Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Punctuation Patterns
An interactive tutorial that describes and defines basic punctuation patterns in the English language. Includes punctuation of phrase, clauses, and complete sentences.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Appositive Exercise
The Purdue University Writing Lab explains appositives and their punctuation. Example sentences followed by a ten-sentence exercise. Answer key supplied.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Where Do I Begin?
This article provides an overview of writing a research paper by first understanding the specific assignment and then offering links to how to begin research; outlining; drafting; and revising, editing, and proofreading.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Possessive Pronoun and Apostrophe
This Purdue Online Writing Lab article explains the three uses of the apostrophe.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Academic Writing: Essay Writing
An overview of essay writing in general with additional pages discussing descriptive, narrative, expository, and argumentative essays.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Academic Writing: Reverse Paramedic Method
Explanations and examples of the Reverse Paramedic Method used to edit scientific writing.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Annotated Bibliography Example
This handout provides examples of an annotations for an annotated bibliography and an explanation. The one provided is in MLA style.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Annotated Bibliography Samples
This handout provides three annotated bibliography samples: MLA Sample, APA Sample, and Chicago Manuel Sample.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Commas After Introductions
This lesson from Purdue's Online Writing Lab provides a definition of phrase and instructions on how to punctuate different types of introductory phrases. There is also a link to an exercise on this topic.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Common Pitfalls of Primary Research
Learn about the common mistakes made when reporting primary research findings.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Count and Non Count Nouns
This is a printable handout covering countable and uncountable nouns used with plurals, articles, and quantity words. Exercises and corrections can also be printed for use in class.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Creating Good Interview and Survey Questions
This entry focuses on writing good interview and survey questions when conducting primary research. It warns againgst questions that are bias, wordy, double-barreled, and unrelated and provides examples of each.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Ethical Considerations in Primary Research
Learn about the ethical considerations necessary when reporting primary research findings.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Evaluating Bibliographic Citations
This entry focuses on how to evaluate bibliographic citations to determine if the information is useful. It suggests looking at the author, title, summary, and timeliness of the work.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Exercise: Apostrophes
This lesson has twenty items to test your understanding of apostrophes. Print the exercise and punctuate correctly. Answers are provided at the end of the exercise, along with an online handout on the rules for using apostrophes.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Gerunds
This is a very good synopsis of the uses of verb forms called gerunds, participles, and infinitives. Each section has a short practice exercise for which the answers are available.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Identifying an Audience
This article explains the importance of identifying the audience for a research paper including a list of questions beginning researchers might ask themselves to better understand who their audience really is.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Interviewing
Learn about different types of interviews, how to set up an interview, and important tips to remember during an interview.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Irregular Verbs
Here is a list of common irregular verbs showing the present, preterit, and past participle. Includes charts for rise vs. raise, sit vs. set, lie vs. lay, which will help prevent misusing these verbs.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Meter & Scansion
Handout from the Purdue University writing lab that explains poetic meter and scansion. Explains several terms, including the following: syllabic, accentual, accentual-syllabic, quantitative, scansion, accented, unaccented, poetic foot,...
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Model for an Acceptance Letter
A brief example of an job acceptance letter. Good resource to use as a guide.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Model for Writing a Rejection of a Job Offer
A brief guide to writing a polite business letter in which one rejects a job offer.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Model for Writing a Request for Further Negotiations
A brief guide to writing a formal business request for further communication/negotiation with a potential employer.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Sales Letters: Four Point Action Closing
A good resource for effective sales writing skills. Describes a four-point system of attracting and convincing customers to order the product.