Most students struggle with writing sometime during their university career. That struggle can include any part of the writing process from choosing a topic to organizing one’s thoughts to finally getting them on paper with as few errors as possible. One of the important functions of Student Support Services is to assist students with any type of writing assignment in any subject area.
There are three options available for students who need writing assistance.
- Consulting the Writing Specialist in Student Support Services.
- Consulting the Quick Access Reference for Writers, a required textbook for English 101 and English 102 classes.
- Consulting an Internet website.
Writing Specialist
Students who are looking for someone to talk to one-on-one about their writing projects should consult with the Writing Specialist in Student Support Services. The Writing Specialist will discuss with the student the assignment, the student’s needs and areas of weakness in his or her writing skills, proofread the student’s paper, and offer suggestions for improving and revising the paper. The Writing Specialist is also available to assist students in:
| Choosing a topic |
| Documenting resources correctly |
| Creating an outline |
Formatting research papers according to the guidelines
of different documentation styles (MLA, APA, CM, etc.)
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| Using correct grammar and punctuation |
Understanding an instructor’s directions concerning an
assignment |
| Improving sentence structure and word usage |
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Quick Access Reference for Writers
Quick Access Reference for Writers is an invaluable tool for students to consult before and during the writing process. The words quick access refer to exactly what they imply; i.e., the book’s tabs, which contain detailed indexes to each section of the book, direct the reader quickly to all the topics listed above and more.
Quick Access is an important resource for students to consult when writing a research paper.
It both explains and provides examples of how to format a research paper, cite sources, and compile a reference page according to various documentation styles.
Internet
Finally, since many students generally compose at the computer, it is convenient to consult an Internet website for writing assistance. Although there are several websites devoted to writing, grammar, and documentation styles, one site in particular is especially comprehensive and user-friendly:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm
This address takes writers to an index with 427 references to topics associated with writing and documentation, plus there is a search engine that gives writers access to hundreds of topics not listed in the index.
Good writing is challenging and often frustrating. The Writing Specialist in Student Support Services assists students in meeting that challenge and in helping them to improve their writing skills throughout their university careers.
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