Online writing centres
Below are some sites available from colleges and universities for anyone looking for help with academic writing, grammar, mechanics, planning, critical reading, critical thinking, and study skills.
The five-paragraph essay
- Tutorial from the University of Texas on writing a five-paragraph essay; excellent step-by-step information
- Clear steps for writing a five-paragraph essay from Centennial College
- From Maricopa Community College ideas on the expanded five-paragraph essay
- About.com and how to write a five-paragraph essay
- From Gallaudet University a sample essay by John Langan as a five-paragraph theme; excellent example to deconstruct
- From Jackson State Community College several useful pages on the five-paragraph essay along with information about topic sentences and thesis statements
- From Regent University Writing Center a template for a working outline (pdf) as you plan your practice 5-paragraph essay
- From Taft College a sample of a 5-paragraph essay
- Planning, organizing, and writing essays with two sample essays from the University of Victoria
Grammar, Usage, Punctuation
- A comprehension site with extensive grammar links and good academic writing links from Purdue University.
- Excellent site called Hypergrammar with exercises on sidebar from the Writing Centre, University of Ottawa.
- Excellent grammar exercises which can be done online
- Excellent handouts about the writing process, about grammar, and about punctuation from Mount Saint Vincent University
- Useful list of handouts about academic writing, grammar, taking tests or exams, and academic reading from the University of Manitoba.
- Excellent site that includes the writing process, punctuation, grammar and style from Queen's University
About Academic Writing
- Advice on academic writing from the University of Toronto
- A useful set of links about academic writing and writing conventions from the University College of the Fraser Valley
- Excellent writer's guide from the University of Victoria
- Useful links about academic writing from Concordia University
- Effective writing handouts from the University of Western Ontario
Excellent lists of links to online sources for writers
- From the University of British Columbia a most useful list of links to online sources for post-secondary writers
- A wonderful list of writing resources on a wide variety of topics from the University of Lethbridge library
- Links to research writing, documentation styles, and writing guides from the University of Alberta library
- Excellent source lists and links about academic writing, drafting your papers, and writing for different disciplines from Simon Fraser University
Tips on Timed Writing or Writing on Demand
For information on how to write essays in a timed situation for placement tests or exams, visit the sites below. You will pick up valuable tips about planning, managing your time, managing stress, and developing good habits in connection with timed writing sessions.
- "Timed Essays-Top 5 Tips" from Seton Hill University
- "Timed Writing Strategies" originating from Skyline College
- "Helping Students with Timed Writing Essays" from Richard Stockton College in the U.S.
- "Pointers for Timed Writing" from Southern University and A&M College