Harvard Online · delivered by SkillsPro360

Microcredential in
Effective Writing for Greater Impact

Write to be read: clear, persuasive workplace writing that gets decisions made and ideas across.

What you study: What to know before you write, editing for concision, using structure and formatting, connecting with your reader, and adapting to your professional context.
Who it is for: Working professionals who want their emails, briefs and presentations to be read, understood and acted on.
Part of: Power Skills for Career Growth — complete any five of the seven courses to also earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online.

Course fee

USD 150

Single course enrollment

Duration

2.5 hours

On-demand, 90-day access

Microcredential fromHarvard Online

Enroll now Get more information

Request a call Get it for your team

What you receive

Earn a Microcredential from Harvard Online.

Complete the course and Harvard Online issues your digital Microcredential.

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Harvard faculty and a world-class guest

Taught by Professor Todd Rogers of Harvard Kennedy School, co-author of Writing for Busy Readers, with comedian and actor Ilana Glazer.

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A badge you can verify and share

Your Microcredential carries a verification code, ready to add to your LinkedIn profile.

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Stacks toward a Certificate of Completion

Complete any five of the seven Power Skills for Career Growth courses to also earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online.

Sample Harvard Online Microcredential for Effective Writing for Greater Impact

Sample Microcredential issued by Harvard Online. Design subject to change by Harvard Online.

Course syllabus

What you study.

Five short sections on crafting clear, impactful communications for busy readers.

Topics covered

What to Know Before You Write — most readers are busy and will skim; moving beyond messy first drafts to find your core message and the action you want; and choosing the right tone.
Editing for Concision and Easy Reading — writing and rewriting to leave only the core message, and preferring short, simple words over obscure or complex language.
Using Effective Structure and Formatting — ordering ideas by priority, separating distinct points, and using bold, highlighting and italics sparingly to signal what matters most.
Connecting with Your Reader — showing readers why they are receiving a message, and making it easy to act with direct links or specific meeting times rather than open-ended questions.
Your Personal and Professional Context — tailoring timing, tone and channel to your workplace, and how the identities of writer and reader shape how messages are written and read.

Learning outcomes

Defining effective writing

Identify what effective writing is
Distill the goal of any piece of writing

Audience awareness

Write with an awareness that the reader is busy
Take readers’ priorities into consideration
Tailor messages to an audience

Clarity and engagement

Edit, simplify, structure and format writing
Make it easy for people to engage and respond

Format: on-demand, self-pacedAccess: 90 days from enrollment

Syllabus topics are set by Harvard Online and may be revised.

Who it is for

Built for anyone whose emails need answers.

This course is for professionals who want their writing to be read and acted on.

Managers and team leadsPeople whose updates and requests need fast responses.
Client-facing professionalsThose writing proposals, briefs and follow-ups.
Early-career professionalsPeople building a reputation for clear communication.
Anyone in a busy inboxProfessionals who want to cut through the noise.

An introductory course; no prerequisites. Taught in English; participants should be 18 or over.

At work

Write messages busy people read and act on.

Most workplace writing is skimmed. This short course shows you how to write so the key point lands even when readers are in a hurry.

Lead with the pointPut the decision or request where busy readers will see it first.
Cut without losing meaningEdit emails and reports to half the length and twice the clarity.
Format for scanningUse structure, headings and white space so readers find what they need.
Write for your readerAdjust tone and detail for executives, clients and colleagues.

Who teaches you

Learn from Harvard faculty.

Professor Todd Rogers leads the course in conversation with Ilana Glazer. Guest segments are pre-recorded.

Todd Rogers

Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

A behavioral scientist and co-author of Writing for Busy Readers, who teaches courses on behavior change and communication.

Power Skills for Career Growth

Seven courses. Any five earn a Certificate of Completion.

This course is one of seven Power Skills for Career Growth courses. Each earns its own Microcredential, and any five together also earn the Certificate of Completion in Power Skills for Career Growth from Harvard Online.

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How to Bring the Real You to Work

Henry Louis Gates Jr. with Cynthia Erivo

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Cultivating Power for Positive Impact

Julie Battilana with Keke Palmer

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Purpose, Perspective, and Persuasion

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Disagreeing Productively and Collaborating Well

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Building a Winning Mindset

Luana Marques with John Cena

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Tech Ethics

Michael Sandel with Michael B. Jordan

See all seven courses

Sample Harvard Online Certificate of Completion in Power Skills for Career Growth

Sample certificate issued by Harvard Online.

Course fee

What is included.

One fee covering the full Harvard Online course and your Microcredential.

USD150

per participant · complete course

The complete Harvard Online course, all five sections
A digital Microcredential from Harvard Online
A verification code to share on LinkedIn
90 days of on-demand access
Counts toward the Power Skills for Career Growth Certificate of Completion
Advisor support from enrollment to completion

Enroll now

Enrolling a team?

Organizations are invoiced directly, and multi-seat rates apply from ten participants.

Fees are quoted in US dollars and paid by international card or bank transfer; your bank applies its own conversion rate. We can also provide a scope document for employer-funded participants.

Request a proposal

Enrollment

From inquiry to first day.

Four steps, usually completed within a week.

Step one

Book a call

A twenty-minute conversation with an advisor to check the course fits your role and goals. No obligation.

Step two

Pick your start

The course is on-demand, so you can begin whenever suits you.

Step three

Enroll

Complete payment by international card or bank transfer.

Step four

Begin

We enroll you directly with Harvard Online. Your access details arrive by email, and your 90 days begin.

Common questions

Everything you might be wondering.

What will I study in Effective Writing for Greater Impact?

Five short sections: what to know before you write; editing for concision and easy reading; using effective structure and formatting; connecting with your reader; and your personal and professional context.

Will it help with everyday emails?

Yes. The course is about writing for busy readers, so it applies directly to emails, messages and short reports.

Will I interact with Ilana Glazer?

No. The guest segments are pre-recorded, and there are no live sessions in this course.

How long does the course take?

About two and a half hours in total. It is on-demand, so you can start any time and finish at your own pace within 90 days.

What does it cost?

USD 150 for the complete course and your Microcredential from Harvard Online.

What is a Microcredential?

A digital credential issued by Harvard Online when you complete a short course. It carries a verification code you can share on LinkedIn.

How do I earn the Power Skills for Career Growth certificate?

Complete any five of the seven Power Skills for Career Growth courses and Harvard Online awards a Certificate of Completion in Power Skills for Career Growth, in addition to your Microcredentials.

Who awards the Microcredential?

Harvard Online. SkillsPro360 is an authorized delivery partner — we are not Harvard University.

Microcredential in
Effective Writing for Greater Impact

Learn on your own schedule.