Writing Techniques and Formats
Class assignments at MSASS will vary depending on the instructor and course focus. Although all
written assignments must adhere to A.P.A. publication guidelines, your writing may take on a
variety of formats such as personal narrative, annotated bibliography, research paper or literature
review. Here is more information on writing techniques as well as specific kinds of formats.
General Writing Resources
Sometimes when you are writing, the ideas just don’t flow together the way you would like.
Your sentences seem awkward or the placement of concepts seems disjointed. The following sites will
provide you with tips on writing techniques, grammar and style.
Purdue University Writing Lab
An excellent resource for information on all aspects of academic writing.
Writer’s Workshop: Writing Tips
Produced by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, this section of its Writer’s Workshop website highlights several excellent web resources on writing skills. Check out other areas of the Writer’s Workshop site as well.
LEO: Literacy Education Online
Produced by St. Cloud State University this site offers concise writing tips on how to compose sentences, connect ideas, develop a thesis statement and use proper grammar.
WritingDEN’s Tips-O-Matic
An online help guide to English grammar that includes a grammar clinic. Created by actDEN,
formerly the Digital Education Network, Ltd., United Kingdom.
Proofreading (Editing and Proofreading)
Produced by The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Gender-Sensitive Language
Produced by The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a compilation of summaries of journal articles, book chapters or other published material. The annotation combines an objective summary (abstract) with personal opinion on the article’s focus, bias or relevance to a particular topic.
How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography
Produced by Cornell University.
Annotated Bibliography
Produced by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center.
Literature Review
A literature review consolidates information on a particular topic or hypothesis. It compares and contrasts scholarly research findings – identifying similarities, discrepancies, trends and gaps in the literature. Websites with information on literature reviews include:
The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting It
Produced by the University of Toronto, Health Sciences Writing Centre.
What is a Literature Review?
Produced by the Union Institute & University, Gary Library Research Engine.
Literature Review Tutorial
Produced by the American University Library in Washington, D.C.
Literature Reviews
Produced by The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
How to… Write a Literature Review
Produced by the University Library at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Review of Literature
Produced by The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Critical Review/Book Review
Critical Reviews/Book Review
Produced by The Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison this site provides some
helpful tips on how best to read a book in preparation for reviewing it, as well as techniques for
evaluating the author’s main ideas.
How to Write a Critical Book Review
On the Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL, website and written by John L. Nies, Ph.D.
Books In The Harris Library
Galvan, J. L. (2006). Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak.
Walllwork, A. (2011). English for writing research papers . New York: Springer.
Links
Tutorials