Resources for Writing

Skills Tutor Program
Grammar/Punctuation
Sentence, Paragraph and Essay Writing
Documenting Sources
Dictionary
Online Writing Labs - OWLs  
Typing Programs

The Resources for Writing Index includes Web sites that provide help from grammar to whole essays.  We also include links to selected Online Writing Labs (OWLs) at other colleges. If you need help with research papers, try our Research Page. Our online SkillsTutor software is available only to registered College of the Desert students.

SkillsTutor is a fully interactive software package that offers instruction in reading, writing, and math. If you are enrolled in English 50 or 51, your instructor may have given you specific assignments for this software. However, any COD student is welcome to use this software to brush up on grammar, punctuation, and writing skills. Click on the link below and follow the log-in instructions on the next page.

IMPORTANT: 

• This software is paid for by COD and is only available to registered students of the college.
• At the end of each semester, including summer session, all students are deleted from this program.
  
  SkillsTutor Log-In
  Web Guide to SkillsTutor

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Hundreds of Web sites deal with grammar and punctuation. Most are just lists of definitions and examples. Clear and accurate information is essential, of course, but we have tried to find sites that use interactive games and exercises, PowerPoint modules, and other helpful tools. We suggest that you quickly explore all of them to find the one you like best and then focus on that one.

Rules for Writers--Sixth Edition by Diana Hacker.  This handbook is used by English Instructors at COD.  This link provides Writing, Grammar and Research exercises, as well as sample papers and additional information.

Grammar Bytes--By Robin L. Simmons.  This site you will find definitions of grammatical terms, exercises, and rules about English grammar.

Ted’s Punctuation Guide--By Ted Montgomery.  No exercises here, but Montgomery lays out basic punctuation rules and the site is easy to navigate.

Punctuation Marks--Sponsored by the Capitol Community College Foundation.  Click on the punctuation mark you want to work on and read the explanations given.  Then click on the quiz icons at the bottom of the Web page which will take you to a list of punctuation quizzes. Click on the one you want to take; in most cases the quizzes show you a sentence that you can edit or correct. You can click on a button to see a solution to the problem.  Remember, however, with punctuation there is more than one way to fix the problem.

Guide to Grammar & Writing--by Prof. Charles Darling, Capitol Community College.  Easy to use and very comprehensive, this site is a guide to all aspects of college writing.  Very clear and excellent examples are provided.  All lessons include exercises and/or tests and some include PowerPoint presentations to illustrate complex ideas. The opening page provides several very long drop-down menus with lists of terms like "Adjectives," "Prepositional Phrases," or "Subordinate Clauses."  Although you can simply browse till you find something interesting, it helps if you know exactly what you are looking for before exploring this site.

Sentence Sense, A Writer's Guide--Written by Evelyn Farbman  and prepared by Charles Darling, Capitol Community College.  Like a textbook, this online composition site is broken down into chapters which are further broken down into sections and sub-sections. Being electronic, however, the site’s many hyperlinks allow you to quickly get assistance with terms and ideas as you  need them. There are excellent interactive exercises throughout. If you want to systematically improve your grammar, punctuation, sentences, paragraphs, and essays, this is the place to go. Just start with chapter one and continue. If you want to quickly track down help with a specific problem, try the Guide to Writing and Grammar noted above, or HyperGrammar noted below.  The site also includes a study guide.  Since this guide is more than 70 pages, we ask that you do not print this guide in any lab at COD. Please help us conserve our network bandwidth and printers!

HyperGrammar--by David Megginson, University of Ottawa.
This online English Handbook covers grammar, punctuation, usage, diction and paragraphs.  While you won’t find many examples or find interactive elements on this site, you will find clear definitions in an easy-to-use interface. 

Basic Punctuation Patterns--ASC handout. 

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We won't promise that these Web sites make writing easy--they don't because good writing requires  much practice.  Even professional writers rarely say that writing is easy, but they do get better at it, and so can you. The sites listed below provide processes and structures that you can practice, maps to the territory, guides for the bewildered. If you are unsure of how to even start, or if you are stuck, or if you just want to polish your skills, these places can help.

Sentence Sense, A Writer's Guide--Written by Evelyn Farbman and prepared by Charles Darling, Capitol Community College.  Like a textbook, this online composition site is broken down into chapters (and the chapters) which are further  broken down  into sections and sub-sections.  Being electronic, however, the site’s many hyperlinks  allow you to quickly get assistance with terms and ideas as need them. There are excellent interactive exercises throughout. Most of the site is devoted to grammar and sentence structure, but chapters 16 and 17 provide a systematic introduction to writing paragraphs and essays.  Since this guide is more than 70 pages, )we ask that you do not print this guide in any lab at COD. Please help us conserve our network bandwidth and printers!.

Paragraph Punch--Merit Software.  This software teaches paragraph structure by walking you step-by-step through the process of writing a basic paragraph. You have to use the topic idea provided which is given on the right side of the window, but the topics change weekly so you won’t get bored.  Completing a paragraph in this software takes about forty-five minutes, but you get a clear understanding about writing and what is required for a well developed paragraph. If you use the software in the ASC lab, you will need to register as a “new student” in order to log onto the site. Be sure to read the "How To Use This Program" instructions before you begin. Without the instructions, the process can be confusing.

Essay Punch--Merit Software.  This software takes you through the essay writing process-from prewriting through organizing, revising and editing.  Although you must use pre-selected topics, and will spend several hours with it, this program will give you a clear understanding of the writing process.

Documenting Sources