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 Topics covered in this
list:
Study Skills
Doing Research and Writing It Up
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STUDY SKILLS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
Study Skills (General)
(e.g. Reading, Listening, Study, Memory, Notemaking, Writing,Time
Management...)
- ABC
Study Guide (Middlesex University)
Scroll down the very colourful and extensive index to access what you
need on this large site. (You get the chance to Take A Break and Read
a Poem every so often.)
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/www/study/glossary.htm
- Academic Tips. Org
Student-to-student study tips from around the world.
http://www.academictips.org/index.html
-
Accelerated
Learning
This URL takes you to the Memory Improvement and Learning Information pages.
http://www.happychild.org.uk/acc/tpr/
- Bangkok
Post: How to read any newspaper in English
A very large site teaching much more than how to read newspapers. There
is plenty of help with reading in general and with building vocabulary.
Start with Tips for Students and note the Word of the Day feature.
http://www.bangkokpost.net/education/site02.htm
- Big6: Information
Problem Solving Approach
The Big6 claims to be the most widely-known approach to teaching information
and technology skills, used in thousands of educational institutions,
to prepare students for handling any problem, assignment, decision
or task. The step-by-step process involves 6 stages, each with two
sub-stages.
http://www.big6.com
- BizEd
Study Skills (formerly Institute of Learning
and Research Technology, University of Bristol)
BizEd is the top UK site for business education, accounting, economics,
management, tourism and travel but it is packed with useful information,
tips and links for any student. It is also easy to navigate because
the information is well chunked and ordered. You might start with the
Reading and Teamwork sections, and are likely to keep going back for
other topics.
http://www.bized.co.uk/reference/studyskills/index.htm
- English Zone
One of many websites for learners of English. The Study Skills zone
inclujdes Notetaking Tips ("Learn 2 wrt fast b4 u go bananas!')
as well as Study Tips and Exam Tips. [Go to
the TESL page of this site for more help with English]
http://english-zone.com/index.php
- How the Language Really
Works: The Fundamentals of Critical Reading and Effective Writing
A thorough, innovative online course--much-used--offering
a complete guide to Ways to Read, Critical Reading and Inferences,
with clear instructions and plenty of examples. There are also sections
on Effective Writing and Grammar.
http://www.criticalreading.com/
- How
to Be a Smart Learner (Language and Academic Skills (ESL), La
Trobe University)
This page is part of a study skills site covering all the essentials
in easy-to-digest form, with selected links. Start here and then explore
some of the other pages.
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/lasesl/smart.html
- Learning
Skills (Academic Skills Program, University of Canberra, Australia)
Another comprehensive site with help on Making the Most of Lectures,
...of Tutorials, Working in Groups, Learning Independently, Critical
Thinking, Reading and Remembering, Giving an Oral Presentation, Researching
Assignments, Coping with Exams and Writing Skills. (Whew!)
http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/learning
- Learning Skills Program (University
of Victoria, Canada)
The home page of this site gives access to 13 broad topics (e.g. Making
and Using Notes, Writing Theses and Dissertations) each with further
links to handouts, checklists and worksheets providing examples and
practice in the relevant skills.
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/
- Learning
Strategies (Academic Skills Centre, Dartmouth
College, New Hampshire)
Choose from Managing Your Time, Reading Your Textbooks, Taking
Lecture and Class Notes, How to Study, Managing Your Stress... There
are videos and downloadable handouts.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/index.html
- Mantex
Information Design: Study Skills
This site provides a great deal of free advice as well as recommendations
of books, software and other web sites.
http://www.mantex.co.uk/ou/ou-home.htm
- Memory
Improvement and Learning Information (Accelerated Learning)
These pages of a huge (and hugely popular) site cover principles of
a good memory, mind maps, speed reading, good study habits, mnemonic
techniques and much more.
http://www.happychild.org.uk/acc/tpr/index.htm
- Mind Tools: Essential tools for
an Excellent Career
Another very comprehensive and well-organised site
covering all the main areas. The Time Management, Information Skills,
Communication Skills and Memory
Improvement sections
are the ones to start with. You can download and print, and
there are plenty of links.
http://www.mindtools.com
- Mnemonic
Techniques and Memory Tricks (Intelegen, UK)
Memory strategies and a useful range of mnemonic
techniques, with links to related topics. ?????
http://www.web-us.com/memory/mnemonic_techniques.htm
- Notemaking
from Reading (University of South Australia)
A detailed exploration of notemaking and reading. From the sidebar
you can access the chunks you need (e.g. gathering information for
an assignment, preparing for an exam) or the forms of notes you are
interested in (e.g. flow chart, mind map, linear notes).
