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WRITING   &   RESEARCH   GUIDES

[ Basic English Grammar ]     [ Citing WWW and Print Sources ]     [ Edited / Standard American English ]    
[ "How to" Sources... ]     [ Legal Writing ]     [ Newspaper Writing ]     [ Researching / Writing the Report ]    
[ University Online Writing Centers ]


Basic English Grammar

  • Avoiding Gender Bias in Pronouns
    St. Cloud State University has compiled a resource to help the writer avoid "biased language can cause your reader to focus on how you say something rather than what you say."
  • Common Errors in English
    Geared for anyone wanting to improve writing skills, this source provides an alphabetic listing of common errors found in English writing and pronunciation.
  • Elements of Style
    The online version of William Strunk's classic source offers information on elements of composition, rules of usage, and commonly misspelled words.
  • Guide to Grammar and Writing
    Created specifically for English classes, this web site includes "online lessons," materials divided by writing level, and an "Ask Grammar!" section.
  • Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary - Thesaurus
    This site enables searches for both word definitions and synonyms through the M-W Collegiate Dictionary and the M-W Collegiate Thesaurus. For other online dictionaries, consult the Dictionaries section of the Virtual Reference Desk web site.
  • On-Line English Grammar
    Compiled for both general and ESL students, this resource contains "Practice Pages" for English language exercises and " a "Grammar Clinic" for questions and answers.
  • Using Appropriate Language
    The Purdue University Writing Lab summarizes the general guidelines on "levels of language formality, deceitful language and Euphemisms, slang and idiomatic expressions; using group-specific jargon; and biased/stereotypical language."
  • Using Gender-Sensitive Language
    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reviews the concept of gender bias and explains some of the important elements that can be used in writing a "gender-sensitive" report.
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Citing WWW and Print Sources

Style Guides: APA, ASA, CSE, Chicago, MLA, NLM

  • APA STYLE - 6th Edition ( 2009 )
    • APA Formatting and Style Guide
      This Purdue University OWL guide covers the various types of materials, PowerPoint presentations, statistics, tables, and includes a sample APA paper.
    • APA Style Guide - 6th Edition
      This University of Southern Mississippi guide illustrates the proper American Psychological Association style for citing WWW and print sources.
    • Basics of APA Style Tutorial
      The American Psychological Association has compiled an online style guide tutorial that walks the user through the basics of APA formatting.

  • ASA STYLE - 3rd Edition ( 2007 )
    • ASA Format
      The California State University Library has prepared student handout that shows examples of the various types of ASA style citations.
    • ASA Style for References
      The Rio Hondo College Library has put together a simple 5 page guide to the various forms of ASA citations.
    • Formatting in Sociology ( ASA Style )
      Purdue University has produced another OWL guide that contains basic information on manuscript formatting, in-text citations, and constructing a references page.

  • CSE STYLE - 7th Edition ( 2006 ) [ formerly known as the CBE Style ]

  • CHICAGO STYLE - 15th Edition ( 2003 )

  • MLA STYLE - 7th Edition ( 2009 )
    • MLA Style Guide
      This University of Southern Mississippi web site includes the most recently updated MLA-style citation format for print and Internet sources.
    • MLA Update 2009
      This Purdue University OWL guide has been updated to feature the latest changes in MLA formatting.
    • What's New in MLA Style? Bedford / St. Martins has produced a user friendly summary of the latest changes in MLA style.

  • NLM STYLE - 2nd Edition ( 2007 )


Comprehensive / General Style Guides

  • Brief Guide to Citing Government Publications
    Released by the Regional Depository Library at the University of Memphis, this source contains samples of Chicago / Turabian citation styles for the various types of U. S. government publications.
  • Research & Documentation Online
    Diana Hacker's web source shows documentation styles for writing in the humanities, social sciences, history, and sciences. It includes sample papers written in the MLA, APA, Chicago, and CBE writing styles.

