Resources

The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
This is the largest free online resource for writers. A good search engine helps you find help on specific topics. The site offers direct tips for a great range of academic writing topics, including help on MLA, APA, writing memos, literature reviews, and engineering.

Writing the Academic Paper
Accessible tips for getting started with college-level writing by the Institute for Writing & Rhetoric at Dartmouth University. Features include resources for multilingual writers, writing resumes, and writing in the sciences.

Research writing:

RefWorks & Citation Management
Helps you keep track of your resources as you do research. Also helps choose the right format (MLA, APA, CMS, etc.) for bibliographies and works cited. Ask a tutor to better learn how to use this tool. This site is available through the UIC Library.

Understanding Plagiarism
Examples of proper and incorrect use of sources as well as clear explanations about academic integrity at the Northwestern University’s site, “How to Avoid Plagiarism.”

How to Create a Timeline for Your Writing Assignments
Enter the due date and type of assignment and the “Assignment Calculator” will break down your work into twelve steps to help you stay on track. This Assignment Calculator is offered by the University of Minnesota.

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary
Provides information on which words take articles. Help also on what prepositions to use. Has sample phrases and sentences to help writers check usage.

Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary Online
Another popular learner’s dictionary.