Web Resources for Language Arts
National
Writing Centers Association
This site features links to a wealth of writing and grammar
resources on the Web.
Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute Writing Center Handouts
An excellent series covering a variety of topics. Many will
find "Basic Prose Style and Mechanics" and "Writing with
Gender-Fair Language" especially useful.
Purdue
University Online Writing Lab
The Resources for Writers section offers over 130
instructional hadouts, many with exercises. Topics range
from specific points of grammar ("Pronoun Case") to general
surveys of writing technique ("Strategies for Improving Sentence
Clarity").
Garbl's
Writing Resources Online
An extensive annotated list of Web sites devoted to writing
and grammar, organized into such categories as The Writing
Process, Grammar Guides, Plain Language,
and Wordplay. Maintained by Gary B. Larson, a senior
communications officer at the King County (Washington) Department
of Transportation.
Elements
of Style
An online version of William Strunk Jr.'s classic. First
published in 1918, its emphasis on helping students express
themselves in clear, straightforward language keeps it fresh
and inspiring.
Grammar
Hotline Directory
Need a quick answer to a grammar question? This site from
Tidewater Community College provides a state-by-state listing
of grammar hotlines, including phone numbers and E-mail addresses.
An
On-Line English Grammar
Communications consultant Anthony Hughes gives grammar rules
in very condensed form followed by examples. Especially useful
for the examples, which unlike many others sound like things
people would actually say. (A few of the examples do betray
the site's British origins, e.g. "I'd rather live in a house
than in a flat.")
Common
Errors in English
Paul Brians, Professor of English at Washington State University,
provides brief discussions of many common errors, with an
emphasis on frequently misused or confused words such as flout and flaunt.
A
Handbook of Rhetorical Devices
This site by Robert Harris, Professor of English at Southern
California College, gives clear explanations and effective
examples of over 60 rhetorical figures. A good source of
ideas (to be used in moderation) for advanced composition
students.
Karla's
Guide to Citation Style Guides
Students may find that compiling a list of references in
the proper format is one of the most difficult parts of a
research paper or report. This thorough, annotated list of
sources, by Karla Tonella of the University of Iowa School
of Journalism, should help.
For
Young Writers
Part of the larger "Inkspot" site, this area is full
of useful departments - contests, links, features, and discussion
forums – for the aspiring writer aged 18 and under.
MidLink
This award-winning online magazine, for writers 8-18, also
features writers from around the world. The site includes
a Teacher Resource room, offering advice on using
the magazine in the classroom. |