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/notereading/
- Online
Academic Skills Resources ( University of New South Wales)
Pithy, smartly presented treatment of all aspects of university and
postgraduate study and research skills, with links.
http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/olib.html
- SAFARI:
Skills in Accessing, Finding and Reviewing Information (Open
University, UK) L
You can use the site as a guest. Begin with Section 1: Understanding
Information. Other sections deal with methods and techniques for organising
information and the principles and practice of effective citation.
http://www.open.ac.uk/safari/
Jan '08: This is a new
URL
- Skills4Study (Palgrave
MacMillan)
A free resource of practical advice, excellently presented, from the
publisher of the Palgrave Study Guides series. After investigating
the Study Skills and Handy Tips sections you can go on to Subject Areas
for specific help in your own field of study.
http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/html/
- Study
Guides (College of St Mark and St John, Plymouth)
This site has just been redesigned. The most useful sections
are likely to be Helpguides and Database helpsheets, possibly also
Harvard referencing.
http://librarygateway.marjon.ac.uk/facilities/library/studyskills/
- Study Guides and Strategies
Some 120 clearly presented one-page chunks of information
are organised in 15 groups, e.g. Reading Skills, Learning with Others,
Preparing for Tests, Webtruth, Writing Types, Science and
Technology... The site is collaboratively maintained across institutional
and national boundaries.
http://www.studygs.net
- Study
Skills: General / for Science Students (Dawson
College, Quebec)
Information in each of the main sections is helpfully 'chunked'. E.g
for the Science section headings include Learning from Science Lectures,
Learning by Problem Solving, Learning from Lab Notes, Learning with
a Study Group, Preparing for Science Exams... There is also a downloadable
Study Skills Checklist.
http://dept.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/lc/study-skills.html
- Study Skills Online (Northern
Territory University)
Straightforward advice on Reading, Writing, Notemaking,
Managing Time, Assignments and Exam...
http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/
- Study Skills
Self-Help Information (Virginia Tech)
Sound advice on over 20 important topics such as concentration, motivation,
reading, remembering, plus five substantial workshop, e.g. Increasing
Textbook Reading Comprehension by Using SQ3R.
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html
- Study Tips (Academic
Advancement Centre University of Ohio)
This site is an interactive one. Visit it to assess your present ability
in areas such as notemaking, time management, concentration, memory
and exam preparation and find out how to improve.
http://studytips.aac.ohiou.edu
- Ten
Traps of Studying (University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
The emphasis is on what to do to get out of the traps (or avoid them
altogether).
http://caps.unc.edu/content/view/73/0/
- UniLearning (University
of Wollongong, Australia)
Another attractive interactive site. Examples: The Reading Efficiently
section provides strategies for coping with typical textbooks, journal
articles and academic texts. The Reading Critically section offers
not only advice but a critical reading checklist, examples and an activity.
There is a Critical Thinking section plus five sections devoted to
Writing.
http://unilearning.uow.edu.au
Top
Critical Thinking [in
addition to the sites listed above]
Critical Thinking Skills, Fallacies, Techniques
of Argument and Persuasion
- Critical
Thinking on the Web (Austhink)
An extensive resource collection of annotated links to sites related
to critical thinking. Of the 30+ categories these are likely to be
of most interest and use: Argument Mapping, Critical Reading and Writing,
Fallacies, Language and Thought, Tutorials... You will need to do the
selecting and evaluating.
http://www.austhink.org/critical
- Critical
Thinking Web (University of Hong Kong and
Hong Kong Baptist University)
Over 100 Open Courseware tutorials, with exercises, on critical
thinking, logic, scientific reasoning, argument analysis, fallacies,
creativity... There are Chinese versions.
http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/
- Fallacies (The
Nizkor Project)
The definitions and examples are admirably clear.
