Research Guides: Writing: Writing Resources

Writing FAQ with Links

We've compiled a list of writing frequently asked questions with links to the coordinating resources.

Writing FAQ

Resources for Each Step in the Writing Process

Coming Up with Ideas

Brainstorming

Brainstorming Techniques
From George Mason University

Organization

How you organize your essay depends on what type of essay it is. Select your essay below:

Researched argument

Compare/contrast

Cause/effect

Narrative (personal, research proposal, self-assessment)

Analysis (film, poetry, rhetorical, literary, summary/response)

Outlining

Outlining a Compare and Contrast Essay
From NROC. Gives examples of point-by-point and subject-by-subject comparisons.

Classic Outline for Researched Argument
Valencia College
3 Sample Outlines from Student Papers
Austin Community College
Outlining from a Working Thesis Statement
Three parts of a thesis and creating an outline from there.
UNT Dallas Learning Center
Outlining
Purdue OWL
Outlining
Video from UNC

Outline for Definition Essay

Audience and Argument

Audience
Argument
Accessible Version

Argument Slideshow Version

Rhetorical Appeals

Rhetorical Appeals and Techniques Graphic Organizer
Logical Fallacies
Fallacies that weaken your argument.

Writing Introductions

How to Create an Opening Paragraph
Explains how an essay's opening paragraph narrows down from beginning to end in the shape of a funnel.

Introductions
Accessible Version with Example
Writing Introduction and Context Paragraphs
For a researched argument essay.
Writing a Great Hook
How to write a hook for various types of essays.

Thesis Statements

The College Essay: Thesis
How to write a college thesis statement.
Thesis Statements
Definition and examples of a thesis statement.
Developing a Thesis Statement
Quick Reference Guide
Thesis and Introductions
Step-by-step for writing a thesis for various types of papers with examples.
Structure of an introduction.
Thesis Statement Examples
Examples for various types of essays
Analytical Thesis Statement Pattern
For literary or film analysis essays.
Comparison Contrast Thesis Statement Template

How to Write a Thesis Statement
Indiana University Bloomington
Outlining from a Working Thesis
UNT Dallas Learning Commons
Three parts of a thesis and creating an outline from there

Writing Paragraphs

The Parts of a Paragraph
The parts of a paragraph. Types of paragraphs. How to organize sentences within a paragraph.
Body Paragraph Stucture

Paragraph Development

Section 1: Thesis and Paragraph Development

Section 2: Qualities of a Good Paragraph and
Organizing Paragraphs

Section 3: 5-step Process for Paragraphs

Section 4: Troubleshooting Paragraphs

Creating Flow in College Writing
Clarity, Cohesion, Concision
Transitions
Transitions
Quick Reference Guide
Summarizing

Integrating Evidence

Evidence
Types of evidence and how to use them
Integrating Evidence
How to incorporate sources by summary, paraphrase, quotation.
Integrating Evidence-The Sandwich Method
PIE Paragraph Structure (body paragraphs)
A detailed analysis of the PIE structure.
Includes examples.

PIE Video
PIE Structure of Body Paragraphs

Practice Using PIE

Signal Phrases
Accessible Version
Signal Phrases
Quick Reference Guide

Signal Phrases
George Mason University
Purdue OWL on Signal Phrases
How to introduce sources in MLA and APA format.
Counterargument/Refutation
Harvard Writing Center

Counterargument/Refutation
Quick Reference Guide
Sample Counterargument/Refutation

Conclusion Paragraphs
Accessible
The Parts of a Conclusion with Examples
Conclusions
Quick Reference Guide
Conclusions
Quick Reference Guide
Accessible Version

Narrative Endings

Write without fear, edit without mercy

Getting Feedback
Revision
Revision
Quick Reference Guide
Rethinking Organization
Methods for reorganizing during revision.

Rethinking Organization eBook Version

College Essay Titles
This document was created by Deborah Moore and used with permission (September 2020)
Editing and Proofreading
Sentence Variety
Checklist for Finished Essay
A checklist to make sure you haven't forgotten anything important.
The Parts of an Essay & Checklist
Includes a checklist for Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.
Shows how PIE fits in with the entire essay.

Resources for Understanding College Level Writing

Basic Essay Structure
This is a graphic showing the parts of an essay and how they function together.
College Writing vs. High School Writing
Accessible Version
Step-by-step for writing a collegiate introduction, thesis, body, and conclusions, with examples.

College Writing eBook Version

Wonder why writing always feels so difficult? Watch this!

Understanding Assignments
Accessible Version

Decoding Assignments
Mt. San Antonio College Writing Center

Writing Anxiety
Accessible Version
Group Writing
Accessible Version