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Writing resources

Grammar terminology matters because it allows us to communicate efficiently about language. Of course, it is not necessary to know the terminology to speak a language. We all learn our first languages without first learning what a verb and noun are. However, when we speak about grammar, especially in the context of writing, it helps if we can refer to grammar using precise vocabulary.

There are many sources online and in books that will explain grammar terminology. Not all of them will use exactly the same terms for the same grammatical points (I know, frustrating!). However, if you get into the habit of learning to identify the names of grammatical objects, you will move forward in your understanding of written English.

Sites and books that you can use to look up the names of grammatical terms

Websites

  1. The Elements of Style http://bartleby.com/141/
  2. Using English: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/
  3. About.com, Grammar: http://grammar.about.com/od/terms/a/100-Key-Grammatical-Terms.htm
  4. English Plus: http://englishplus.com/grammar/glossary.htm
  5. Texas Southern University OWL: http://tsu.edu/owl/writing-process.php
  6. Purdue University OWL: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
  7. University of West Florida Writing Lab: http://uwf.edu/writelab/ 8 Literacy Education Online: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html
  8. University of Richmond Writing Center http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html
  9. University of Victoria Writing Guide http://web.uvic.ca/wguide/Pages/EssaysToc.html
  10. University of Winsconsin - Madison _ Writing Center - Writer's Handbook http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/index.html
  11. http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/quick-grammar
  12. http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/Paragraph%20Writing%20Exercises.htm
  13. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/2/
  14. https://bubbl.us/
  15. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation http://www.grammarbook.com
  16. http://www.writingcommons.org
  17. http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/
  18. http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
  19. http://www.english-zone.com
  20. http://writingcenter.unc.edu/faculty-resources/tips-on-teaching-esl-students/
  21. http://www.betterwritingskills.com/
  22. http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm
  23. http://sinandsyntax.com
  24. http://www.dailywritingtips.com/
  25. English as a Second Language Podcast: http://www.eslpod.com/website/index_new.html
  26. Tips for Writing Better Science Papers: http://www.chemistryviews.org/details/education/5202161/.html
  27. http://grammargeek.tumblr.com/
  28. http://howtowriteeverything.com/exercises/
  29. Scientific Writing - Duke's Graduate School: https://cgi.duke.edu/web/sciwriting/index.php
  30. Writing Resources - http://garbl.home.comcast.net/~garbl/writing/
  31. Writer's Diet http://writersdiet.com/WT.php
  32. Writing an Effective Book Chapter A Guide for Authors Working With the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience & Students in Transition http://www.sc.edu/fye/publications/pdf/Chapter%20Drafting%20Guidelines_2012.pdf 15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly - http://www.copyblogger.com/grammar-goofs/

Books

  1. Oxford Learner's Grammar: Grammar Finder, by John Eastwood, Oxford University Press, 2005.
  2. Grammar for Writing, by Joyce Cain, Pearson Publishers, 2012. Three levels available.
  3. Rhetorical Grammar, by Martha Kolln and Loretta Gray, Longman Publishers, 2012.
  4. William Zinsser, On Writing Well: the classic guide to writing nonfiction,2006;
  5. William Zinsser, Writing to Learn, 1988;
  6. William Strunk Jr.; E.B. White, The Elements of Style, 1979;
  7. Constance Hale, Sin and Syntax: how to craft wicked good prose, 2013;
  8. Carol Bly, Beyond the Writers' Workshop: new ways to write creative nonfiction, 2001;
  9. Jane Straus, Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation:an easy-to-use guide with clear rules, real-world examples, and reproducible quizzes, 2008; http://www.grammarbook.com;
  10. How to Not Write Bad: The Most Common Writing Problems and the Best Ways to Avoid Them
  11. Building Great Sentences: How to Write the Kinds of Sentences You Love to Read
  12. Word Up! How to Write Powerful Sentences and Paragraphs (And Everything You Build from Them) - http://howtowriteeverything.com/pass-the-word/
  13. Common Errors in English Usage - http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html
  14. The Writer's Diet (http://www.pearsoned.co.nz/9781877371653)
  15. Stylish Academic Writing (http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674064485)

Recommended books for developing academic writing skills (http://bit.ly/1bjssRp)

  1. Bailey. S. 2001. Academic Writing : A Handbook for International Students. London and New York : Routledge.
  2. Craswell, G. 2004. Writing for Academic Success. Sage Publications.
  3. Murray, N. 2012. Writing Essays in English Language and Linguistics , Cambridge University Press.
  4. Crème, P. and M. Lea. 2003. Writing at University : A guide for students. Open University Press.
  5. Jordan, R.R. 1999. Academic Writing Course. London : Nelson/Longman.
  6. Hamp-Lyons, L. and Heasley, B. 2006. Study Writing. Cambridge University Press.
  7. Oshima, A. & Hogue, A. 2005. Writing Academic English, Addison-Wesley, New York
  8. Swales, J.and C. Feak. 2004. Academic Writing for Graduate Students. Michigan University Press.
  9. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations

Language Learning

  1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/
  2. http://www.newsinlevels.com
  3. https://sites.google.com/site/twblacklinemasters/verb-cheat-sheet
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