Grammarly
Grammarly Blog: Colon:independent Clause & List, Quote, Appositive, Idea
This page explains the use of a colon when an independent clause is followed by a closely-related dependent clause that clarifies or gives more information about the independent clause. Examples are show with lists, quotes, appositives,...
Grammarly
Grammarly Blog: Unnecessary Comma in a Complex Sentence
Rules and examples for using commas when writing a complex sentence.
Grammarly
Grammarly Blog: Connecting Sentences
This Grammarly Handbook resource provides ways to connect sentences using transition words and punctuation (colons and semi-colons). Includes a list of transitional words and their uses, and a discussion of how punctuation is used to...
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College: Writing a Thesis Sentence
This Dartmouth College writing lab tutorial teaches students how to develop a thesis statement.
Soft Schools
Soft Schools: Punctuation: Comma Quiz
Choose the correctly punctuated sentences in this fourteen-question quiz.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Separation Punctuation
This website provides information about how to use separation punctuation. There is a video clip [0:47] on why periods go inside quotation marks, and a second video clip [1:07] showing the effects of using too many exclamation points.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Argumentative Papers: Organization
This lesson focuses on the organization of argumentative papers and developing an outline for them. It begins with topic, stance, and thesis statement; next one lists each claim in order of appearance in a paper and two different...
BBC
Bbc Skillswise: Building Paragraphs
As part of the BBC's Skillswise unit, this site focuses on the development of good paragraphs. As learning tools, the site includes a fact sheet, a worksheet, and a game. Be sure to click on the quizzes to check your understanding.
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: Writing Essays: Essay Conclusions
Explains the purpose of the conclusion and how it relates to the thesis and introduction of the essay.
Other
Mo Dept. Of Ed.: Writing Essays (Expository) (Lesson)
Lesson plan designed for seventh graders. Students write expository essays that include details, facts, and examples. Includes prewriting handouts, some example paragraphs, some example prompts, and a scoring guide.
University of Ottawa (Canada)
University of Ottawa: Writing Paragraphs
This site from the University of Ottawa provides a wonderfully designed website that not only gives you exhaustive information on paragraph writing. Students will engage in starting with outlines, writing topic sentences, dividing their...
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: Sample Expository Essay
This site is an example of a well-written expository essay from the University of Victoria. Gives excellent tips for students, such as organization, paragraph development, and support. W.9-10.2a Intro/org/graphics
Other
Monash University: What Makes a Good Essay?
Read this example essay with its highlighted comments and labeled parts to get a good grasp of what an effective essay does. United States students should note that the documentation style is slightly different in this example. For more...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Writing an Argument Paper
In this slideshow tutorial, students will review how to write an argument paper. Students will review the parts of the argument paper, which include the thesis, claim, support, and counterarguments. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.1, W.11-12.1a...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Paper Writing: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
This site shows students how to write an introduction, body, and conclusion to create a complete paper. Students see examples of two different types of introductions, get ideas for attention grabbers, gain understanding of the type of...
The Write Place
Literacy Education Online: Writing Conclusions Strategies
This site explains what a conclusion should do and gives strategies and suggestions for accomplishing that end. Includes examples. W.9-10.1e & W.9-10.2f, w.9-10.3e Conclusion, W.11-12.2f Conclusion
Capital Community College Foundation
Guide to Grammar and Writing: Quiz on Comma Usage
In this comma quiz, students read each of two paragraphs and insert necessary commas. When finished with both paragraphs, they click "Explanations" to see the correct comma placements. Java is required. Links are also provided to "Guide...
Other
Instruct Uwo: Module 6 Sentence Structure and Style
This site discusses several characteristics of writing: coordination, subordination, parallelism, and sentence variety. Each section includes a brief discussion with examples. There are also quizzes and additional links for each section.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Revising for Effective Introductions and Conclusions
[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] Learn strategies for evaluating and revising an introduction, conclusion, and controlling idea or thesis in an essay.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Thesis and Support in the Persuasive Essay (English I Writing)
[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] Write an essay that includes a clear thesis and supporting evidence.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Effective Introduction and Conclusion Sentence Structure Variety
Write effective introductions and conclusions with a controlling idea or thesis, using a variety of sentence patterns.
Lumen Learning
Lumen: Boundless Communications: Conclusion
This lesson focuses on writing the conclusion of your speech including the role of the conclusion, summarizing ideas, signaling the end, and managing Q&A.
Lumen Learning
Lumen: Grammar: Punctuation
This instructional activity focuses on the roles of all of the punctuation marks; it provides a video, small practices in various sections, and a punctuation self-check.
Other
Sandhills Community College: Punctuation Guide
Lists, defines and describes the uses of many elements of English punctuation, including the period, comma, semicolon, colon, apostrophe, quotation, hyphen, and dash. Includes several examples.