Learning Commons

Books on writing: Learn how professors expect you to write in particular disciplines (for ex, history, psychology, art, etc) and other writing tips, by checking out one of the Learning Commons books (catalogued in Pelletier's Allecat). Here's a list of our books and their call numbers.

Writing Consultations Available: Get your money's worth at Allegheny: it doesn't cost you anything to have an appointment with a writing consultant. A writing consultant will be happy to meet with you one-on-one, read a draft of your paper, and talk with you about any writing-related concerns you may have. Just bring your draft, the assignment, and any notes you've taken with you to the appointment.

Online Appointment Scheduler:Want to ensure that a consultant is available when you need feedback? Sign up for an appointment using our online scheduler.

Matched consultants:Why start from scratch each time? If you plan to meet regularly with writing consultants throughout the semester, you can be assigned a "matched" writing consultant. Matched consultants work with seniors on senior projects and any student interested in long term writing improvement. This consultant will meet with you each week or two at a time that works for both of you. Email <learningcommons@allegheny.edu> no later than Feb. 13th, 2008 with your request for a matched consultant; please include your contact information.

Getting Started, Planning, tips from Purdue University's Online Writing Lab
Coping with Writing Anxiety, tips from Purdue University's Online Writing Lab
How to Read an Assignment, from Harvard University's Writing Center
Organizing an Essay, tips from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Writing Center

Allegheny College's definition of plagiarism and examples explaining how to quote and paraphrase material from a source
Diana Hacker's on-line version of the handbook, A Writer's Reference (includes grammar exercises)
English as a Foreign Language/English as a Second Language
Dictionary

Revising for Content

Revising Drafts, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center
Constructing Thesis Statements, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center
The Thesis Reloaded, a short film about one student's quest to stengthen her paper on The Matrix Reloaded, from Michigan State University

Sentence-level editing

5 Ways to Make Your Writing More Concise, from the Indiana University, Purdue/Fort Wayne Writing Center
Editing the Essay, Part One, suggestions from Harvard University's writing Center
Editing the Essay, Part Two, suggestions from Harvard University's writing center
Active/Passive Voice, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Using Transitions, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Modes of Writing

Writing a Summary or Precis, from Webster University
Writing Vivid Description, tips from sfwriter.com
Argumentation, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Timed Essays, from Agnes Scott College
Writing in Specific Disciplines (Art History, Business Letter, Communications, History, Literature, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sciences, Scientific Research Reports, Sociology), tips from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Writing in Psychology, Psychology Writing Center at the University of Washington
Commentaries by Allegheny professors about writing in their field of study
Essays about mayflies written from different disciplinary perspectives

MLA style of citation, Purdue University's Online Writing Lab
The APA style of citation, Purdue University's Online Writing Lab
Chicago/Turabian style of citation, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
American Political Science Association style of citation, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Council of Biology style of citation, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

In addition to the tips above, juniors and seniors might find the following specialized sites helpful:

First and Second Year Students

Juniors and Seniors