Writing resources

Comprehensive Web sites & writing labs

Webster University Online Writing Center

http://www.webster.edu/acadaffairs/asp/wc/

Webster University students may submit papers by email to the writing coaches at the Online Writing Center on the main campus. The Writing Center is part of the Academic Resource Center.

LEO: Literacy Education Online (St. Cloud State University)

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/

Innovative arrangement provides links to writing aids based on self-diagnosed problems (e.g., "My writing doesn't flow") or interests (e.g., "I need information on writing to get a job").

Online Resources for Writers (Amherst College)

http://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/support/writingcenter/resourcesforwriters/

Gateway to resources at academic institutions and other sites that provide instruction in the writing process.

On-Line Writing Lab (Purdue University)

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Sources provide writing help, links to other writing labs, and Internet links for various subjects.

Paradigm Online Writing Assistant

http://www.powa.org/

This award winning site written by an English teacher offers help for choosing a topic, organizing, revising, editing and citing your writing. It gives guidance for writing different types of essays covering informal, thesis/support, exploratory, and argumentive essays.

Style & grammar sources

The Elements of Style Online

http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html

An online version of William Strunk's classic work. Provides helpful rules concerning usage and composition.

Guide to Grammar and Style (Jack Lynch)

http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/

Basic discussions of the parts of grammar. Users can find information on their topic via an index or by using the search engines provided.

Guide to Grammar and Writing

http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm

Covers basic grammar and usage rules, with good examples for each point; sample letters, resumes, and memos; guidance on the writing process; quizzes; and, related web sites. Also has a form for submitting your grammar questions.

Online English Grammar

http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/

Easy to use source for basic points of English grammar. Provides a table of contents and an index.

Dictionaries & related tools

Merriam-Webster Online

http://www.m-w.com/

Provides a dictionary and thesaurus, as well as assorted information and activities with words.

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) (Webster/Eden only)

http://library3.webster.edu/login?url=http://dictionary.oed.com

A historical dictionary of English which traces words back to their entry into the language. Each entry describes where the word came from and shows how it has been used in various writings through the years. Continuously updated to include language from the present day. At the OED opening screen, click "Enter OED Online" to begin searching.