Forty-two common types of informal fallacies are treated.
http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/
- Fallacy
Files
This well-respected site has nearly 150 annotated entries with current
examples from the media and everyday life.
http://www.fallacyfiles.org
- It's
No Laughing Matter: Analysing Political Cartoons
Activities highlight the persuasive techniques used
by cartoonists to make serious points on editorial pages i.e. symbolism,
exaggeration, labeling, analogy, and irony. Compare with the treatment
in Persuading Others below.
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/political_cartoon/about.html
- Language
and Power (Universal Teacher UK)
This is a comprehensive and sophisticated treatment
of persuasive techniques on a large site aimed at UK ‘A' Level and
beginning university students. It is one of 36 topics under the theme Language
and Power . Other parts of the site can be useful too for aspects
of language in use.
http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/lang/power.htm#persuade
- Logic
and Argument (Writing Program, Dartmouth
College)
Nicely presented page summing up the questions to ask and fallacies
to avoid when writing academic papers.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/logic.shtml
- Logical
Fallacies (Wikipedia)
This offers examples of the most common fallacies plus links to related
topics. Remember when you use Wikipedia that it is an interactive site
where information can be contributed by anyway. [It has 5 times the
number of articles as the Encyclopedia Britannica!) There are rules
and guidelines for acceptance and many articles are written by experts
or knowledgeable amateur--but do check the 'authority' of contributors.
It is safe to use other sources for academic papers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_fallacy
- Mission
Critical
A colourful interactive tutorial with appropriate practice exercises
covering all aspects of argument, fallacies and persuasion.
http://www2.sjsu.edu/depts/itl/graphics/main.html
- Persuading
Others
This ‘site' is an online textbook: Elements of Language, Fourth
Course (Holt, Rinehart and Winston) Click on Chapter 7, titled Persuading
Others, for a chapter which looks at what you need to
know about persuasive techniques as a reader, a writer, a speaker and
a viewer of editorial cartoons. Of particular relevance here of course
is the section on Writing a Persuasive Essay , but look at Analysing
Editorial Cartoons and Giving a Persuasive Speech too.
http://go.hrw.com/elotM/0030526671/student/index.html
Top
Creative Thinking
- Brainstorming
Besides how-to advice on running a brainstorming
session and creative thinking techniques, there is a dictionary/thesaurus
of words associated with thinking, creativity and innovation, with
links to related sites.
http://www.brainstorming.co.uk/
- Creative
Thinking (Michael Michalko)
This is the site of creativity expert Michael Michalko, author of Cracking
Creativity. There is a large collection of articles,
techniques and exercises. For fun there is the Imagineering section
http://www.creativethinking.net/WP1_Home.htm
- Creativity Portal
There are articles, lists, links, sample materials--a very mixed bag
but including some things worth winkling out for sharpening your
creativity for personal or professional uses. Suggestions:
Writing Advice, Exploring Creativity and Creativity Coaching.
http://www.creativity-portal.com
- GoCreate
Articles and workouts, a creativity timeline, problem
solving techniques, quotations, idea generation...Click on HeadShed
for links to tools, reference and other resources.
http://www.gocreate.com/
- MI
Creativity
A large site packed with information, ideas, tips, techniques and exercises,
much of it free. Click on the central light bulb and choose either
About M1 Creativity or Website Tour to get started, then explore..
http://www.m1creativity.com/
- Mycoted (Creativity
and Innovation in Science and Technology)
A significant repository for creativity and innovation: tools, techniques,
mind exercises, puzzles, book reviews etc. Its A-Z of Creativity Techniques
contains nearly 200 quick summaries of e.g. brainstorming, brainwriting,
synectics, creative problem solving...
http://www.mycoted.com/
- Word
Associations (Science NetLinks)
The brain learns and remembers by making connections between words,
things and ideas. Being creative means making new connections. This
page tells how the brain
makes these connections and includes an audiofile. Other resources
and lessons are accessible.
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update_index.cfm
Top
Understanding and Using Graphs, Tables and
Statistics
Graphical Information
- Create a Graph (National
Center for Educational Statistics, USA)
This site provides guided practice in creating different kinds of graphs
and charts and teaches the vocabulary and procedures for reading and
interpreting them too.
