Essay Resources
Writing Process | Invention & Design | Different Fields of Study | Organization | Revision & Editing | Specific Writing Tasks | Using Sources | Drafting
The Writing Process
What is meant by the "Writing Process"?
The Writing Process (Cleveland State University Writing Center. ) This page overviews the writing process from invention to revision and editing using a graphic to show recursive nature of the process and also offers links to tips for each stage of the writing process.
Invention and Design
How do I read a writing assignment?
Tips on How to Read an Assignment (University of North Carolina, The Writing Center)
How do I get started writing?
Some Invention Techniques (Southern Illinois University Writing Center, Adobe Acrobat)Planning (Invention) techniques (Purdue Online Writing Center). Suggests a variety of ways to overcome writer's block and begin brainstorming a ideas.
Planning (Invention) for when you start to write (Purdue Online Writing Center) Recommends ways to "percolate" ideas by thinking about purpose and by answering questions.
Invention Thought Starters (Purdue Online Writing Center) Suggests questions to get started brainstorming a topic from a variety of approaches, definition, classification, comparison and contrast, etc.
Organization
How do I write an outline?
Developing an Outline (Purdue Online Writing Center) Describes the purpose and goals of outline a paper as well as how to write an outline. It also offers a sample outline link.
How do I make my ideas coherent and unified?
Transitions (Southern Illinois University Writing Center, Adobe Acrobat) Lists transitional words by their function (contrast, comparison, addition, conclusion, etc.).
Coherence (Purdue Online Writing Center) Describes several ways to create general coherence and unity in an essay from transitions (of which it offers links to examples) to repetition of key words.
Drafting
What's a thesis statement?
Writing a thesis (Purdue Online Writing Center) Defines "thesis statement," discusses a variety of types (expository, argumentative, etc.), suggests tips on writing the thesis statement, and provides links to other resources on thesis statements. See also Writing a Thesis (Franklin and Marshall).
How do I write a wonderful essay?
Tips for Writing An Essay (Southern Illinois University Writing Center, Adobe Acrobat) Offers basic advice on a writing process from getting started to revising.
Four Keys to Effective Writing (Southern Illinois University Writing Center, Adobe Acrobat) Highlights the importance of considering audience, purpose, message, tone & style, in your writing.
How do I write an Introduction?
Introductions (Franklin and Marshall Writing Center).
How do I write a conclusion?
Conclusions (Franklin and Marshall Writing Center).
Revising and Editing
What do those Writing Teacher hieroglyphics in my margins mean?
Common Writing Correction Symbols (Franklin and Marshall Writing Center)
How do I revise and edit my work?
Editing Tips for Your Essays (Southern Illinois University Writing Center, Adobe Acrobat). Offers just what it says--tips on editing. See Also Evaluation Check List for Essay Writing, (Gallaudet University OWL) Offers a check list for an essay using a visual illustration for the essay organization.
How do I revise my "good" paper into an "excellent one?
Revising Good Papers (Franklin and Marshall College Writing Center) This handout focuses on local revision for fine touches in sentence style.
How do I complete a peer-review for a partner?
Peer-Review Tips (University of Wisconsin, Madison Writing Center)
Using Sources
How do I restate other writer's ideas?
How to Paraphrase and Summarize (http://www.utoronto.ca/ucwriting/paraphrase.html) From the University of Toronto.
How do I integrate quotations into my essays?
How to Quote (http://www.utoronto.ca/ucwriting/quotations.html) From the University of Toronto.
How do I acknowledge my sources if I am writing a paper in a Humanities Field of Study?
MLA Style Documentation, Handout Chemeketa College Writing Center.
How do I acknowledge my sources if I am writing in the Social Sciences?
APA in-text Documentation, Handout Chemeketa College Writing Center; See also, APA Reference Page, Handout Chemeketa College Writing Center
How do I document online sources
Online Documentation for APA & MLA (Purdue University Writing Center)
What is an Annotated Bibliography?
Writing Annotated Bibliographies (University of Wisconsin College Writing Center)
Writing for Different Fields of Study
These links highlight the basic principles for writing conventions in specific fields of study.
Writing for Art History (http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/arthistory.html) The University of North Carolina, Writing Center.
Writing in Communication Studies (http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/communications.html) The University of North Carolina, Writing Center.
Writing for History. (http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/history.html) The University of North Carolina, Writing Center.
Writing In Literature (http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/literature.html) The University of North Carolina, Writing Center.
Writing for Philosophy (http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/philosophy.html) The University of North Carolina, Writing Center.
Writing for Political Science (http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/polisci.htm) The University of North Carolina, Writing Center.
Specific Writing Tasks
The following links highlight the writing process for specific academic writing tasks.
Writing an Argument
What is academic argument?
Effective Academic Writing: The Argument (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Writing Center)How do I write a argument?
Logic in Argumentative Writing, (Purdue Online Writing Center) Presents a vocabulary of logic, discusses ways to draw logical conclusions, and defines and offers examples of fallacies.See also Logical Fallacies (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill).
Essay Exams
How do I write for an essay exam?
Essay Exams (From The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)
Reviews
How do I write a review?
Writing a Review(From The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill); See also Writing Book Reviews (http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/bookrev.html) from St. Cloud State University Online Program.
Speeches
How do I write a speech?
Writing a Speech (From The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)
Literary Analysis
How do I write about literature?
Writing a Review of the Literature (http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/litrev.html) From the University of Toronto.
Writing About Fiction (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_fiction.html) Purdue University Writing Center.
Poetry Explications (http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/poetry-explication.html) The University of North Carolina, Writing Center.
How do I write a Play Review?
Play Reviews (University of Wisconsin Writing Center)
How do I quote in my literature papers?
Using Literary Quotations (University of Wisconsin Writing Center)
Scientific Reports
How do I write a science report?
Science reports (University of Wisconsin Writing Center)
Research Papers
How do I write a research paper?
Writing a Research Paper (Southern Illinois University Writing Center, Adobe Acrobat) Offers advice for writing research papers that begins with tips for studying and understanding your assignment and continues through the process of seeking sources, brainstorming ideas on to writing the paper itself. See also Getting Started on a Research Paper (University of Wisconsin Writing Center)
Updated October 2006 by the College Advancement Department.