TCTC Library: Writing Basics and Resources: Writing

Writing Reference eBooks

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
This newly updated edition of America's favorite dictionary features revised biographical and geographical entries as well as up-to-date charts and tables for topics such as world currencies and chemical elements.
Roget's II the New Thesaurus
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus is Houghton Mifflin's easy to use, accurate, and authoritative English thesaurus. This essential reference offers users the resources of the English language to enhance the expressiveness and accuracy of their communications.
Good Word Guide
Modern communications are breaking down distinctions between formal and informal English, raising ever more questions as to how to speak and write correctly. This fully updated edition of the bestselling Good Word Guide offers information and advice on spelling, grammar, punctuation, pronunciation, confusables and the latest buzzwords, and provides clear, straightforward answers to everyday language problems.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary
The new Eleventh Edition of America's best-selling dictionary merges print, CD-ROM, and online formats to deliver unprecedented accessibility and flexibility at one affordable price. Fully revised print content features a significant number of clear and precise definitions and more than 10,000 new words and meanings. Over 40,000 usage examples, more than any other desk dictionary, provide expert guidance to help solve problems of confused and disputed usage.

Writing Consultations via Tutoring Services

The Tutoring S ervices at the Learning Commons helps students develop the skills they need to become better writers.

Help is available at any stage in the writing process. Students can also get assistance with essays, research papers, journals, and presentations from any subject area.

Writing consultations are not editing sessions. Students will be actively involved in constructing and revising their written work. The goal is to develop writing skills, boost confidence, and navigate students through the draft and revisions process. Because of this, we require students to bring a printed draft of their assignment and be prepared to engage in the session.

Make an appointment for a consultation.

Tutoring Center closed or need a quick answer? Check out this terrific resource:

Writer's Reference Center This link opens in a new window
A one-stop location for all of the tools necessary to write and research effectively. From the mechanics of writing and grammar to style and research, this indispensable online resource thoroughly covers the fundamentals of quality writing, provides a wealth of vocabulary-building dictionaries, and presents a step-by-step guide to writing a good essay. An in-depth grammar section defines grammatical terms and gives examples of use, while another section explores writing style.

Oxford Dictionaries Language and Writing Blog

Writing Resource Help

Fakoornejad Hannah

Recommended Websites

Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Includes resources and instructional materials to assist with a variety of writing projects.
University of Wisconsin's Writing Center
Includes instructional materials that were developed for teaching in the Writing Center.
Harvard Writing Center
Offers a host of general writing handouts on everything from how to structure and edit your essay to suggestions on punctuation and style.