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/Graphing
- Diagram Bank (BizEd)
An excellent resource, not just for students of economics, business
and accountancy. You can browse the whole bank of some 200 diagrams
by clicking on the letters of the alphabet in turn--or you can
put a keyword or title in the search box. There are Hints and Tips
too.
[It may be easier to access this page from the www.bized.co.uk main
menu.]
http://www.bized.co.uk/glossary/diagram.htm
- How to Read a
Graph (University of California Atlas of Global
Inequality)
Run your mouse over parts of the graph. It's informative and fun—and
will help you with 'describe and draw' practice. By clicking on Home
you can access more of this interesting atlas.
http://ucatlas.ucsc.edu/howto/graph.html
- Information
Graphics from Wikipedia
This offers more comprehensive information on all
aspects of information graphics than the other sites in this section.
Click on any of the ten types listed (e.g. chart, flowchart, diagram)
for a better understanding of how to interpret, describe and create
it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inforgraphics
- WriteFix (Abu
Dhabi Men's College)
Gives examples of the major types of graphic information. Click on
Writing about Graphs and Charts -->Vocabulary--> Words for a
list of words and phrases used to describe movements and trends. Note
other useful parts of the site too: Compare and contrast, Problem-solution,
Cause and effect, Argument...
http://www.writefix.com
SPSS
Tutorials The
tutorials listed are for versions 10 or 11
- SPSS
for Windows: Getting Started (University of Texas)
SPSS
is a software package used for conducting statistical analyses, manipulating
data, and generating tables and graphs that summarize data. It
is used in educational as well as business and social science research. This
module for beginners is followed by 3 more advanced modules.
http://www.utexas.edu/its/rc/tutorials/stat/spss/spss1/index.html
- SPSS
Tutorials
Access to 20+ selected tutorials, general and specialised. at various
levels plus related help, all free.
http://pages.infinit.net/rlevesqu/spss.htm
- Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences
Seven practical lessons designed to build confidence in entering data
and performing basic statistical procedures, in preparation for independent
experiment and discovery
http://cs.furman.edu/rushing/mellonj/spss1.htm
Top
Group Work, Seminar
and Presentation Skills
- Art
of Asking Good Questions, The (Learning: Connecting Youth to
a Brighter Future)
This covers the types and structure of questions,
and how to lead a discussion. Related topics include Inquiry-based
learning, and there are links to other sites about questions.
http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/teaching/questions.asp
- Art
of Effective Questioning
The context is professional development in business
or law, but the principles are applicable to any sisutation whre
people need to work together.
http://www.coachingforchange.com/pub10.html
- Effective
Presentations (Kansas University Medical Centre)
This is part of an online tutorial series by a visual neuroscientist
which also includes Designing Effective Visual Aids and Creating an
Effective Poster Presentation, both accessed from this page.
http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/effective.html
- Effective
Presentations (Yale University)
Twenty-five clear PowerPoint pages covering all the essentials.
http://info.med.yale.edu/library/education/effective.pdf
- Giving
an Oral Presentation (University of Canberra)
One of a series of well-designed pages belonging to the university's
Academic Skills Online. It covers not only preparing, organising and
delivering a presentation, but also Using visual aids and Dealing the
nervousness.
http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/learning/oral
- Group
Work and Autonomous Learning (Middlesex University)
This is just one sample from a huge array of information and links
for students on this site. From the first section, Autonomous Learning,
scroll down to Group Work and keep on going--There is lots more on
groups, e.g. team and group skills, aims, roles, group presentations,
problems...
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/WWW/STUDY/control.htm#Groups/Middlesex
- Oral
Presentation Advice (University of Wisconsin)
A small but useful collection including A Generic Conference
Talk Outline, Academic Interview Talk, and How to Give a Bad Talk(!).
http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~markhill/conference-talk.html#think
- Oral Presentations (University
of Surrey)
Part of a smart looking Skills Unit Pack dealing with the Communications
Cycle and the various forms of output (e.g. Oral Presentation, Report
Writing.
http://www.surrey.ac.uk/Skills/pack/pres.html
- Presentation Helper
There are many useful pages on this site offering lessons, hints and
tips, samples, Powerpoint templates, quotations...but the place to
start is with Effective Presentations This gives quick lessons
in the basics: using visuals, rehearsing, and 'the rule of three'.
