Purdue University Writing Department - Research Paper Example

Writing Sites Purdue Online Writing Lab This site is from a highly reputable source, ly Purdue Writing Department. It contains a broad array of useful information, but undoubtedly the most useful is its explanation of how to properly reference material. In these regards, the site contains some of the most useful information on the internet about the intricacies of proper citation and formatting in a number of styles. 2. Why cite? This site considers the importance of citing material in literary essays. There are a great number of reasons why individuals must use MLA citations within their works ("Writing Center"). One of the most pervasive reasons is to avoid plagiarism in ones work. Without including adequate citation, it would be impossible for the reader to discern which ideas are ones own and which are simply retreads of another persons thoughts. Finally, citation allows future writers to examine ones ideas in more depth and build on them in future essays. In these regards, one might think of the literary essay as a sort of science experiment, with citations the articulation of the method by which it was accomplished. 3. Guide to Grammar and Writing This site contains drop box menus that allow individuals to research various aspects related to grammar and writing. With the great variety of topics, including structuring ones essay, stylistic advice, and even the smallest grammatical information, I believe the site is highly effective as a writing resource. I have few complaints about the site, but some individuals might find that because of its breadth of information it does not contain information in enough depth in certain of its categories; however, as a broad reference tool this is a great utility. 4. Point of View This site examines the utilization of point of view within creative fiction writing. I believe it is useful as it gives information about point of view that can be incorporated into analysis essays. It is a very limited site however, with minimal scope. 5. Writing Your Literary Analysis This site considers the nature of structuring a literary essay. It states that in structuring a literary essay there are a number of guidelines that must be adhered ("Literary Essay Structure"). All analytic literary essays must begin with an introduction. The introduction must contain a thesis statement that tells the reader what specific subjects will be examined in the body paragraphs of the essay. The final element of the literary essay is the conclusion paragraph. The conclusion begins with a restatement of the thesis statement. The conclusion then summarizes the main points explored in the body paragraphs, and sometimes extends them to universal human concerns. 6. Writers Digest In great part the weakness of this site is that it is not constructed for students but writing professionals seeking advice on how to advance their careers. However, it is useful if one checks the tips section, there are a number of useful elements that can be incorporated into student essays. 7. English – writing This site is less one devoted to specific information about writing, as it is a database that has links to a wide variety of sites with writing guides. I examined a number of the links, and this is a great resource for finding writing guides. The only weakness is that the links are not categorized to give information about the types of information on the writing guides. 8. Writing Center handouts This site is extremely useful in that it contains handouts from the University of North Carolina writing center. There is an extremely broad array of subjects covered, from grammar to style, and even subject specific information, such as anthropology. The handouts are also well structured and insightful. 9. Leo: literacy education online This site is extremely interesting as it is interactive in its approach. It includes sentences that discuss specific areas where individuals might have trouble with their writing. Each sentence contains links that the individual can follow. The links then contains information on how the individual can improve the specific problem. 10. Pardigm Online Writing Assessment This site is very useful as a writing tool as it has a number of pertinent information directed for students constructing analytical essays. In these regards it stands out from a number of the other sites, as it is singular concentration on high school and university student writing makes it so that great amounts of specific and detailed information on writing can be gained. 11. Introducing Plain Language This site is unique in that it doesnt offer structural advice about essays, but explores the topic in terms of stylistics. In these regards, the site argues that effective essays must utilize plain language to achieve their greatest effects. It argues that in not using plain language essays run the risk of misunderstandings and ineffective communication. 12. Dr. Jays Write Home Page This website is the home page of a college professor. While it contains a number of extraneous elements relating to his class schedules and the like, there is also a lengthy section that contains specific links to handouts and other sites that target specific writing issues. Its highly useful as many of the topics are those not regularly covered in terms of traditional writing discussions. 13. English Works! This is run of the mill site on writing from Gaudellet University. In contains information relating to structuring essays and proper ways to cite information. While the information is useful and informative there is nothing about it that distinguishes it from other more informative sites. In this regards, it is best avoided for more informative writing sites. 14. Virtual Writing Center While much of the information on this site can be found on other sites in more depth and specificity, there are a number of notable features. Perhaps the most important element is that the site has information designed for higher level essays. This includes how to structure an abstract, proper citations templates, and similar information for structuring ones essay for grad school or similar level of achievement. 15. Writing in College This site is unique and effective in that it considers how individuals should structure and compose essays for college courses as compared to high school. It is the only site reviewed that explores this connection, offering specific examples where individuals need to go beyond established high school standards and write at a college level. 16. Advice on Academic Writing This site is a writing site from the University of Toronto. It contains information on how to construct essays in terms of planning and organization, citation, style and editing, and English as a second language. While much of the information can be found on other sites, the site design itself is appealing, so individuals may want to find information from this site over the others. 17. Institute for Writing and Rhetoric This is a writing site established by Dartmouth University. It contains general information on structuring essays, but also uniquely contains information on specific types of essays within for different classes and departments. For instance, it includes information on writing social science essays, regular sciences, and the humanities. I would recommend the site based on this category alone. 18. How to Write a Bibliography While the information contained on this page is found on many sites elsewhere some individuals may prefer this site because it presents the information in a direct and easy to understand way. Among the topics covered include adding footnotes, a works cited page, parenthetical references, and in-text quotes. 19. Thesis Statement This site is unique in that it specifically examines how to best construct a thesis statement. While most writing sites address this topic to some degree its helpful to have a more focused perspective on it. In these regards, varying ways to structure a thesis statement are explored, including listing what the essay will cover and including HOW it will be covered. 20. How to write a term paper While this site is structured for writing a lengthy research paper, much of the information can be applied to students writing analytical papers. For instance, it gives advice about collecting information on 3 X 5 cards that can then be used to develop an outline. One could easily structure this information to develop better argumentative qualities in essays. In these regards, its an important site for developing more textured and convincing essays. References Dr. jays write home page. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.csun.edu/~vcecn006/ Easton, E.L. (2009). English -- writing. Retrieved from http://eleaston.com/writing.html English works!. (2007). Retrieved from http://tip.gallaudet.edu/englishworks.xml "Guide to Grammar and Writing." Capital Community Organization, n.d. Web. 3 Nov 2010. . How to write a term paper. (2009). Retrieved from http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/howto.html Institute for writing and rhetoric. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/index.html Introducing plain language. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.web.net/~plain/PlainTrain/IntroducingPlainLanguage.html Leo: literacy education online. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/ Livingston, K. . (2007). How to write a bibliography. Retrieved from http://www.aresearchguide.com/12biblio.html Paradigm online writing assessment. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.powa.org/ Procter, M. (2008). Advice on academic writing. Retrieved from http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice Purdue online writing lab. (2008). Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ Thesis statement. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml Virtual writing center. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/writecenter/web/handouts.html "Why Cite?." The Writing Center. Yale University , n.d. Web. 3 Nov 2010. . Wiehardt, Ginny. (n.d.). Point of view. Retrieved from http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/crafttechnique/a/pointofview.htm William, J. (2009). Writing in college. Retrieved from http://writing- program.uchicago.edu/resources/collegewriting/ Writers digest. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.writersdigest.com/GeneralMenu/ Writing center handouts. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/ "Writing Your Literary Analysis." Literary Essay Structure. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov 2010. . Read More