Writing Skills

The following list is to aid you in finding relevant educational resources on the World Wide Web on Writing Skills.

Computers And Studying
We recommend that you use your computer to write. There are many excellent word processing packages that are designed to help writers. These include programs like WORD, Bank Street Writer, WordPerfect, Works, ClarisWorks, and Appleworks that help you learn to use the writing process. In addition, these programs contain features to check spelling and grammar.
http://www.kidzone.com/ecc/ssmart23.htm

Correcting Students' Writing (by Bryan Murphy)
Little research seems to have been done on the effectiveness or otherwise of the ways in which teachers "correct" student compositions. This is hardly surprising, since it is hard enough to measure progress in writing skill, let alone relate it to specific teacher behaviour. The only relevant study I have come across thus concerned itself with whether the kinds of correction and comment matched the students' expectations...
http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/Techniques/Murphy-CorrectingWriting.html

Defining Grammar & Mechanics?
What is Grammar & Mechanics?
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/GrmMec1.htm

Defining Writing Structure (by Gail Kluepfel)
What is Writing Structure?
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/WrtStr1.htm

E-mail Activities in the ESL Writing Class (by Ron Belisle)
This article explores the student and teacher benefits of using electronic mail (e-mail) in an ESL writing class. It also explains several e-mail writing activities and sample assignments that have proven useful in a program with first and second year Japanese English majors at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute (MFWI) in Spokane, WA USA. MFWI is a branch campus for English majors at Mukogawa Daigakuin in Nishinomiya, Japan...

The Essay Checklist (by Bob Nelson)
When writing an essay, follow these eight basic steps: 1.Consider the first paragraph of the essay: ...
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/WrtStr3.htm

Four Key Spelling Rules
1. Write "i" before "e" except after "c," or when sounding like "a" as in "neighbor" and "weigh." When the "ie/ei" combination is not pronounced "ee," it is usually spelled "ei." Examples: reign, foreign, weigh, neighbor Exceptions: fiery, friend, mischief, view
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/SplLng2.htm

Gender Differences in Taiwan Business Writing Errors (by Judy F.Chen )
This study demonstrates the ease with which computers can be integrated into the writing class and how that integration can play a role in helping a teacher achieve a deeper understanding of his/her students' abilities and progress. In this case, I was able to examine the differences between males and females in the same classes, using identical software and receiving the same type of computer generated error feedback...
http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/Articles/Chen-GenderDifs/

Global Warming: A Cause and Effect Writing Lesson (by Amy Ogasawara)
The teacher should provide students with several articles about global warming. (Articles can be found in the English newspapers, textbooks, and from the internet.) Included with these articles should be a note-taking worksheet to help students identify the main points and in particular, all causes and effects discussed in the articles...
http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/Lessons/Ogasawara-Warming.html

Guidelines for Writing Essays in Literature Classes (by Gail Kluepfel)
1.Brainstorm the question/assignment: Restate key words in the assignment with synonyms or in your own words. Use these equivalent terms throughout your paper to keep focused.
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/WrtStr4.htm

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
A modifier is a word or group of words that describes another word and makes its meaning more specific. Often modifying phrases add information about location (where), when or how something is done. A modifier works best when it is right next to the word it modifies For example, consider the modifiers in the following sentence (they are underlined for you): "The awesome dude rode a wave breaking on the shore." ...
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/GrmMec3.htm

MLA-Style Citations of Electronic Sources
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used for identifying research sources. This style does not use footnotes to identify a source when it is quoted in your paper. Instead, you briefly identify sources in the text of your paper, and give the complete description of each source in your Bibliography. The bibliography is a list of all the sources you used in your paper, arranged alphabetically by author's last name, or when there is no author, by the first word of the title.
http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/education/hcc/library/mlahcc.html

Organize Your Term Papers with the Note Card System
When it comes to organizing information for a term paper or even a short two or three page paper, the "Note Card System" can be very useful. By using this system, you create note cards from blank 3x5 or 5x7 index cards that you fill with information pertinent to the subject that you are researching.
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/OrgStr2.htm

Reading and Writing through Neuro-Linguistic Programming (by Tom Maguire)
A three minute introduction to "Neuro-Linguistic Programming" would go like this: Ladies and Gentlemen, to be successful in life you only need to remember three things:
1.Firstly, know what you want; have a clear idea of your goal in each situation.
2.Secondly, be alert and keep your senses open so as to know what you are getting.
3.Thirdly, be flexible enough to change your behaviour until you get what you want.
http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/Techniques/Maguire-NLP.html

Spelling
What is Spelling?
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/SplLng1.htm

Teaching Integrated Writing Skills (by Dr. Cecilia B-Ikeguchi)
This article was published in the International Journal for Teachers of Writing Skills. (January, 1997). This paper presents a technique in the Advance Writing Class that has been proven successful in teaching the skills of summarizing, outlining, expressing opinion through the medium of writing. In integrating Writing Lessons with reading, speaking and of course listening, students are able to produce dynamic writing output...
http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/Techniques/Ikeguchi-IntegrWrite.html

Thesis and Dissertation Completion: The "Conscience Program"
The Conscience Program helps the graduate student complete the research and writing of the thesis or dissertation quickly and effectively.
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/conscien.html

Tips on Becoming a Good Speller
1. Always check for the correct pronounciation of the word--this will help you remember how to spell the word...
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/SplLng3.htm

Transitional Words & Sentences (by Uzma Hussain, RutgersUniversity)
Using transitional words and phrases help papers read more smoothly by providing coherence. A coherent paper allows the reader to flow from the first supporting point to the last. Transitions indicate relations, whether from sentence to sentence, or from paragraph to paragraph. This is a list of "relationships" which supporting ideas may have, followedby a list of "transitional" words and phrases which can connect those ideas.
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/WrtStr9.htm

12 TIPS FOR BETTER WRITING
1.Avoid the Run-on Sentence: 2.Avoid the Sentence Fragment: ...
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/GrmMec2.htm

Using Commas
his exercise will help to determine how well you know where and when to use commas. Insert commas where needed in the following sentences. Then read the explanations below...
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/GrmMec4.htm

Writing a Persuasive Essay (by Soraya Goga, Rutgers University)
Writing a good persuasive essay is largely overcoming fear; believing in what you write; confidently communicating in writing.
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/WrtStr8.htm

Writing An Effective Expository Essay (by Pat Grove)
When writing an essay, follow these eight basic steps: 1.Select a topic. Be sure the topic is narrow enough to make it manageable within the space of an essay...
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/WrtStr2.htm

Writing & Composition
Defining Writing Structure?...
http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/WrtStr.htm

Writing Essays and Reports (Papers)
Aside from exams, papers are probably the most popular means at the university for evaluating students' abilities and skills. Papers are difficult for a number of reasons:
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/essay.html

Writing Examinations
The written exam is the most prevalent means of evaluating student learning, at the university. So -- Be Prepared!
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/exam.html

Writing Papers, Part 1
There are two major parts of writing a good paper. The first is to develop the ideas and prepare a first draft. The second part is to develop and refine your ideas and to produce a final paper
http://www.kidzone.com/ecc/ssmart21.htm

Writing Papers, Part 2
In this lesson, your will learn more about organizing, revising, and completing a good paper.
http://www.kidzone.com/ecc/ssmart22.htm

Writing Skills: Spelling

http://www.stthomas.edu/www/lab_http/sgs/SplLng.htm