http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/
- Presentation
Skills (Learning Centre, North Coast Institute,
NSW)
There are practical hints for giving an oral presentation (with visuals)
as well as Ten Do's and Don'ts for a student preparing one.
http://www.ncistudent.net/StudySkills/PresentationSkills/Introduction.htm
-
Presentation
Skills Checklist (International Rice Research
Institute)
This Fact Sheet is a reminder that knowledge is of little use
unless it is communicated to the people who need it. Part of
the IRRI's mission in the ten countries comprising it is to train
for successful technology transfer so as to effect change which
will improve the well-being of rice farmers and consumers while
protecting the environment. This includes training in communication
skills.
http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/factSheets/Technology_Transfer_Methods/fs_presskills.pdf
Jan '08 This is a new URL for the checklist
- Seminar Skills (EASE:
Essential Academic Skills In English, University of Warwick)
Interactive presentations involving international students on Discussions
and Presentations which could be hooked up for class viewing and listening.
Video clips are accompanied by questions and activities. Another key
topic on this site in Listening to Lectures.
http://www.ease.ac.uk/ss2/index.aspx
- Ten
Tips for Creating Effective Presentations in Powerpoint 2002 (Microsoft)
Step-by-step instructions.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/previous/xp/columns/column08.asp
- Thinkquest
Thinkquests are educational projects culminating in web sites created
collaboratively. Teams of students (at all levels) compete in an
annual competition and the results (some 5,500 at present) are
posted for the world to see.
http://library.thinkquest.org
- Working
in Groups (Harvard University)
There are six Quick Guide handouts for students on aspects of the group
process plus a sheet for faculty.
http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/html/icb.topic58474/wigintro.html
- Working
in Groups and Giving an Oral Presentation ( University of Canberra
, Australia )
Accessible but thorough treatment of group assignments with advice
on making the process work well, possible problems and assertive behaviour
in group work. The second page covers not only Preparing, Organising
and Delivering a presentation, but also Using visual aids and Dealing
with nervousness.
http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/learning/groups
Top
Academic Writing Skills: General
- ABC of Academic
Writing and ABC of Essays (Middlesex University)
Extensive, but the alphabetical index means you can get to the parts
you want: essay plan, focus, reports, literature reviews, argument... The
ABC of Study index gives access to even more.
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/WWW/STUDY/gloess.htm
- How to Summarize (Mantex)
Twenty tips plus a summary example.
http://www.mantex.co.uk/samples/summary.htm
- Mantex Information Design: Writing
This site provides a great deal of free advice as well as recommendations
of downloadable books, software and websites. Click on Writing -->
Study guides and on Free tutorials -> Study Skills to access various
free downloads, e.g. Taking notes, Common essay problems, What
examiners want, Books. Literature students will find
much else of value on this site.
http://www.mantex.co.uk/
- Online
Writing Lab (OWL) (Purdue University)
The best-known source for guidance on all aspects of academic writing. Includes
a section on the Research Paper Another part of the OWL site
is specifically for ESL students, offering resources, handouts and
exercises on aspects of grammar and usage.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/internet/resources/index.html
- Online
Tutorials (University of Waterloo)
While many parts of this site are intended
for Waterloo students, some are relevant to students anywhere and to
students of any discipline. Suggestions: Resources for research; How
do I -->Write assignments and cite sources; Online tutorials --> Welcome
to TILT@UW (Interactive; Online tutorials --> Using the web as an
aid in research
http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/usered/howdoi/index.html
-
- Process
for Writing a Summary (St. Cloud University
Literacy Online)
This in only one in a long list of topics on Academic Writing.
