Research Guides: ENGL 1010 & 1020: 1. Begin

Navigating the Vol State Library Website

This 5-minute video shows you how to use the library's website.

What is your assignment?

Your assignment determines the type of information needed. There may be date restrictions or specific information types needed. For example, you may need to use a scholarly journal article published in the last 5 years. Your topic is another factor in the process, but more on that in Steps 2 and 3.

Purdue Owl: Understanding Writing Assignments
This written guide from the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) offers tips on deciphering your assignment.
UNC Writing Center: Understanding Assignments
The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill provides this handout (download as PDF or read online) that helps you interpret your college assignment. The section "Key Terms: Find the Action Verbs" is very good.

Essay examples

Review essays in expository writing and researched arguments in the Vol State English Department's collection of best student essays. Links to these "Best Essays" are on the department's web page.

English Department Best Student Essays
Vol State's Best Student Essays

Vol State Tutoring & Writing Support

The Learning Commons is available for all Vol State students seeking tutoring assistance and more. They provide help with writing and citing, including the basics of

Generating ideas and creating your thesis and focus, and development
Grammar, punctuation, and mechanics
Citing and writing with MLA, APA, AMA, and Chicago/Turabian styles

Learning Commons The Learning Commons is your one stop shop for tutoring support. There is a Learning Commons location on each Vol State campus. We all need help in one area or another.

In addition, online help is available through eLearn. Look for the links to Essay Review and Writing Support in the Academic Support support of your course page in eLearn.