How to write a course people finish
Short lessons, one idea at a time, and a quick check at the end. A practical guide to writing courses that learners actually complete.
Anyone can write a course here: you write Markdown, and each heading becomes a lesson. Writing one that people finish takes a little more care.
One lesson, one idea
Keep each lesson focused on a single concept or skill. If you find yourself writing "also" or "another thing", that is probably a new lesson. Aim for something a learner can read in five to ten minutes.
Start with the outcome
Before you write, finish this sentence for every lesson: "After this, the learner can...". Then cut anything that does not serve it. Learners notice when a lesson knows where it is going.
Show, then tell
Lead with a concrete example, then explain the principle behind it. A worked example of a pinch grip teaches more than a paragraph about knife safety.
Close with key points and a quiz
- Key points give a short summary to come back to.
- Two or three quiz questions let learners check themselves. Write at least one wrong answer that reflects a common mistake, and add an explanation so a wrong answer still teaches something.
Keep it moving
Progress is motivating. Learners see how many lessons they have done, so short lessons give them more moments of success along the way.
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