- http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/summary.html
- Resources
for Writers (George Mason University)
A newly revamped site with an impressive range of resources Online
Workshops (with Powerpoint), Handouts (lots of them), Writing Guides,
Avoiding Plagiarism , Virtual Reference Center...
http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/resources/handouts.html
- Summary (
Mantex Information Design: Study Skills)
This site provides a great deal of free advice as well as recommendations
of books, software and other web sites.
http://www.mantex.co.uk/homepage.htm
- Writing
Skills (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology)
Excellent interactive tutorials with printable handouts on all aspects
of academic writing, e.g. summarising, paraphrasing, paragraphs, linking
words, referencing, academic style.... [Study Skills]
http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/
- Writing
the Academic Paper (Dartmouth Writing Program)
Besides the ten modules in this section there are special sections
for subject fields, and special topics such as Writing a Thesis and
Using Sources
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/toc.shtml
- Writing Tutorial
Services (Indiana University)
A well-regarded series of pamphlets each dealing
with a specific writing task or issue, e.g. Plagiarism, Citing Sources
in MLA/APS Style,, Proofreading, Book Reviews.....
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml
Top
Types of Writing
Argument
- Write
an Effective Argument (EnglshBiz)
The advice is sound and clearly presented on a colourful site with
helpful hyperlinks. From here you can also access pages on persuasion--and
nearly 20 other topics related to writing (and preparing for exams
at 'A' Level).
http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/mainguides/argue.htm
-
Writing
Argumentative Essays (Paradigm Online Writing Assistant:
POWA)
A multi-award winning site authored by an emeritus professor of English. The
attractive and fully informative pages on this topic deal with such
subtopics as Occasions for Argumentative Essays, Anticipating Opposition,
Argumentative Appeals, Arguing for Consensus. Take time to look
at other pages, e.g. Writing Thesis/Support Essays
http://english.ttu.edu/kairos/3.1/news/paradigm/index.html
Book and Product Reviews
See also TESL -->
Literature
- Bibliobibuli
An example of a respected blog (web log) giving access to many book
reviews from sources around the world, as well as news of authors
and events, articles on books, reading and creative writing, daily
commentary, links, etc. The Malaysia-based author is a former
teacher trainer who now teaches creative writing.
http://thebookaholic.blogspot.com/
- ConsumerSearch.com
This is considered the best 'expert review' site on the Internet. It
collates and presents the best reviews of products. Go to the FAQs
page to get an idea of criteria and standards for writing this kind
of review.
http://www.consumersearch.com/
- Epinions.com
This is considered the best site for reviews by users-- 'real people'
as opposed to 'experts'-- of millions of products and services. Click
on Help --> FAQs --> Writing Reviews for some instruction.
If you are in a business-related field you could do some useful practicing
of your critical thinking, evaluation and writing skills here.
http://www.epinions.com
- How
to Write a Book Review (Encyclopedia Britannica)
A complete guide to writing book reviews, reports and literary criticism.
with recommendations of both print and online additional resources.
http://corporate.britannica.com/library/home/BSW_Book_Review.pdf
- Prewriting
Questions for Book, Movie or Play Reviews (The Write Place, St.
Cloud State University)
A way to generate and focus ideas for the review. Continue to
the second part: Requirements and Structure of a review.
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/bookrevpre.html
- Reading
a Nonfiction Book to Review It
Sets out clearly what to do and how
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/CriReadingBook.html
-
Schematic
Approach to Writing about Literature and Film, A (George Mason
University)
Questions and elements to guide response and writing. Note
that most handouts at GMU are now accessed from the new address for
Resources for Writers, listed in the previous section.
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/literature.html
- Write
a Book Review
A workshop with a model review (of To Kill a Mockingbird),
writing tips and challenges, revision guidelines and an invitation
to write a review for submission online.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/wrItewIt/bookrev/index.htm
- Writing
Book Reviews (Library Guide Services, University
of Waterloo)
While most parts of this site are intended for Waterloo students, some
are relevant to students anywhere of any discipline. From the
Book Reviews page you can access Resources for Research, How
do I (e.g. write assignments and cite sources) and Online Tutorials.
http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/libguides/1-12.html
- Writing
Book Reviews (Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University)
Questions to ask while reading, how to write the review, an example
and a reminder to polish.
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/book_reviews.shtml
Instructions
Reports
- Assessment Tasks: Reports (Royal
Melbourne Institute of Technology)
Besides general advice, e.g. on purpose and audience, the section includes
a listing of common types of report (business, science, engineering,
research...) with the headings and subheadings usually found in each.
