While the art of writing certainly requires a bit of talent, learning the techniques of good writing through free online writing courses can send your own writing quality into the stratosphere. When it comes to online writing, the truth is that good things come to those who write well. Once your articles reach wide distribution and your name gets out there as a recognizable source for excellent writing - your earning potential as a freelance online writer is limited only by how much time you have available to devote to your writing.

Previously, I’ve written quite a bit about free online resources and tools for online writers, and I’ve also provide a little bit of insight into the path that you can follow to become a freelance writer. However, in order to lay down a solid foundation as a writer, you really need to take a few writing classes - so I’ve decided to put together a useful list of the top 10 sites that offer free online writing courses in order to provide you with a page that you can bookmark and return to often whenever you’d like to take another free writing course.

Top 10 Free Online Writing Courses

Much of the Internet is over-run with useless sites that don’t really offer anything much of value, but instead try to draw in search engine results with spammed keywords and meaningless text (often written with the most atrocious grammar you’ll ever read). In order to cut through all of that nonsense, I’ve collected the finest sites offering a wide range of writing courses that cover all aspects of good writing.

• Learning Space - This UK based online courseware site easily takes the top spot on the list of the best free online writing courses due to the sheer volume of available free courses. The Arts and History section has the most available lessons, but you can find excellent writing courses throughout other disciplines as well.
• MIT Open Courseware - Can’t get into MIT? That doesn’t mean you can’t take writing classes from one of the country’s Premier technical colleges. Select the Writing and Humanistic Studies Department and you’re whisked away to a list of dozens of classes. Just choose your class and download the full course - it’s as simple as that!
• Utah University - This University also offers open courseware that includes a few valuable English classes. Remember, these are full University courses that you can download for absolutely free.
• NewsU - I’ll be honest, I’m a journalist at heart. I love hunting down the truth behind a story. News University does charge for some courses, but there are enough free, high-quality courses here to put this site toward the top of the list. If you’re a budding freelance journalist, don’t pass this one by.
• Utah State - Utah State University also has a wide range of excellent courses for writing across all departments, but obviously the English Department is the best place to start.
• Western Governors University - This site lists a great collection of classes under “Liberal Arts.”
• Purdue - This top University offers some of the best open courseware of any other site available on the web. You’ll find fantastic courses like “Proofreading Your Writing” and “The Writing Process.”
• Steven Barnes - This well known author and screenwriter offers prospective writers a complete writing course for absolutely free.
• The Writer’s Channel - If you enjoy watching video more than reading, this series of video and audio writing courses are right up your alley.
• Ezine University - This site offers an eclectic mix of online courses, many of which are focused on the art of writing for various purposes.

Learn the Techniques and Practice

When it comes to writing, about half of the effort to become a better writer is learning how to write as though you’re having a conversation with the reader, or how to use different methods to persuade, sell or draw an emotional reaction from your reader. Once you learn these techniques, the other half of the effort is to put what you learn into practice by writing as often and as much as you have time for. Make it a hobby that you do with every spare moment that you have available, and in a very short time you’ll find that not only have your writing skills improved, but you’re writing will also be well in demand.

Good luck with your studies, and make sure you share your success stories in the comments section below!