The Writing
Coach Course
The Writing Coach Course
Give Your Writing a Makeover With a Personal Writing Coach
Learn how to write compelling content for any medium
If you get tangled in knots over having to write at work or at home, The Writing Coach Course can help you.
This course is designed to help you gain confidence in your writing skills. You will learn how to write for different audiences and produce impactful, well-organised material in various styles and formats.
Whether you intend to write top-notch business reports, proposals, letters or just hope to improve your overall written communication, this course is for you.
Your tutor will provide personalised feedback on your assignments, as well as advice and support throughout the course.
The Writing Coach Course Gives You...
No Automated Marking
We use traditional methods of assessing work, as editors at publishing houses would. No generic feedback!
A Flexible Schedule
Work wherever and whenever you want. You can easily fit our courses around work and other commitments.
Relevant, Usable Content
Easy-to-digest course notes that capture a lifetime of writing experience, ready for you to apply to your own writing.
Ongoing Assessment
Your writing is assessed continuously as your course progresses.
Expert, Individual Feedback
Get prompt, honest, detailed feedback on every assignment from an award-winning writer. We focus on your unique writing strengths.
No Peer Reviews!
You will only be assessed by your tutor, a leader in their field. No more guessing and wondering how to write; you'll be guided line by line.
Say Goodbye to Your
Writing Struggles
Master writing tools and techniques
to help you engage your reader
Good writing skills take time and effort to learn. This course allows for a relaxed pace while you study and practise in dozens of writing exercises from the comfort of your home.
Discover how to:
- beat procrastination and start writing regularly
- get inspired and find topics to write about
- perfect your punctuation
- make your writing more dynamic using figures of speech
- improve your vocabulary and grammar
- apply your writing skills at work and in your daily life
Say Goodbye to Your Writing Struggles
Master writing tools and techniques to help you engage your reader
Good writing skills take time and effort to learn. This course allows for a relaxed pace while you study and practise in dozens of writing exercises from the comfort of your home.
Discover how to:
- beat procrastination and start writing regularly
- get inspired and find topics to write about
- perfect your punctuation
- make your writing more dynamic using figures of speech
- improve your vocabulary and grammar
- apply your writing skills at work and in your daily life
'The course has inspired me to become a better writer. With awareness comes opportunity; effort makes it possible. The effort I put in was reflected in my results, and I feel my journey is just beginning. I enjoyed my contact with Susan. I believe her personal, anecdotal comments brought the course to life, and I responded positively to this approach. I have recommended it to others and will continue to do so.'
Sheryl Nelley, Writing Coach Course
Course Overview
COURSE FEE
R 7 995.00
Price includes VAT
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
9
The assignments vary in length.
NUMBER OF MODULES
9
These modules include around 200 pages of course notes.
COURSE DURATION
12
Work at your own pace – up to a maximum of 12 months.
START DATE: ANYTIME
Working with an individual tutor means you can start the course at any time.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Basic writing skills are essential.
- Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required.
- No previous tertiary qualification required.
Tutor for this Course
Susan Williams
With a strong background in education and vast experience working at multinational corporations, Susan consults and offers services in her areas of expertise. Since starting her business in 2000, she has been contracted to manage numerous group publishing projects with international distribution. In addition, she has first-hand experience in developing corporate and technical training video scripts and presentations, as well as developing superb induction and other internal/public training programmes.
Susan tutors the Report Writing and Presentation Course, the Write Better Newsletters Course and the Writing Coach Course. Despite her busy schedule, Susan also finds the time to be an active member of Toastmasters International.
Course Curriculum
Module 1
- Create a daily writing schedule
- Learn how to manage your writing time
- List your reasons for procrastination
- Become more aware of your surroundings by using all of your senses
- Daily exercise: Let it flow – keep a journal of your daily writings
- Exercise: After 7 days, write a paragraph and submit it.
Module 2
- Beware of negative self-talk
- Make lists, jot down ideas and use mind maps
- Read newspapers
- Develop an interest in life – in people, projects and developments
- Apply your writing skills to your work – emails, notes, descriptions, requests and replies
- Daily exercise: Journal work
- Exercise: Make a list of all the topics you would like to write about in your daily life or at work. Select one topic and draw a mind map to submit.
Module 3
- Get your facts together
- Arrange them in a logical order
- Give them flesh (writing sentences and paragraphs)
- Use transitions to ensure logical flow
- Use consistency in style, tone, tense and perspective to ensure logical flow
- Exercise: Learn the process of writing and apply it to one of your selected topics.
Module 4
- Become more aware of how people write and speak
- Make a list of of abstract terminology, officialese and clichés you hear or see in writing and find a better way of saying it
- Write shorter sentences
- Test your writing phrase by phrase and sentence by sentence
- Exercise: Rewrite a paragraph in clear English.
- Write a short report or a proposal that you could use in the workplace.
Module 5
- Language as a communication tool requires vocabulary and grammar. What is vocabulary and what is grammar?
- Learn to define the parts of speech and understand their function in a sentence
- Learn to use tenses effectively
- Avoid common errors
- Tips and exercises on how to improve your vocabulary
- Notes on how to use a dictionary and a thesaurus
- Exercises: Short exercises in correcting errors and building vocabulary
- Write an essay on a topic of your choice, consciously using new words.
