Online Resources
In addition to the original writing resources that we create at the Writing Center and post on our Homegrown Handouts page, there are many other excellent resources that are available on the web. Refer to the links below.
Grammar and Punctuation
- Adjective or Adverb?
- Apostrophes
- Appositives
- Articles
- Capitalization
- Commas
- Commas vs. Semicolons
- Conditionals
- Conjunctions
- Dangling Modifiers
- Demonstratives: This and That
- Fragments and Run-ons
- Gerunds
- Hyphens
- Independent and Dependent Clauses
- Modal Verbs
- Numbers
- Prepositions
- Pronouns
- Punctuation Overview
- Qualifiers
- Quotation Marks
- Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes
- Sentence Fragments
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Verb Tenses (from Purdue OWL)
- Verb Tenses (from UNC Writing Center)
The Writing Process
- Audience
- Brainstorming
- Conclusions
- Developing an Outline
- Editing and Proofreading Strategies
- Introductions
- Note-Taking
- Paragraphs
- Paragraph Development
- Prewriting (Invention)
- Reorganizing Drafts
- Revising Drafts
- Self-Editing Checklist
- Thesis Statements
- Transitions
Concision, Clarity, and Effectiveness
- Active and Passive Voice
- Appropriate Language
- Coherence: Transitions between Ideas
- Gender-Fair Use of Language
- Gender-Neutral Language
- Improving Sentence Clarity
- One Thousand Useful Words
- Parallel Structure
- Passive Voice
- Sentence Variety
- Should I Use "I"?
- Stereotypes and Biased Language
- Style
- Word Choice
General Writing Resources
- College Writing
- Coping with Writing Anxiety/Writer's Block
- Getting Feedback
- Guide to Grammar and Writing
- Oxford English Dictionary
- Procrastination
- Reading To Write
- Understanding Assignments
- Writing Anxiety
Research
- Evaluating Print Sources
- Evaluating Sources of Information
- Paraphrasing
- Plagiarism
- Quotations
- Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
- Resources for Documenting Sources
- Searching the World Wide Web
Library Resources
The SJSU Library offers online resources and tutorials in important topics related to research, plagiarism, and source citations.
- InfoPower Research Skills Tutorial
- Online Tutorials (e.g., using Google Scholar or finding peer-reviewed articles)
- Plagiarism Libguide
- RefWorks
Documentation Styles
Different disciplines use different formatting styles. Familiarize yourself with the citation style guide that is used in your field of study.
- APA (American Psychological Association) Style
- APA Style Basics (Tutorial)
- ASA (American Sociological Association) Style
- ASA Style (Quick Tips)
- Chicago Manual of Style
- Chicago Style Citation Quick Guide
- IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Style
- MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
Specific Writing Tasks and Assignments
- Abstracts
- Annotated Bibliographies
- Argument
- Argumentation/Persuasion: Logic in Argumentative Writing
- Comparing/Contrasting
- Dissertations
- Essay Exams
- Honors Theses
- Literary Analysis
- Literature Reviews
- Oral History
- Poetry Explications
- Research Proposals
- Resources for Preparing Presentations
- Rhetorical Analysis
- Scientific Research Reports
- Speeches
Professional Writing
The SJSU Career Center offers advising and resources in important topics related to resumes, cover letters, and other professional writing. Their resumes and cover letters page provides information and links to useful videos and handouts.
The following external links offer additional information about professional writing.
- Application Essays
- Business Letters
- Business Letters: Accentuating the Positives
- Cover Letters: Quick Tips - Preparing to Write - Writing Your Cover Letter
- CVs and Resumes
- Email Communication
- Grant Proposals
- Letters Concerning Employment
- Management Resumes
- Reference Sheets
- Resumes: Introduction to Resumes - Resume Sections - When to Use Two Pages or More - Scannable Resumes
- Resume Design
- Skills Inventory
- Tailoring Employment Documents to a Specific Audience
- Terms & Tips for the International Student's Job Search
- Writing the Curriculum Vitae
- Writing the Personal Statement
Resources for English Language Learners (ELL)
Refer to these resources if you are an international student or an English Language Learner. Many of our Homegrown Handouts will be also be helpful as you study the language.
- Activities for ESL Students
- ESL Cafe
- ESL Mania
- International Students' Library Research Guide (from SJSU King Library)
- Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
- Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
- Resources for ESL Students (from the Purdue Online Writing Lab)
- Speaking Tips for Non-Native Speakers
- Visuwords: Visual Dictionary and Thesaurus
WST Information
All undergraduate students at SJSU must take and pass the WST (Writing Skills Test). For more information, refer to the following resources provided by the SJSU Testing Office. Please note that the Writing Center is not directly affiliated with the WST.