Student Resources

There are many physical and digital resources available to help you improve your writing. Included here is just a small sampling of helpful materials on a handful of topics. You are encouraged to contact your instructor, the Writer’s Workshop, or the 51С»Æ³µ Libraries with additional questions on these topics.

How to Read Assignments

  • on how to make sure you understand a writing assignment

Getting Started on a Writing Assignment

The 51С»Æ³µ Center for Writing has compiled a for getting words on the page.

Working with Sources

  • 51С»Æ³µ library guide on
  • for the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) (often used in history and social sciences)
  • for Council of Scientific Editors (CSE) style citations (often used in natural sciences)
  • for Modern Language Association (MLA) style citations (often used in English and other humanities)
  • on APA from the American Psychological Association (often used in education, psychology, and business)
  • for ASA from the American Sociological Association (often used in sociology)
  • Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)'s , including guidance on , , , and styles
  • The for incorporating quotes into writing

Thesis Statements

  • on creating a strong thesis

Grammar, Voice, and Style

  • Grammar exercises: explanations of a few key stylistic and grammatical issues, plus quizzes with answer keys.
  • Grammar blogs: and .
  • for Writers: An interactive online grammar platform. Students can register for a 21- day free trial.
  • An on the writer’s voice in nonfiction.
  • Purdue OWL
  • Purdue Owl’s
  • Lumen Learning’s comprehensive
  • American Scientist article on the
  • from the Plain Language Action and Information Network, especially helpful for policy writing

Paragraphing and Summarization

  • Several examples of how to and

Annotated Bibliographies

  • The offer instructions and samples for annotated bibliographies according to different style guides.
  • provides an overview and samples of annotated bibliographies.
  • The provides guidelines for annotated bibliographies.

Collaborative Writing

  • The UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center's
  • "," Cummings et al.'s chapter of the open access textbook , which discusses methods and tools students can use for collaborative writing projects
  • "," a video lecture by professional writing expert Joanna Wolfe

Presentations

  • 51С»Æ³µ alum

Open Access Texts on Writing

  • publishes open-access texts on writing and reading.
  • publishes numerous books about teaching writing, some of which are open-access.
  • offers advice on the process of writing. Its and can assist you with particular writing skills.
  •  is an open source textbook with chapters on various topics that student writers frequently encounter.