There is also help with the Language of Reports. (The other Assessment
Tasks include Essays, Case Studies and Oral Presentation.)
http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/
- Report
Writing (University of Surrey)
A well-organised site offering easy-on-the-eyes treatment of the stages
in report writing.
http://www.surrey.ac.uk/Skills/pack/report.html
- Report Writing
for Scientists (Mantex Information Design)
The guidance notes explain the criteria for assessing a written report
and how to produce a successful one.
http://www.mantex.co.uk/samples/reports.htm
- Unilearning Report
Writing (University of Wollongong)
A thorough guide to writing, structuring and presenting various types
of reports (Scientific, Technical, Business, Field)
http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/report/
- Writing:
Handouts and Links (The Writing Center, University of
North Carolina)
A complete set of guides under four headings: Writing
the Paper, Grammar & Mechanics (including citations), Specific
Writing Assignments and Writing in Specific Fields--each with up to
20 subheadings (=handouts) such as Fallacies, Thesis Statement, Reviews:
How to write one, APA/MLA Citation...
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/
- Writing
Research Reports (OWL, Purdue University)
This is yet another section of the OWL site from Purdue. The hypertext
takes you through some ways to get started writing a report, explains
all the sections, and offers some general technical writing guidelines.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/reportW/
For Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations see
DOING RESEARCH AND WRITING IT UP (below)
Examination Preparation and Techniques
- Exams:
Preparing, Writing and Beyond (Student Development Centre, University
of Western Ontario)
There are seven printable handouts available for this part of the Learning
Skills section. covering preparation, essay and multiple choice questions,
time management and more. Look at the other topics too, e.g. Memory
and Thinking Skills.
http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/learning/index.html?topics
- Exam
Strategies: How to Tackle Exam Questions (Learning Strategies
Center, Cornell University)
You will find this under Tips for Studying and Taking Exams. Then check
adjacent pages, e.g. Multiple Choice Tests, Words to Watch for in Essay
Questions,
http://www.clt.cornell.edu/campus/learn/SSWorkshops/SKResources.html
- Exam Strategies (Language
and Academic Skills (ESL), La Trobe University)
Quick, bulleted advice under four headings: Time Management, Preparation,
Anxiety, During the Exam. You may wish to check out the other Study
Skills topics too
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/lasesl/exam.html
- Improving
Math Study and Test Taking Skills ( Richland Community College
, Ill.)
Steps to take and mistakes to avoid in preparing for and taking maths
tests/exams
http://www.richland.edu/james/misc/testtake.html
- Master
Student ( University of California , Berkeley )
A PowerPoint Presentation in 29 slides which includes memory techniques,
notemaking, preparing for exams, predicting questions and exam technique
http://navsci.berkeley.edu/ns1/PPT/Memory.ppt
- Revision
and Exams (BizEd)
This is especially for students of economics, business, management
and related fields. Besides the four topics under Revision and Exams
(e.g. Exam Technique) you might want to look at other sections such
as Multiple Choice or Data Response under the General heading. There
is also a BizEd Question Bank.
http://www.bized.co.uk/reference/studyskills/revision.htm
Top
DOING RESEARCH and WRITING IT UP
The Research Process (General)
- Brainstorming Research Questions
How to ask both factual and interpretive questions, with examples.
http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/10_brainstorming_questions.asp
- CRLS
Research Guide (Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Cambridge
MA)
Multi-award school site setting out the basics of research in 21 Tip
Sheets( e.g. Framing Essential Questions); there are supporting worksheets
and examples, and also a section devoted to the Big6.
http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/sitemap.htm
- Preparing
and Writing a Dissertation (University of Kent)
A dissertation is simply an advanced research paper and this straightforward
overview of the writing process is relevant at beginning university
level too. From here you can get to a page specifically for
undergraduates starting out on the first big paper, as well as the
many other useful study skills pages on this site.
http://www.kent.ac.uk/UELT/learning/learning-resources/sldr/files/dissertation1.pdf
- Procedure
for Writing a Term Paper (Virginia Polytechnic Institute)
Divided into six distinct tasks, the task looks less formidable.
