Online Writing Resources

The Student Writing Center Writing Advisors are currently working on this page.  You can watch our work at the SLCC Student Writing Center Writing Advisor Collabatron 3000.

SLCC Department Web Sites

• Developmental Writing
• English

Comprehensive

• Basic Guide to Essay Writing is an easy to navigate, easy to read site that outlines and explains the basic steps for writing an essay. Both beginning and advanced college writers will benefit from the simplified suggestions and format that are perfect for quick reference.

Starting Out

• RLC - The Writing Process - What Is My Point?  Having trouble writing a thesis statement? Try this sight. Fill in the blanks, answer clarifying questions, and create a thesis that will help you focus your thoughts and get started on your paper.

Responding to Writing

English as a Second Language

• BBC World Service
• A grammar page
• Voice of America
• Listening Lounge
• CNN Literacynet.org
  

English Language

• Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary is a solid online dictionary based on the Merriam-Webster print edition, complete with audible pronunciation.

Writing Style & Citation (including style & formatting guides)

• SLCC Student Writing Center "Documenting Sources Using MLA Style" (PDF).
  Purdue OWL MLA style and formatting guide including "In text citations:  the basics" and MLA "Works cited page:  basic format."  (See subsections for more information).
• Purdue OWL APA style and formatting guide.  (See subsections for more information.)
• MLA Citation Game This is a fun website for citations from the U of Washington, most are boring but this one is a game! It gives four examples of APA and then four of MLA, you have to place the info in the right spot, try it!
• Son of Citation Machine A cite that helps writers create citation in various styles including APA, Terubian, MLA, and Chicago Style.
•  Citation Practice:  Crediting Your Sources This source is a tutorial/quiz from the University of Albany to help you learn how to avoid plagiarism and cite your sources properly.
• Noodle Tools has a citation builder.

Grammar and usage

University of Chicago Writing Program's Grammar Resources on the Web.  A list of reviewed grammar resources.

Purdue OWL provides some of the most comprehensive grammar information on the web.

Punctuation

The Purdue Owl has excellent resources on punctuation.

Research

• Writer's Almanac from American Public Media.  Garrison Keillor hosts this daily tour through arcane facts from the day in history as well as a daily poem.

Writing Models

• The personal essay (NPR "This I Believe" series):  "This I Believe" is a series modeled after an identically-named radio series in the 1950's. Each essay is written by a listener who has written a careful, thoughtful, but amateur essay.