General

  • What is Backdraft?

    Backdraft is an online professional development course that teaches you how to write with clarity and impact. Its content and pedagogy have been developed and refined over more than 20 years by a team of experienced professional writers. Backdraft teaches you to look back impartially at your first draft to identify the flaws that weaken your writing. Hence the name Backdraft.

  • Who is Backdraft for?

    Backdraft is valuable for anyone who wishes to improve the quality of their writing and become a better writer. The course equips you with essential skills to identify and fix weaknesses in your writing. Given Backdraft’s plain language focus, the course is ideal for anyone wishing to create content that is accessible and inclusive.

    Backdraft has been taught by the curriculum development team for more than 20 years across four continents. Clients have included governments, major financial and insurance companies, banks, and law-enforcement agencies.

  • What are fumbles and fumble codes?

    We use the term fumble to describe a mistake made in writing caused by loss of control. These mistakes result in lack of clarity and impact. The 36 fumbles covered in Backdraft have been given their own code. This codification makes performing reviews and editing written work as individuals and teams more efficient.

  • How will I use Backdraft in my daily life?

    We all write, every day. From texting or emailing to writing reports and presentation, strong writing and communication skills are important.

    Backdraft can be used daily by taking what you learn in the course and applying it as a writing quality-control system. Each fumble taught in Backdraft can be identified by a code. Use Backdraft codes as marginalia when marking up hard copies of your work, and that of colleagues.

  • Can Backdraft be used for corporate training?

    Yes, Backdraft is made for everyone—even for corporate training or individual professional development. Whether you're looking to sharpen your team's writing skills or streamline communication, Backdraft helps you eliminate common mistakes and elevate your writing across the board.

  • Is Backdraft an artificial-intelligence system?

    No. AI writing tools can be impressive. They can help improve your writing, but they won’t make you a better writer. To do that, you need to be the one who spots and fixes problems. With Backdraft, you take full control. You develop an editor’s skill to see deep into your writing. You come to understand what makes your writing weak, and how to fix it—for good. That’s how you truly improve as a writer.

Taking the course

  • What will I learn?

    Backdraft focuses on the 36 most common mistakes in writing—especially those made in first drafts. We call these mistakes fumbles. You will learn to spot, name and fix each of these fumbles. This approach helps you develop vital insight into your own writing, and that of any other writer whose work you review. With fresh awareness of your own weaknesses, you can quickly eliminate bad habits for good.

  • How is the course structured?

    The course includes 36 lessons, each covering a different fumble. Lessons are introduced with a detailed written explanation and a short, animated video. You then practice what you’ve learned in a series of multiple choice questions. After every six fumbles, you will be tested on your growing knowledge. A final exam will challenge you on your awareness of all 36 fumbles.

  • How long does the course take?

    It depends on your writing skill. We encourage users to take their time. The more you can focus on the training, the more you will get out of it. Expect to spend between 18 and 24 hours on the course.

  • Can I retake tests or the final exam?

    Yes. You can retake any of the tests or the final exam as many times as you need to feel confident in your skills. We encourage reviewing lessons regularly for continuous improvement.

  • Will I receive any type of certification or accreditation?

    Yes. Writers who successfully complete Backdraft receive a certificate to mark the achievement.

  • What curriculum-based support is available during the training?

    Feel free to contact us by email if you have questions about course content. Send your questions to [email protected].

Language and style

  • Are there any prerequisites or language requirements?

    Backdraft requires a reasonable understanding of the English language. The course is ideally suited to intermediate-level writers, which includes those who study English as a second language.

  • What English dialect is the course provided in?

    English continues to evolve as a global language. The Backdraft course is grounded in Canadian English. Our spelling is a mid-Atlantic blend of British and American influences (See Oxford Canadian Dictionary). We follow -re, -our, -ous and -ize spelling conventions. We write labelled, not labeled. Terms and phrases are also influenced by our Canadian roots.

  • What style guide does course follow?

    Backdraft strives to remain neutral. You will encounter many reminders about style guides as you proceed through the course. The organization you write for may have its own guide. Or it may adhere to an existing guide, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, or the Associated Press Stylebook.

    The Language Portal of Canada, a product of the Government of Canada’s Translation Bureau, is our default style guide. It is comprehensive, non-prescriptive and easy to use for anyone who wants to improve their language skills. Learn more about the portal Canada's language portal here.

    We do not enforce the serial comma, as we believe the specifics of a sentence should dictate the need for it.

Registration and payment

  • How much does Backdraft cost?

    The full Backdraft course costs CDN $995.00. This is a one-time cost, which gives you lifetime access to the system and all updates.

    We offer a free preview course that gives you access to three of the 36 Backdraft lessons. You can access the preview here.

  • How do I register and purchase the course?

    Individuals can purchase the course directly from our website. For information on group sign up and rates, contact us at [email protected] or +1 613-683-4100.

  • Can I try the course before purchasing?

    We offer a free preview course that gives you access to three of the 36 Backdraft lessons. You can access the preview here.

  • Will I receive an invoice for my payment?

    You will receive an official invoice through Thinkific Payments to securely document your purchase.

  • What methods of payment are accepted?

    Get in touch with us to learn about our accepted payment methods.

  • Where can I access the course?

    If you have purchased the Backdraft course or preview course, you can sign in and access them from Your Dashboard.

    You will have generated your sign in details during purchase.

  • Does the course expire?

    Your access to Backdraft will never expire. You can revisit the course through Thinkific as often as you like. In fact, writers who have used Backdraft for decades recommend refreshing your awareness of the 36 fumbles regularly.

  • Can I register a team or group?

    Yes. Backdraft can be taken as an individual or as a team. Group rates are available for any sized team. For more information on registering a group, contact us at [email protected] or +1 613-683-4100.

Technical support

  • How can I receive technical support?

    Get support on basic technical issues from Thinkfic by visiting their Troubleshooting Guide for Student Issues. If you're still having difficulties, contact us at [email protected].

  • What equipment will I need?

    To take the Backdraft course you will need a desktop or laptop computer and internet access. It is best if you can wear headphones to reduce background noise, especially during video lessons.

  • Can I use a smartphone to complete the course?

    Yes, you can complete the course on a smartphone; however, the learning experience is best on a desktop computer or laptop.

  • What internet browser should I use?

    The platform that hosts Backdraft is called Thinkific. Thinkific is supported by Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Edge. It is not supported by Internet Explorer. If you are having any difficulties accessing the course in your browser, you may find useful information at Thinkific's help centre.