Writing with Flair
Review

Make Your Blogs, Books & Business Writing Sparkle. Join the World’s No 1. Online Writing Course With 349,065+ Other Students.

Medium
  • Last updated 01/01/2024
by Shani Raja

What you'll learn ? Overview

Writing With Flair by Shani Raja is a comprehensive, self-paced online writing course designed to transform how you approach nonfiction prose. Taught by a former Wall Street Journal editor, the course focuses on four foundational pillars—simplicity, clarity, elegance, and evocativeness—to help students elevate their writing in blogs, business documents, books, and beyond.

With practical techniques drawn from elite journalism, the course promises a complete writing system rather than scattered tips. It targets a broad audience: from professionals aiming to polish business communication, to bloggers, students, and anyone seeking to make their writing stand out in a crowded digital world.

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Is this course for you?

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Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

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Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

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Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Ideal for learners seeking quick upskilling or career advancement, including freelancers, new grads, professionals aiming to sharpen business writing, and non-native English speakers.

Instructor

Shani Raja

Elite Writing Coach and Former Wall Street Journal Editor Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Shani Raja is a distinguished writing instructor and former senior editor at The Wall Street Journal. With a career spanning top-tier publications like The Economist, Time, and Bloomberg News, Raja has leveraged his extensive journalism experience to create highly popular online writing courses. His flagship program, 'Writing With Flair,' has attracted nearly 500,000 students from over 200 countries, solidifying his reputation as a leading authority in teaching advanced writing techniques.
Raja's journalism career includes writing for The Economist, reporting for Bloomberg News, and editing for The Wall Street Journal. He has trained numerous high-profile journalists and edited for leading global companies such as Microsoft, IBM, and PwC. Raja transitioned from journalism to focus on teaching non-journalists the elite writing and storytelling techniques he mastered in his editorial roles. His online courses have garnered widespread acclaim, with over 100,000 students across various platforms.
• Developed 'Writing With Flair,' one of the most popular online writing courses globally
• Attracted nearly 500,000 students from over 200 countries to his online writing programs
• Former senior editor at The Wall Street Journal
• Contributed to prestigious publications including The Economist, Time, and Financial Times
• Trained journalists at top-tier news organizations
• Created a writing program that has helped authors, bloggers, business writers, and TEDx speakers enhance their skills
• Webinar: 'How to become an exceptional writer' for the Professional Development Forum (2020)
• Guest on various writing and journalism podcasts (specific names not publicly available)
• Conducted workshops for corporate clients (specific events not publicly listed)
Raja is primarily active on professional platforms like LinkedIn and Udemy. He regularly shares writing tips, course updates, and insights into the craft of writing. His content focuses on helping individuals improve their writing skills across various domains, from business communication to creative writing.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration7
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • 🧠 PrerequisitesNo prior experience required; suitable for all levels.
  • 💻 RequirementsLaptop or desktop, internet connection, note-taking app or paper.
  • 💸 Hidden CostsNone; all materials included.
  • 🙋‍♂️ Support OptionsUdemy Q&A forum, community discussion, email support.

Course content

  • Module 1: The Mindset of an Elite Writer
  • Module 2: The Four Ingredients: Simplicity, Clarity, Elegance, Evocativeness
  • Module 3: Structuring Your Prose for Maximum Impact
  • Module 4: Editing and Refining Techniques
  • Module 5: Real-World Applications: Blogs, Business Writing, Books
  • Module 6: Advanced Tips and Case Studies

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Overwhelmingly positive, with students praising its actionable advice and engaging delivery.

Praised points

Clarity, structure, and real-world application are frequent highlights.
  • Practical frameworks that demystify great writing
  • Engaging teaching style
  • Immediate improvements in students’ work

Criticisms

Some students find certain modules repetitive or wish for more advanced material.
  • Desire for more interactive exercises
  • Occasional overlap with other writing courses

Testimonials

"Shani is eloquent and engaging and makes the course fun."
"This was an exceptional course. I found the content beneficial and relevant to my livelihood."
"He relayed the information clearly and concisely."
"I learned a lot from this course. This will be one of my favorite training."
"The curriculum is comprehensive, engaging and experiential."

Social insights

Discussions reflect strong satisfaction, especially among non-native English speakers and professionals. Many cite rapid improvements and recommend the course for its clear, step-by-step breakdown. Occasional comments note that advanced writers may find the content basic.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The course promises to reveal the writing tactics of elite journalists and help students become exceptional writers by focusing on four core principles. Reviews and curriculum confirm that these promises are delivered in practice.

Price History

Regularly discounted on Udemy, with periodic sales dropping the price from $99.99 to as low as $14.99.

Upsell Practices

No aggressive upsells; occasional promotion of related writing courses.

Student Success

Many testimonials and reviews cite immediate, tangible improvements in writing, including from professionals and non-native speakers.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Udemy; user-friendly and reliable.

Content Accessibility

Full access to replays and downloadable resources.

Mobile Compatibility

Fully compatible with mobile and tablet devices.

Technical Requirements

Basic internet connection and standard device.

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

No significant complaints or controversies found.

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Refund policy issues

Clear 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Marketing practices

Transparent; promises match the actual curriculum and outcomes.

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Community feedback

Consistently positive, with little evidence of negative trends.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

Delivers strong ROI for anyone seeking to improve nonfiction writing; especially good when purchased on sale.

Conclusion

We recommend Writing With Flair for its practical approach, clear instruction, and consistent results. Excellent value for the price.

FAQs about this course

Primarily nonfiction—blogging, business writing, essays, and books, but principles apply broadly.

Shani Raja is a former Wall Street Journal editor and renowned writing coach with experience training journalists at top news organizations.

The course includes about 7 hours of video content and can be completed in a week with light daily study.

Yes, many non-native speakers report significant improvements in clarity and confidence after completing the course.

There are self-guided exercises, but no personalized instructor feedback. Peer interaction is possible via the Udemy forum.

Udemy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on this course.

Yes, the course is fully accessible via the Udemy mobile app.

No, the focus is on nonfiction writing—blogs, business, essays, and journalism.

Yes, Udemy provides a certificate after you finish all course modules.

<strong>Simplicity, Clarity, Elegance, and Evocativeness</strong> are the foundational elements Shani Raja emphasizes for exceptional writing.

A former Wall Street Journal editor and widely recognized writing instructor with experience training journalists and professionals worldwide.

It’s designed as a 7-hour program, but most learners complete it over a week or two at their own pace.

Yes, the course offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if purchased through Udemy or the official website.

No, the course is suitable for beginners and professionals alike.

The course includes practical exercises, but not formal quizzes or graded assignments.

Yes, full access is available via the Udemy app on phones and tablets.

Support is available via the course Q&A forum and email; responses are typically prompt.
thumbnail Images
$ 100
Total score: 9,0/10 ⭐
  • Duration7
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/01/2016
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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Our Methodology

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Writing with Flair Review