San Antonio College Library Subscription Databases

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Edited / Standard American English

  • American Heritage Book of English Usage
    Part of the Great Books Online series, this web source allows the user to search for grammar concepts using a drop down menu selection of "American English."
  • Cambridge Dictionary of American English
    This online dictionary contains clear definitions and examples for the current usage of various words and phrases.
  • The Columbia Guide to Standard American English
    Billed as "the ideal handbook of language etiquette," this resource provides some 6,500 entries with detailed examples of proper Standard American English usage.
  • Writing Tips ( Edited American English )
    Written as a general guide for English students, Dr. Wylene Rholetter of Auburn University offers some useful advice for writers of research papers.

"How to" Sources...

  • The Analytical Essay
    This University of Massachusetts Writing Program resource defines an analytical essay and provides a quick overview of its key components.
  • Annotated Bibliography
    As part of the Writer's Handbook, this page provides information on the content, writing style, and different types of annotations used to compile an annotated bibliography.
  • Application Essay
    The U-W Madison Writing Center has compiled a detailed profile of how to submit an application, with brainstorming ideas, FAQs, and useful writing tips.
  • Argument
    This web site explores the key essential elements of argumentation, including making a claim, evidence, counterargument, and critical reading.
  • Biography Maker
    This Bellingham Schools web site guides students through a logical approach to writing biographical papers.
  • Business Writing see Workplace Writers
    This OWL (Online Writing Lab) guide to business writing includes letters of application, cover letters, resumes, and other business correspondence.
  • Cause and Effect
    Part of the Online Research and Learning Center sponsored by the Gale Group, this web guide outlines the basics of writing cause and effect paper with examples of possible topic areas.
  • Comparison / Contrast Essays
    As part of the LEO: Literacy Education Online database, this site provides a basic overview of how to write effective comparison / contrast essays.
  • Critical Reviews
    This Writer's Handbook page focuses on how to write a critical review of a book or article.
  • The Definition Essay
    This LEO web site provides a simple, quick, easy to follow guide to writing a "definition" essay.
  • Developing a Thesis Statement
    Another Writer's Handbook excerpt, this site has simply written, easily understandable instructions on constructing an effective thesis statement.
  • Developing an Introduction: The Top-Down Model
    This LEO source illustrates a model for composing effective introductory statements.
  • Developing an Outline
    This OWL guide focuses on constructing and using an outline in the term paper process.
  • Division and Classification
    After explaining what division and classification essays are, this Gale Group resource provides information on how to write each type and includes suggested topic areas.
  • Guide to Writing a Basic Essay
    This self-help source describes the fundamental parts of an essay and explains how to write each section.
  • Guidelines on Preparing a Philosophy Paper
    Associate Professor James Pryor of Princeton University has developed a comprehensive, easy to use resource for writing philosophy research papers.
  • Guides to Writing Business Letters
    The Colorado State University resource reviews the basics of writing business letters and provides examples of the most commonly used types.
  • Is it a Magazine or a Journal?
    Minnesota West Libraries have set up a quick, easy-to-use web page that shows the differences between a magazine article and a journal article.
  • Laboratory Reports
    The University of Toronto's Engineering Communication Centre has compiled a detailed guide on how to prepare effective laboratory reports.
  • Narration
    This Gale Group resource focuses on different types of narratives, explores the use of flashbacks, flash forwards, and dialogue, and includes a useful "narration checklist."
  • Paragraphs and Topic Sentences
    This Writing Tutorial Services resource discusses paragraph structure, providing information on developing coherence with examples of useful transitional devices.
  • Personal Statements and Application Letters
    Part of the WTS pamphlet series, this resource explains the basics of writing personal statements to accompany letters of application for jobs, internships, etc.
  • Plagiarism - What It is and How to Recognize & Avoid It
    This WTS web page focuses on what plagiarism is and how to avoid it in writing a research paper.
  • Poetry Explications
    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Writing Center highlights the essential elements used to analyze poetry and describes the explication process.
