This is a curated collection of videos about writing. I look for engaging videos that represent a variety of writing professions, believing that common threads exist which bind all writers. I try to add at least one video per day. Recently added videos tend to be at the top. Use the buttons to arrange the videos by topic.
The Craft of Writing Effectively
This video provides a brief overview of the University of Chicago's writing program and looks at how to write effectively and persuasively. It also gives an example of a writing essay.
Bad Grammar
On the illusions of Bad Grammar...
What Mr. Harvey Told the Corporate Linguist
His grammar coach told him that if he didn't improve his speaking skills, he would be off TV. He disagreed.
The Best Way To Learn English (In my humble opinion.)
Bob the Canadian shares his approach to learning English, which includes focusing on different aspects of the language on different days of the week, and taking a break on the weekends to watch television shows or read books.
Hedging (cautious language) in Academic Writing
This video discusses hedging, which is a technique used to soften (qualify) claims and conclusions in academic writing; it discusses five different ways to hedge and goes through a sample text.
How Quentin Tarantino Wrote Inglourious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino explains his creative process for writing films, emphasizing the importance of characters and plot development. He believes that it's the characters who determine the story and that this process of bringing them to life is what makes writing and filmmaking so rewarding.
What is Content Curation?
Content curation is an important process for student learning, as it helps them learn how to find and consume information effectively, while encouraging critical thinking and discussions.
Class Activity: Analyze Zelenskyy's Speech for Peace
The Art of Persuasion Hasn’t Changed in 2,000 Years
Five rhetorical devices used by history's greatest communicators to create persuasive, credible speeches that captivate listeners.
How to Receive Feedback
Cultural Rhetorics Approach to Memoir
How to Write in a Scholarly Voice
How to Learn English
The Democracy of Language
Language change, and how we vote with our words.
A day in the life of a (tired) English student
Can someone point me to a book or resource that explains why I spent nearly 20 minutes watching this video when I had work to do?
How to Choose a Smart Topic for a Research Paper
Writing for Magazines: Tips for Academics
The video advises academics on how to write for magazines, highlighting the need to set a clear deadline and communicate openly with editors.
What is a Literary Genre?
Connecting With an Audience in Your Writing
The Rhetorical Situation
What is Rhetoric?
The Art of Quoting - Improve your writing
Excellent advice on using quotations in your writing...
Qualities and Skills of a Technical Writer
Will English Always Be the Global Language?
What Does a UX Writer Do?
Your Writing Year in Review!
The top 10 words of 2021
Passive Voice - UNC Writing Center
Introduction to Articulatory Phonetics
Brings back good memories of the Intro to Linguistics course I took at my local community college in AZ. That was before I changed my major to English. Looking back, that class was likely an early influence on my turn away from Biology. Another influence: Biology...or rather my pitiful grasp of the subject.
How to Show, Not Tell
“Don’t tell me the moon is shining. Show me the glint of light on broken glass.” – Anton Chekov. Writers often have different definitions of “showing” and “telling.”
Is Business-Speak Efficient or Infuriating?
Important lessons for a variety of writers.
Google Scholar Search Tips & Tricks
Blogging Tips for Beginners That Actually Work
A terrific overview for writers interested in professional blogging and content writing in general.
In Defense of Rhetoric
A video created by graduate students in the MA in Professional Communication program at Clemson University. It explains why popular notions of rhetoric are inaccurate and demonstrates how rhetoric actually produces new knowledge.
Embrace the Remix
These videos are a must-see for any creator. All writing is essentially remixing: this perspective takes a lot of pressure off of writers seeking original ideas. Key line from the video: "Our creativity comes from without, not from within." (Click the thumbnail images to view the second and third videos--I almost left out the third video, but it talks about Star Wars, and it's a perfect elaboration of the content in the first two videos)
Style in the 21st Century
An engaging lecture from Steven Pinker, author of The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century.
Avoiding Fancy Language
Do fancy words make your writing sound smart? NOPE. Check out this video to see how to rid fancy language from your writing and communicate like a human.
Prepositions of direction - Grammar - ESL
How to Avoid Plagiarism in Your Research Papers
Writing in the First-person
Thinking about using first-person voice in your essay or article? Check out this video for excellent advice on using the first-person in academic writing.
Ta-Nehisi Coates on Perseverance
Some inspiring words on sticking with it.
The Power of Persuasion
A high quality video on the elements of a persuasive message.
Beware of Nominalizations
Avoiding so-called zombie nouns is a great way to enliven your writing.
Diction and the Power of Simple Words
How to use a Semicolon
Do you know how to use a semicolon? If not, check out this short video.
English is a Global Language
How to Write an Effective Email
Instant Cure for Writer's Block
Make writer's block disappear like magic.
How Misused Modifiers Hurt Your Writing
Beware the misplaced modifier.
What is Content Marketing?
Don't know what content marketing means? Watch this video. (I promise this video is much more interesting than the thumbnail suggests)
