Persuasive Writing Credential: What Sets It Apart

The Persuasive Writing Credential (PWC) is not your typical online writing course. Whether you work in writing, policy, or another field, this program will enhance your persuasive writing at all stages. Below are four factors, according to students, that make this program unique.

Interactive Sessions

Many online courses consist of recorded lectures and occasional online discussion boards. While PWC has a few supplemental recorded lectures and discussion boards, those are secondary to the live lectures and peer review groups. The weekly live lectures are more like workshops in the level of engagement from program instructor David Chrisinger and classmates. You can anticipate active engagement in the classroom each week.

“I felt connected to a like-minded group of people who were trying to solve a myriad of problems facing our world today. There was a lot of passion and commitment in the 'room' to make something positive happen and make the world a better place. That energy was really motivating.”

—Tamara Pilot, Persuasive Writing Credential 2021

Customization and Feedback

There are three major assignments structured to build on one another and students have autonomy to select their topics. Plus, you will receive tailored feedback from your peer review group and the teaching team.

“I loved the peer edits in the course. I was in a group where the other two people had totally different backgrounds than me, and we had Zoom meetings to talk through our edits and experiences. The exercises were framed positively in a way that we were building each other up with feedback. I've taken that positive framing into collaboration elsewhere, when I’m thinking through how to phrase critiques or deliver constructive feedback.”

—Molly Smith, Persuasive Writing Credential 2021, MPP Class of 2023

Accessible for All

PWC offers growth for students and professionals from all backgrounds—previous experience in policy or writing is not required. The content and instruction are intentionally designed for everyone to build their writing toolkit and understand its impact in different case studies.

“Even though I don’t explicitly have a background in public policy, I felt so well-guided that it didn’t even matter. Writing Program Director David Chrisinger often provided example texts so we could not only get a sense of the policy question but also of how to structure the specific type of writing piece we were working on.”

—Ana Clara Gobbes Faria, Persuasive Writing Credential 2021

Preparation for Publication

The skills, exercises, and feedback prepare students for future publication submissions. A few students from our 2021 cohort published pieces they started in PWC! Here are a few examples published in the Chicago Policy Review:

• Reallocating Funds to Education: A Better Chance for Youth by Carly Domicolo 
• Venezuela’s Shameful Secret by Tamara Pilot   
• Transparency in Diversity Action at the University of Chicago by Guy Whittall-Scherfee 

“After the program, I submitted my op-ed to Chicago Policy Review, where it was accepted and published. I was able to use that publication in my graduate school application.”

—Carly Domicolo, Persuasive Writing Credential 2021

We invite you to learn more about this program by exploring the Persuasive Writing Credential website and signing up to receive more information and invitations to upcoming events.