Online Class: Writing Basics 101 — Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, Writing Structures

This self-paced, stress-free course is 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 skills in order to avoid embarrassing their employers and themselves.

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26

Lessons
70

Exams &
Assignments
21,076

Students
have taken this course
29

Hours
average time
2.9

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 is designed for students wanting to improve their basic writing skills as well as for business writers, creative writers and office staff wanting to improve poor work-related writing (and avoid embarrassing their bosses and themselves).

Our innovative course is designed as a refresher course for those who need to brush up on their skills and as 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.

Although this course is completely online, it 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 any questions and provide guidance. Why not join us, learn at your own pace and your own schedule and reap the benefits?

The Importance of Proper Grammar and Punctuation

Try reading a paragraph that has had all the punctuation removed and you'll soon realize just how crucial it is. Thoughts run up against each other, you aren't sure where one sentence or phrase begins and another one ends. Chaos reigns in the thoughts you had organized so carefully!

Good grammar and spelling also reflect on you personally. Consider a major term paper written by two students, one with poor grammar and another who is a stickler for the details. With the value and accuracy of the information being equal, any professor will grade the paper with poor grammar or spelling lower. Why? Because not only is it simply not correct, but it tells the professor that the writer didn't bother to take the time to make sure his work was the best it could be. Reading a paper that is poorly organized and difficult to understand because of grammar mistakes is also very frustrating for the reader, more time has to be spent on deciphering the intended meaning and less time is spent on appreciating it.

Even the most basic writing, like thank you notes and emails, can be sabotaged by just one grammatical error. In the business world, this can give clients the impression that you aren't careful. If your work is as sloppy as your writing, you aren't the person they want to do business with.

Finally, improper use of grammar and spelling is a sign, whether right or wrong, that you may be less educated or less intelligent than you actually are. Your writing reflects so much more about your personality, attention to detail, and focus than most people are aware of; this course will help you learn just what you need to polish your writing to perfection.

Completely Online
Self-Paced
6 Months to Complete
24/7 Availability
Start Anytime
PC & Mac Compatible
Android & iOS Friendly
Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:

"Extraordinarily Helpful"

(22,249 votes)

Lesson 1. Introduction

The introduction to this course will begin by first examining why proper grammar and spelling are important. Additional lesson topics: Spelling Rules; Complete English Punctuation Rules; Weird A Yankovic; Parts of Speech Lesson; Perfect English Grammar 1 Total Points

Lesson 1 Video
Review 2 Practice Worksheets
Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete: Introduction Assignment

Lesson 2. The Basic Rules of Spelling

This lesson describes how to turn singular words to plural and the exceptions to the rule. Additional lesson topics: 10 Tips to improve your spelling 10 Total Points

Lesson 2 Video
Review 5 Practice Worksheets
Lesson discussions: Personal Spelling Average
Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3. Commonly Misspelled Words

This is a list of some of the most common and frequently misspelled words. Additional lesson topics: Commonly confused words-; Commonly misspelled words 35 Total Points

Lesson 3 Video
Review 14 Practice Worksheets
Lesson discussions: Spelling Resources
Assessment: Spelling 3-1 Exercise
Assessment: Spelling 3-2 Exercise

Lesson 4. Plural Forms for Names, Compound Words, and Numbers

This lesson explains how to form plurals with some examples. Additional lesson topics: How to Form Plurals of Compound Nouns; How to Use Apostrophes Correctly 127 Total Points

Lesson 4 Video
Review 4 Practice Worksheets
Assessment: Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise B
Assessment: Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise C
Assessment: Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise D
Assessment: Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise F
Assessment: Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise G
Assessment: Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise H
Assessment: Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise A
Assessment: Lesson 4 Spelling Exercise E

Lesson 5. Understanding "ie" Versus"ei" and Other Spelling Dilemmas

This lesson presents the basic explanation of when to use "ie" and "ei". 145 Total Points

Lesson 5 Video
Review 5 Practice Worksheets
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise C
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise D
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise E
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise G
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise H
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise I
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise J
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise A
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise B
Assessment: Lesson 5 Spelling Exercise F

