Tutorials and Helpful Information
HANDOUTS FROM MTSU’S WRITING CENTER Here you’ll find a wealth of handouts from our friends at the University Writing Center at Middle Tennessee State University, covering:
GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION, AND OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS
Here, you’ll find exercises and helpful info on some of the most common trouble areas in student writing. All of the information under this heading is borrowed from Purdue University’s OWL (Online Writing Lab). Peruse the OWL site further for help with virtually any aspect of writing and research.
COMMAS
Commas with Nonessential Elements Exercise
OVERVIEW OF COMMA USE RULES (a great, comprehensive review that just might cure you of some misunderstanding or bad habits)
APOSTROPHES ( They may get no respect in text messaging, but make sure you use them—-and use them correctly—-in your writing, whether causal, academic, or professional.)
SENTENCE FRAGMENTS
OVERVIEW OF SENTENCE FRAGMENTS — WHY THEY HAPPEN AND HOW TO FIX THEM
ELIMINATING WORDINESS IN YOUR SENTENCES
3 Fabulous Rules for Eliminating Wordiness in Your Sentences (So helpful!)
Eliminating Wordiness Exercise I
Eliminating Wordiness Exercise II
QUOTING, PARAPHRASING, AND SUMMARIZING (If you’re using sources in your writing, you need to review this. No question.)
OVERVIEW OF QUOTING, PARAPHRASING, AND SUMMARIZING
Writing About Literature
Writing about Literature Diagram
Researching the Paper and Citing Your Sources
Frightened by MLA format? Don’t be. Writing an MLA-style paper is as simple as figuring out what kind of sources you’re using, looking up the correct citation and Works Cited entry format for those sources, and then formatting your citations and Works Cited list accordingly. Just follow the template. You can find all the info you need on MLA format at these sites (among others):
MLA Formatting and Style Guide (from Purdue’s OWL)
MLA Citation Style Guide (color coded for easy use! from Long Island University)
ALSO SEE: Links to citation-creating online tools on the Watkins Writing Center’s homepage.
Creating Effective Search Strategies
Now it’s time to Write
Writing the Paper — Choosing a Topic
How to Put it All Together and on Paper
10 Simple Steps to a Bad Ass Essay
Abstracts and Annotated Bibliographies
How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography : Note: This tutorial covers Annotated Bibliographies and Critical Analysis of Sources, both print and online.
Library
- Library Info
- Search Library Catalog
- Find Images and Articles
- Search Other Libraries
- Library How-To Videos
- Subject Guides
- Ask a Librarian
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Faculty Services
- Library Policies
- ARTchive
- Writing Center
- New Acquisitions
- Zines
- Suggest a Purchase
- User Survey
- Harold-the Library Blog
- Library on Facebook