- Write an essay exploring the different senses.
Module 6
- What is a sentence?
- What is a paragraph?
- What is punctuation?
- Exercise: Correct sentences and a paragraph.
- Write your own paragraph and use punctuation marks effectively.
Module 7
- Spice up your writing by using figures of speech
- Use metaphor, anecdote and descriptive language to improve your writing
- Use your senses to become aware of what you experience and use that in your writing
- Beware of ambiguity, mixed metaphors, etc.
- Exercise: Rewrite a dull paragraph.
Modules 8 and 9
You can select TWO of the following modules to specialise in:
Specialist Module A
- Find out about different types of letters, format of letters: business letter; personal letter; condolence letter; thank you letter; letter of complaint; letter to the press etc.
- Writing for the reader
- Tone of voice
Exercises: Write two of these:
- Write a letter to the press or a letter to a friend
- Write a letter of complaint
- Write a letter to your boss for a salary adjustment
- Write a cover letter for a job application
Specialist Module B
- Plan a report on a selected topic
- Draft a report
- Analyse and improve on the draft
- Add anecdote and metaphor and descriptive language in an appropriate manner to interest, influence and inform your reader
- Report formats (short report, long report)
- Reports on: projects, reporting on meetings or discussions, research
- Executive summary
- Planning a theme for an employee report
- Using storytelling techniques to create interest (metaphor, anecdote, etc)
Exercise:
- Use the given theory and guidelines and write a report of use to your workplace.
Specialist Module C
- Practical tips and guidelines on article writing
- Learn about writing style, article formats, checking facts, do’s & don’ts
Exercises:
- Write a paragraph about a business, social, or sports event, a visit from a VIP, or an interesting experience – to be published in a newsletter.
- Write a technical or specialist article based on an interview, on product specifications, or meeting minutes and research.
- Write a human interest article based on an interview (e.g. interview with disabled worker, person with interesting hobbies, NGO and its work, etc.)
Specialist Module D
- Learn how to plan and do research for a speech on a chosen topic
- Use metaphor, anecdote and description
- Use rhythm and rhyme to pace the speech
Exercise:
- Write a business related or social speech. Select from:
- The opening of an event;
- Introducing another speaker,
- A product launch,
- A farewell speech,
- A national celebration (Heritage Day, Women’s Day, etc),
- A 21st birthday celebration,
- A wedding,
- Or on a topic of your choice.
Specialist Module E
- Learn the different formats and styles of proposal writing
- Write for your reader
Exercises:
- Write a proposal to your boss to attend a conference, go on training, develop a new product; or
- Write a proposal to the school board, municipality, church or community group to improve a service
Specialist Module F
- Formats and styles for memos, emails and faxes
- Do’s and don’ts for each
- Exercises:
- Write a memo
- Write an email on a given topic
- Write a fax following a given brief
What Our Students Say
Get These Additional Benefits
Lifetime Course Access
Benefit from free lifetime access to future course updates and access to our writing resources.
Work at Your Own Pace
Our courses work around you. You can pace your course around your busy life.
500+ Bonus Articles on Our Blog
A superb, constantly updated resource with articles on writing and interviews with writers.
Work Opportunities
Top students are invited to join our writers and editors for hire service.
Be the First to Know About Writing Competitions
We'll help you keep up to date with the latest competition announcements
Join a Community of Writers
You will have access to our friendly Facebook community, daily writing tips and writing inspiration.
Risk-Free 100% Money-Back Guarantee
We are so confident that you will love your course that if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our training, simply ask for a refund within 30 days.
Complete the Application Form to Enrol on the Writing Coach Course
You will receive an approval email and invoice within one working day.
Should your form not submit, please let admin know at admin@sawriterscollege.co.za
Questions?
We've Got Answers
Detailed course notes covering the content of each module will be emailed to you. At the end of each module, you will be required to complete one or two writing exercises. Once a writing assignment has been completed and emailed to your tutor, you will receive an assessment and feedback, and the module will be considered complete.
Absolutely. You have direct communication with your tutor for the duration of the course. The more questions you ask, the more you will get out of the course.
You will get lifetime access to the course. You will also benefit from future updates and improvements to the course.
For the majority of our courses, only your tutor will see your work. It will remain completely private unless you get it published. The journalism courses might see your work published in the public domain, but you do have the final say as to whether or not this happens.
You will receive a Writers College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided you meet the following conditions:
- You must have completed all writing assignments.
- The course must have been completed within 12 months of registration.
- A minimum average of 50% must be achieved.
- Basic writing skills are essential.
- Basic computer skills, as well as email and Internet access are required.
- No previous tertiary qualification is required.
Because you will work with an individual tutor, you can start your course as soon as your application has been approved. There are no specific start dates as would be the case with a traditional college.
An application is usually approved within one working day. Once we receive proof of payment, your can start your course.
You could be starting your course today!
- Reading time: 6–12 hours, depending on your reading speed
- Writing time: Up to 20 hours
Once your application has been approved, you will receive notification of approval and an invoice via email. As soon as we receive proof of payment, the first module as well as your tutor’s email address and your login details will be sent to you. Your tutor will also be in touch to welcome you.
Any work created on our courses is owned by you. We will never make a claim to anything you produce. We follow the rule that copyright subsists with the creator (you).