Lesson 6. Prefix and Suffix Rules

This lesson explains the basics of adding prefixes and suffixes including some exceptions to the rule. Additional lesson topics: Attaching Prefixes and Suffixes 82 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video
Review 5 Practice Worksheets
Assessment: Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise B
Assessment: Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise C
Assessment: Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise D
Assessment: Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise E
Assessment: Lesson 6 Spelling Exercise A

Lesson 7. Common Prefixes and Suffixes

This lesson gives a list of the most common add-ons to root words and their meanings. Additional lesson topics: Frequently asked questions about common spelling errors part 1 ; Test your proofreading and Spelling skills 40 Total Points

Lesson 7 Video
Assessment: Lesson 7 Spelling Exercise A
Assessment: Lesson 7 Spelling Exercise B

Lesson 8. Homonyms

This lesson lists some of the most commonly used words that sound alike but have totally different meanings. Additional lesson topics: Homophones/Homonyms; List of 200 Homonyms 56 Total Points

Lesson 8 Video
Review 6 Practice Worksheets
Assessment: Lesson 8 Spelling Exercise B
Assessment: Lesson 8 Spelling Exercise A
Assessment: Lesson 8 Spelling Exercise C
Assessment: Lesson 8 Spelling Exercise D

Lesson 9. Subject and Predicate

This lesson defines what a subject and predicate are and how they are used in sentences. Additional lesson topics: Subject and Predicate; Subject and Predicate; Subject/Verb Agreement; Subject/Predicate Exercises 20 Total Points

Lesson 9 Video
Review 5 Practice Worksheets
Lesson discussions: Rate Your Grammar Skills
Assessment: Spelling Test 9 - Subject-Verb Agreement
Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10. Verb Tenses

This lesson defines the different types of verb tenses from simple to future perfect progressive. Additional lesson topics: English Grammar -- Present Simple -- Structure 41 Total Points

Lesson 10 Video
Review 14 Practice Worksheets
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exercise: Simple Present Verb Tenses
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exercise: Irregular Verbs
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exercise: Find the Verb

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 and whom. 49 Total Points

Lesson 11 Video
Review 5 Practice Worksheets
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exercise: Find the Subject Noun
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exercise: Using the Correct Pronoun
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exercise: Correct Pronoun Use
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exercise: Pronoun Substitution

Lesson 12. Adjectives and Adverbs

This lesson explains the definitions of adjectives and adverbs and the different degrees for modifying them. Additional lesson topics: Additional Examples of Adjectives and Adverbs 42 Total Points

Lesson 12 Video
Review 7 Practice Worksheets
Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam
Assessment: Lesson 12 Exercise: Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Assessment: Lesson 12 Exercise: Identifying Adjectives and Adverbs

Lesson 13. The Phrase

This lesson describes the use of prepositions in forming sentences. Additional lesson topics: Grammar and Mechanics; Identifying Prepositional Phrases; Self-Test on Prepositional Phrases 34 Total Points

Lesson 13 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7110.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam
Assessment: Lesson 13 Exercise: Identify the Preposition

Lesson 14. The Clause

This lesson describes the difference between an independent clause and a subordinate clause and the proper usage of that and which. Additional lesson topics: Difference Between That and Which; Independent VS Dependent Clauses 11 Total Points

Lesson 14 Video
Review 2 Practice Worksheets
Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15. Periods and Other End Stops

This lesson describes when to use periods, exclamation marks, and question marks. Additional lesson topics: Periods and Other End Stops; The Proper Use Of The Period and Other End Marks 20 Total Points

Lesson 15 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-Grammar_Punctuation_Wk_2.pdf
Lesson discussions: Rate Your Punctuation Skills
Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam
Assessment: Lesson 15 Exercise: Sentence Punctuation

Lesson 16. Commas

This lesson explains when and where commas are used in sentences. Additional lesson topics: Comma Use Exercise 19 Total Points

Lesson 16 Video
Review 2 Practice Worksheets
Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam

Lesson 17. Apostrophes

This lesson covers the basic rules when adding an apostrophe and some exceptions. Additional lesson topics: Apostrophe Use Exercise; Apostrophe Rules 22 Total Points

Lesson 17 Video
Assessment: Lesson 17 Exam
Assessment: Lesson 17 Exercise: Using Apostrophes

