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Archive for the ‘Writing Guides’ Category

The apostrophe

October 23rd, 2008 by Mary Ellen Bertolini

Last week at training, we had fun looking at apostrophes. Purdue’s OWL (Online Writing Lab) answers questions about the apostrophe here this week.

Writing Guides for you to use

September 27th, 2007 by Mary Ellen Bertolini

Learning to Write College Papers
This is a site I created for one of my classes. It has helpful handouts about structure, thesis development, grammar issues, integration of quotations and more.
Feel free to use these links and handouts with the students you tutor.

Norton Writing Guide

Virtual Workshop–Dangling Participles

May 3rd, 2007 by Mary Ellen Bertolini

Because we are so crunched for time at the end of the semester, I’ve created a virtual workshop on Dangling Participles for you.

Grammar Workshop: Dangling Participles

You can download this Power Point onto your computer or watch it on line.
Go to Slideshow, and then view slideshow. Follow the arrows.
Please let me know what you think, and if you have suggestions for more virtual grammar workshops,

wiki HOW tackles punctuation

April 5th, 2007 by Mary Ellen Bertolini

How to Use English Punctuation Correctly – WikiHow

Oral Presentations

October 9th, 2005 by Mary Ellen Bertolini

Tips for Talks

  • Speak clearly.
  • Speak loudly enough to be heard everywhere in the room.
  • Rehearse your talk (and time yourself).
  • Keep within your time limit.
  • Make eye contact whenever possible.
  • Begin and end decisively.
  • Take a slow deep breath or two before speaking.
  • Organize your talk well, but don’t be afraid to speak spontaneously if you become inspired. Relax–it’s just your class!

Still worried about the oral presentation?
Practice:3 Exercises for Oral Presentations

Check out:

  • Oral Presentation Advice
  • Practical Hints for Giving a Presentation

    (more…)

  • Writing Guides

    February 15th, 2005 by Mary Ellen Bertolini

    “If you would be pungent, be brief; for it is with words as with sunbeams — the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn.”
    –Robert Southey (Thanks to Dena for finding this quotation!)

    Forming A Thesis Statement

    Oral Presentations

    Downloadable Guides

    Using Citations
    Integrating Quotations
    How to Structure a Paragraph
    Using a Thesis Statement

    Off Campus Links

    On Campus Links

    (more…)

    Forming A Thesis Statement

    August 28th, 2004 by Mary Ellen Bertolini

    How to Form a Thesis Statement

    1. Choose a Topic. What is a Topic?

    2. Define a PROBLEM within your topic. How?
    3. Explore/ Analyze the PROBLEM. How?
    4. Create a Thesis Statement. What
      is a Thesis Statement?

    5. Find evidence that supports the Thesis Statement.

    6. Organize your writing around your Thesis Statement. How?