Writing Center

Resources for Students

Online Writing Manual

Rules for Writers
The website that accompanies the college-approved writing manual, Rules for Writers, by Diana Hacker. The site contains model papers as well as grammar exercises and information on current language debates.

How to Cite Your Sources

Anytime you refer to another writer's works or ideas, you need to acknowledge, or cite, them. How you cite your sources depends on what kind of paper you are writing.

Style Guides

At Carthage, you may be asked by your professor to use a specific citation style depending on what subject you are writing a paper for. Click on a link below to find a comprehensive guide for each style.

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Avoiding Plagiarism

Using Sources
With sections like "How Not to Plagiarize" and "Paraphrase and Summary," this site covers a variety of plagiarism-related topics.

How to Avoid Plagiarism
This site provides helpful guidelines in an easy-to-follow format.

Paraphrasing & Common Knowledge
To cite or not to cite? That is the question ... and here are the answers.

Be Informed: The Consequences
What's considered cheating at Carthage (do you know what "unauthorized collusion" is?) and the possible consequences of plagiarism.

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Learning and Studying

What is your learning style?
Find out how you learn best by taking this fun, simple test. The results give you advice on how to study smarter.

Does studying seem to be harder for you than for other people? Think you might have a learning disability? Click here or here for information.

If you have a learning disability, or think you might, the Advising Center can help!

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Questions About Writing

Rules for Writers
The website that accompanies the college-approved writing manual, Rules for Writers, by Diana Hacker. The site contains model papers as well as grammar exercises and information on current language debates. This site features do-it yourself quizzes on grammar and writing issues, as well as information on paper writing.

Great Advice on almost any writing issue.

Grammar, Punctuation, and Much More
Easy-to-follow handouts on a wide range of grammar and punctuation questions. Brought to you by Purdue Writing Center.

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Specific Kinds of Assignments

Writing A Personal Narrative.

How to write vivid descriptions, use sensory details and what's expected in a personal narrative.

Comparison-Contrast Papers

How to Use Nonsexist Language This site tells you how to get rid of biased word choices.

How to Write a Research Paper An excellent site with step-by-step explanations for writing a research-based paper.

How To Do An Annotated Bibliography Wondering how to do that annotated bibliography for your research paper? Check out this site, which also features examples

How To Write An Abstract [Link temporarily out of service. We apologize for the inconvenience.] A clear guide on how to write an abstract for your social sciences paper.

How to Write A Literature Paper Advice and guidelines on writing about a work of literature.

How To Use Quotes Ever wondered where to put the punctuation mark at the end of a quote? Where to put the page number? How to quote a poem? This site offers answers to all the questions you didn't know you had.

How To Use Statistics A guide for using statistics responsibly in your writing.

Taking An Essay Exam Advice from Indiana University on how to write those all-important questions on the fly.

How to Write Applications and Personal Statements Applying for internships or grad school? This site offers advice on what they're looking for in a personal statement. It even gives a sample statement.

How to Write Cover Letters

Resume Tips

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Revising and Editing

What to do if Your Writing Does Not Flow
Does your teacher write things like "choppy" and "awkward" on your paper? This site tells you how to improve the flow of what you've written.

Revising Prose
This site describes 12 basic principles for good prose style.

How to Proofread Your Paper
You finished writing. Now what?

Strategies for Finding Your Own Errors
An even more comprehensive guide to proofreading.

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ESL Resources

Purdue's Owls Website for ESL Students

Activities for ESL Students
This excellent site includes grammar quizzes, bilingual vocabulary lists, podcasts designed for ESL listeners, and more.

Educational Resources for ESL
This site features comprehensive links for ESL teachers and students.

Dave's ESL Cafe
Here you will find job boards and resume posting for ESL students, as well lists of English slang and other fun resources.

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