Lesson 18. Colons and Semicolons

This lesson gives the basic rules for using colons and semicolons in a sentence. Additional lesson topics: Commas vs. semicolons exercises; Semicolon and Colon Rules 8 Total Points

Lesson 18 Video
Assessment: Lesson 18 Exam

Lesson 19. Hyphens

This lesson describes when and how to use hyphens and when they are essential. Additional lesson topics: Hyphens; How to use Hypens in Your Writing 19 Total Points

Lesson 19 Video
Assessment: Lesson 19 Exam
Assessment: Lesson 19 Exercise: Hyphen Usage

Lesson 20. Quotation Marks

This lesson explains how to use quotation marks properly in text. Additional lesson topics: Quotation mark exercises; Quotation Marks 8 Total Points

Lesson 20 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-GrammarPunctuation_Wk_1.pdf
Assessment: Lesson 20 Exam

Lesson 21. Refining Your Sentences

This lesson explains how to use phrases and compound sentences to make your writing interesting. Additional lesson topics: Compound Subjects, Verbs, and Sentences; The Several Most Common Grammar and Mechanical Errors 30 Total Points

Lesson 21 Video
Review 6 Practice Worksheets
Lesson discussions: Writing Expertise
Complete: Lesson 21 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 21.2 Assignment

Lesson 22. Paragraph Structure

This lesson explains proper paragraph structure with topic and concluding sentences. Additional lesson topics: Paragraph Writing: How to Write a Good Paragraph; Several Essay Writing Tips; Writing exercises for paragraph building 40 Total Points

Lesson 22 Video
Complete: Lesson 22.1 Assignment - Paragraph Writing
Complete: Lesson 22.2 Assignment - Paragraph Writing

Lesson 23. Types of Paragraphs

This lesson explains the difference between narrative and descriptive and expository paragraphs. Additional lesson topics: Paragraph Writing Exercise; Seven Types of Paragraphs 60 Total Points

Lesson 23 Video
Complete: Lesson 23 Assignment - Narrative Paragraph
Complete: Lesson 23.2 Assignment - Descriptive Paragraph
Complete: Lesson 23.3 Assignment

Lesson 24. Writing Dialogue

This lesson explains the importance of the structure and flow of dialogue. Additional lesson topics: Seven Keys to Writing Good Dialogue 20 Total Points

Lesson 24 Video
Complete: Lesson 24 Assignment - Dialogue Writing

Lesson 25. Proofreading and Revising Your Writing

We'll review proofreading and techniques for revising to better improve your writing. 35 Total Points

Lesson 25 Video
Review 3 Practice Worksheets
Lesson discussions: Editing
Complete: Lesson 25 Assignment
Complete: Final Assignment - Three Paragraph Essay

Lesson 26. Additional Grammar and Writing Resources

Additional grammar and writing resources 74 Total Points

Lesson discussions: What is your opinion of this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
Assessment: The Final Exam

1048

Total Course Points

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.
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online

View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Course Title: Writing Basics 101: Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, Writing Structures

Course Number: 7550406

Lessons Rating: 4.3 / 5 Stars (22,249 votes)

Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries

Category:

UniversalClass.com > Writing Help > Writing Improvement

Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class

CEU Value: 2.9 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.

Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams

Instructor: Daphnee St.Val, UniversalClass Instructional Team

Syllabus: View Syllabus

Course Fee: $90.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

"Very helpful." -- Renata B.
"It is a joy studying under this instructor! Working on the assignments. Applying the principles that I have learned. More important, assignments are corrected. This is more valuable than studying all the books by myself! Best of all, I have very competent, readily-available instructor! A million thanks to you. " -- Joe O.
"Our instructor was demanding, but fair. I found that I didn't want to dissapoint her." -- Dennis M.
"I had alot of fun doing this course and my instructor was very helpful. I found the punctuation, and paragraph structure very helpful." -- Molly C.
"Great instructor." -- Rick S.
"She was well organized with the lessons. The whole course was helpful." -- Cathy F.
"I really apreciate the fast response from the instructor and look forward to other classes I will take. I have had a difficult time with punctuation all of my life. After this class, I feel confident with my writing. I feel that the punctuation chapters were most helpful to me." -- Kari W.