Resources for Writers

Resources for Writers

Videos about our services

• For on-campus writers, an explanation of services, Writing Studio 101
• For graduate or online writers, an explanation of services, OWL 101
• How to use feedback after a writing appointment.
• What to do when working on long-term projects like capstones and dissertations.

Study Snacks

You have time to improve your study and writing skills! These five-minute videos on different study and writing strategies can help you become a stronger student--more efficient and more effective-- so that you can work smarter, not harder. Check back often; new videos are added every month!

• Setting up your study space
  Focus isn't just about mindset. Use these tips to leverage your environment for success
• Retrieval Practice
  Learn and retain information faster and more effectively with these techniques
• Getting Started with Grammarly
  Get off on the right foot this year by setting up your access to Grammarly for Education--your free premium account offered through the Writing Studio at Concordia University Irvine.

Coming up with an Idea for a Paper

• Interpreting the Assignment (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Techniques for Brainstorming Ideas (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Refining a Research Topic (Golden Gate University)

Finding Reputable Sources

• Book a Concordia University Irvine Librarian
• How to Gather and Use Evidence (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• How to Read Scholarly Articles (from IU Bloomington)

Outlining a Paper

• Outlines Demo (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Outlines Explained (from UC Berkeley)
• Additional Outlining Tips (from Harvard University)

Introductions & Thesis Statements

• How to Write a Strong Introduction (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• How to Write a Thesis Statement (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Extra Thesis Statement Tips and Examples (From Purdue OWL)

Body Paragraphs

• Paragraphing Basics (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Integrating Sources into Paragraphs (from Miami University)

Conclusions

• How to Write an Effective Conclusion (from UNC-Chapel Hill)

Revising & Restructuring a Draft

• Reorganizing Paragraphs (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Adding Transitions (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Conciseness (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Varying Sentence Patterns (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Active and Passive Voice (from Purdue OWL)
• Improving Word Choice (from UNC-Chapel Hill)

Proofreading & Polishing a Draft

• 12 Common Errors: An Editing Checklist (from UW Madison)
• Grammarly (online proofreading service free for Concordia University Irvine Students)

Citing Sources

• MLA Style Guide (from Purdue OWL)
• MLA Sample Paper (from Purdue OWL)
• APA Style Guide (from APAstyle.org)
• APA Sample Paper (from APAstyle.org)
• CMS Style Guide (from Purdue OWL)
• CMS Sample Paper (from Purdue OWL)
• Citing the Bible (from Grove City College)

Avoiding Plagiarism

• What is Plagiarism? (from University of Oxford)
• Plagiarism Overview and How To Avoid it (from Purdue OWL)

Support for Specific Assignments

• Abstracts (from UNC Chapel-Hill)
• Annotated Bibliographies (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Book Reviews (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Business Letters (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Comparing/Contrasting (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Essay Exams (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Group Writing Assignments (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• History Papers (from Harvard College)
• Literary Analysis (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Literature Reviews (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Poetry Explications (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Scientific Reports (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Speeches (from UNC-Chapel Hill)

Tips for Writing in Different Disciplines

• Communication Studies (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Theater/Drama (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• History (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Literature (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Philosophy (UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Sciences (from UNC-Chapel Hill)
• Sociology (from UNC-Chapel Hill)