  • Primary or Secondary Source?
    This Minnesota West Libraries guide includes an excellent description of both primary and secondary sources, focusing on their key differences.
  • Proofreading for Common Surface Errors...
    This WTS guide explains how to proofread a research paper with detailed discussions of grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.
  • Proposal Writing
    • Guide for Writing A Funding Proposal
      By combining writing hints with detailed examples, Dr. S. Joseph Levine of Michigan State University has prepared an easy to use primer on the funding proposal process.
    • Proposal Writing Short Course
      Helping fulfill the Foundation Center's goal of "promoting public understanding of the field and helping grant seekers succeed," this site includes the basics of proposal writing.
  • A Questioning Toolkit
    This excerpt from the online journal, From Now On, discusses the various types of questions that can be asked during the writing process and includes various examples of these questions.
  • Quoting and Paraphrasing
    This Writer's Handbook source includes an overview of the proper methods for quoting and paraphrasing sources in a research project.
  • Reading, Writing, and Researching for History
    The Bowdoin College History Department has prepared a comprehensive guide specifically geared to the writing process as it applies to historical research.
  • Resume Writing
    As part of the Career & Job Finding Resources link, this section includes excellent resources for writing resumes and cover letters.
  • Scientific Reports
    This Writer's Handbook web site presents a detailed description of how to research, format, and compose a scientific report, including useful "tips" on what to avoid in these reports. See also the Sample Lab Report Assignment.
  • Sentence Construction
    This OWL section reviews the basics of sentence construction, noting types of clauses, common errors, and punctuation.
  • Speeches
    Compiled by the UNC Writing Center, this guide presents an excellent overview of planning, researching, drafting, and delivering an effective oral presentation.
  • Strategies for Writing a Conclusion
    Another LEO extract, this web page reviews the basic approaches to composing an effective concluding section.
  • Taking an Essay Exam
    This Writing Center resource focuses on successful techniques for preparing, analyzing, and completing essay exams.
  • Ten Prewriting Exercises for Personal Narratives
    Traci Gardner has devised a quick overview of the key elements to be included in writing a personal story or narrative.
  • Tutorial on the Problem Solving Process
    This resource features a step-by-step guide on how to organize and conduct a problem solving project.
  • Writing A Process Essay
    Part of the LEO database, this source demonstrates the basic steps in writing a "process" paper.
  • Writing About... These Texas & M University online resources provide basic checklists for various writing projects.
  • Writing Abstracts
    This LEO web site explains what an abstract is and shows how to write a basic abstract.
  • Writing An Analytical Essay
    Dr. Mark Setzler of High Point University provides a quick overview of developing the thesis statement and topic sentences for an analytical essay.
  • Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students
    Using various sample documents, the University of Vermont teaches students how to compose lab reports, presentation slides, posters, correspondence, etc.
  • Writing Papers of Literary Analysis
    Western Michigan University's Seamus Cooney provides an easy to follow "game plan" for critical writing on literary topics.
  • Writing with Statistics
    Aimed at student researchers, this OWL site includes basic definitions, examples of charts / tables, and other general hints on the effective use of statistics.
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Legal Writing


Newspaper Writing

    Drawn from diverse web sites such as ESOL News Network, Jprof, Media Awareness Network, and SNN Newsroom,
    the following resources provide detailed information and descriptions of various newspaper writing styles, story types,
    and other essential journalism writing techniques.

Researching and Writing the Report


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University Online Writing Centers


    The following web sources include series of user guides and online handouts that provide instruction in the various aspects of
    report writing. Since the "How to" Sources... pages above were found at the university web sites shown below, consult these
    writing center hyperlinks for additional tutorial assistance and other topics useful in the writing process.




  "Writing & Research Guides" is best viewed with the Internet Explorer browser. Comments on this document may be emailed to   John Deosdade at:   jdeosdade@alamo.edu


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