling career. If your goal is to become a full-time travel writer who is able to live off your income from writing alone, it is important to understand that travel writing, like any other career, requires you...
Speed Writing 101 Speedwriting is for anyone out there who needs to write faster. You may be a student struggling frantically to make sense of the lectures that you attend, but your method of taking notes only seems to capture about one-third of the material that is prov...
Historical Fiction Writing 101 Writing historical fiction is quite simply writing a story that is set in the past. You will do research to create a correct and realistic setting, based upon facts. Historical fiction can even include real people. You are writing fiction, but it is so ...
Paranormal Romance Writing 101 Paranormal romance is all the rage lately. From books to movies, sexy vampires and gothic love stories are blazing up the bestseller lists and hitting the top of the box office. Paranormal romance falls under the umbrella term 'speculative fiction' whic...