INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS
Introductions (UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center)
This resource contains strategies for writing an effective introduction. It also lists some less effective strategies that should be avoided.
Introductions and Conclusions (Ashford Writing Center)
This resource explains the basics for writing an effective introduction and conclusion in an essay.
Thesis Statements (UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center)
This resource provides a basic overview of how to write a thesis statement. It contains a checklist and examples.
Creating a Thesis Statement, Thesis Statement Tips (Purdue OWL)
This resource contains a very basic overview of analytical, expository, and argumentative thesis statements. It also gives examples.
Developing Strong Thesis Statements (Purdue OWL)
This resource explains how to write a debatable, focused thesis statement for an argument essay. It contains examples.
Video: Thesis Statements (Purdue OWL)
This resource explains how to write an effective thesis statement. It also discusses the rhetorical situation.
Video: Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Statement
In this short video, a professor demonstrates how to construct an effective thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis essay.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
This resource contains information on the elements of a body paragraph (topic sentence, development, unity, coherence). It also contains pointers as to when it’s a good idea to start a new body paragraph in an essay.
Paragraphs (UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center)
This resource explains the process for forming and developing a strong body paragraph. It also contains a guide (with examples) on how to troubleshoot tricky body paragraphs.
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPHS
Conclusions (UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center)
This resource contains strategies for writing an effective conclusion. It also lists some less effective strategies that should be avoided.
Ending the Essay: Conclusions (Harvard Writing Center)
This resource describes how to effectively establish a sense of closure at the end of your essay. It also provides advice on how not to end an essay.
Introductions and Conclusions (Ashford Writing Center)
This resource explains the basics for writing an effective introduction and conclusion in an essay. As it can be a struggle to avoid redundancy when writing an essay’s conclusion, this resource is particularly helpful because it contains side-by-side examples of an introduction and conclusion for the same essay.
Organizing Your Argument (Purdue OWL)
This resource provides a helpful guide on how to organize an argumentative essay. It discusses the Toulmin method, Rogerian method, and Classical method. It also contains step-by-step examples for each method.
Introduction to Paragraphs (WU Writing Center)
This video discusses effective paragraph organization. The video explains the following paragraph structure: 1) topic sentence, 2) source evidence, 3) analysis, and 4) concluding sentence.
Transitions (UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center)
This is an excellent resource on transitions. It explains the importance of transitions, how transitions work, and types of transitions. It also contains a chart with examples of transitional expressions for various purposes.
Video Playlist: Transitions (WU Writing Center)
This playlist contains short videos on the following topics: 1) transitions between paragraphs; 2) transitions within paragraphs; 3) appropriate use of explicit transitions; and 4) incorporating transitions (with examples).
Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing (Purdue OWL)
This resource contains a basic overview of the purposes of (and differences between) quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing sources.
This resource contains six steps to effective paraphrasing. The resource also provides examples of how to paraphrase a quotation without unintentionally plagiarizing.
Quotations (UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center)
This resource explains 1) when and how to strategically use a quotation in an essay; 2) the process for setting up and following up a quotation; 3) how to embed a quotation in a sentence; 4) how to determine length/amount when providing quotations; and 5) how to properly punctuate a quotation.
Video Playlist: Using Quotations (WU Writing Center)
This playlist contains short how-to videos on the following topics: 1) when to use a quotation; 2) shortening quotations with ellipses; 3) integrating quotations using “that” or with a comma; and 4) integrating quotations in the middle of a sentence. Note: The playlist also contains a video on how to cite a quotation, but please note that this particular video illustrates APA style citation rather than MLA style citation.
Video Playlist: Paraphrasing Sources (WU Writing Center)
This playlist contains short videos with strategies and examples for effective paraphrasing. It also contains a video that compares paraphrasing and quoting.
RUN-ON SENTENCES AND FRAGMENTS
Run-On Sentences and Sentence Fragments - Grammar - Academic Guides at Walden University
This resource provides the definition of a run-on sentence, an explanation as well as examples of the two types of run-on sentences, and the various ways in which a student can correct them. Further down on the page is a definition of a fragment, followed by examples of fragments and how they can be revised. Finally, this webpage provides a brief video by the Writing Center on both run-on sentences and fragments.
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
This resource provides a straightforward set of guidelines on how to appropriately connect subjects and verbs.
VERB TENSE CONSISTENCY
This resource explains the three main verb forms (i.e. simple tense, perfect tense, and progressive tense), and then provides information and examples on how to keep verb tense consistent on the sentence level, the paragraph level, and the essay level.
PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION
Parallel Construction - Grammar - Academic Guides at Walden University
This resource provides the basics of parallel construction followed by examples and a brief video.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS
This resource shares a list of some of the most commonly confused words from "accept"/"except" to "you're"/"your." Descriptions, examples, and practice exercises are included.
AVOIDING PASSIVE VOICE
This resource contains an explanation of active vs. passive voice and describes when it is acceptable and unacceptable to use passive voice in writing.
PRONOUN USAGE
This resource explores the three types of pronoun reference errors that can occur: 1) too many antecedents, 2) hidden antecedents, and 3) no antecedent.
APOSTROPHES
Apostrophes | Punctuation Rules
This resource provides an explanation and examples of how to use apostrophes to show possession and to form contractions.
COMMAS
This resource provides a detailed explanation and examples of when to use commas appropriately.
SEMICOLON, COLON, AND DASH
Semicolons, colons, and dashes – The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
This resource provides an explanation and examples of when to use semicolons, colons, and dashes appropriately.
The following resources were used to create this document. Feel free to explore these websites for further tips on how to strengthen your writing:
Ashford University Writing Center - https://writingcenter.ashford.edu
Grammar Book - https://www.grammarbook.com/
Grammarly Blog - https://www.grammarly.com/blog/
Harvard University Writing Center - https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/resources
Purdue Online Writing Lab - https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
Towson University - http://webapps.towson.edu/ows/index.asp
University of North Carolina -- Chapel Hill - https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/
Walden University - https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/composition
The resources on this page were created by Beth Caruso and Downie Perunovich at HCC.
Any questions about these resources should be directed to CompLitCenter@howardcc.edu