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/termpaper.html
- Researching
for Your Assignment
A thorough yet accessible treatment of the process of finding, using
and acknowledging sources for your paper or article. For help with
the actual reading, thinking and writing go to one of the other parts
of this site--or one of the recommendations in the general Study Skills
section above.
http://www.canberra.edu.au/library/research-gateway/research_help/assignments
- Research Guide for Student,
A
A retired Canadian teacher librarian has created a site used by thousands
of secondary and college students worldwide who need to write a report
or a research essay/term paper--or to create a web page. Emphasis is
on the MLA style of referencing but the general advice is universal.
http://www.aresearchguide.com/
- Research
Paper, The (Eastern Kentucky University)
A complete course (Composition 102) presented through 1-2 page handouts
on 27 topics
http://www.english.eku.edu/SERVICES/COMP102/DEFAULT.HTM
- Stages
of the Writing Process
An online Writer's Handbook with five major stages: Planning to Write,
Creating an Argument, Working with Sources, Drafting and Revising Your
Paper and Finishing Your Paper.
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/Process.html
- Writing
a Research Paper Workshop and Writing
a Research Paper Handouts (Purdue University)
Both of these sections can be recommended:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/index.html
- Writing
a Thesis (Dartmouth Writing Program)
Especially interesting as much of the advice has been gleaned from
students who have gone through the process at this Ivy League college.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/thesis.shtml
Top
Action Research for Teachers
- Action
Research for Teachers
An online guide prepared by teachers for teachers. Each section
(e.g. Preparation, Planning, Action, Results and Resources) features
video clips, powerpoint slides, handouts and other
ingredients for providing a professional training workshop
http://www.nefstem.org/teacher_guide/intro/index.htm
- Action
Research Web Page for Teachers
This page from Mrs Mitchell's Virtual
School provides a list of sites for teachers who want to learn more
about Action Research. Overall, this is a good example of a lively
site run by a practicing teacher.
http://www.kathimitchell.com/actres.html
- Classroom
Action Research
Covers 18 topics e.g. What to teacher researchers do? Guidelines
for data collection/for analysing your data. Writing prompts...,
Ideas for your final write-up, Some effects of teacher research
projects...
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/sod/car/carhomepage.html
- Dissecting
My Classroom: A teacher experiments
with action research
A first person account by an ESL teacher which appeared
in a Brown University free online periodical called Voices from The
Field. (no longer active).
http://www.alliance.brown.edu/pubs/voices/index.shtml
- Hosting
Research in Schools
A series of 22 questions from the National Teachers Research Panel
UK to guide the research process so that outcomes are beneficial to all
concerned.
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/ntrp/ourwork/hostingresearch/
- Teacher
Research: Action
Research
Complete coverage from what it is and how it is like and different
from other forms of research and professional development, to the process,
types of data collection, data analysis, drawing conclusions and implications,
writing a draft, getting published, and more. From
the Graduate School of Education, George Mason University.
http://gse.gmu.edu/research/tr/
- Using
Action Research for Teachers' Self-Development
A good summary of what is involved by a British Council teacher trainer
and materials developer in South Africa.
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/methodology/action_research.shtml
Top
Locating Information
- Brainboost
This is a new kind of search engine, 'the 100% automated natural question
answering search machine'. That means you can key in a question
in 'natural' English and get back an answer rather than simply
more links to other sites.
http://www.brainboost.com/
- BUBL (Centre for Digital Library
Research, Strathclyde University )
Now much more than the original BUlletin Board for Libraries, this
remains a top Internet resource for librarians and academic researchers
in all fields. Resources are classified according to the Dewey Decimal
system. You can access an annotated directory of East and Southeast
Asia Internet Resources from here.
http://bubl.ac.uk
- Directory
of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
The DOAJ covers free, full text, quality-controlled scholarly journals.
It aims to cover all subjects and languages. There are now (August
2006) some 2500 journals in the directory of which over 600 are searchable
at article level and about 100,000 articles.
http://www.doaj.org/
- LibrarySpot
An invaluable, award-winning collection 'simplifying the search for
the best library and reference resources on the Web'. All of its
sites are hand-selected and reviewed for 'exceptional quality, content
and utility'.
http://www.libraryspot.com/
- Noodle Tools
This company produces software--some of it free--that helps students
learn (and educators teach) how to search intelligently, assess quality, take
useful notes--and produce citations perfectly formatted in either
ALA or MLA style. One of the co-founders also edits Knowledge
Quest for the American Association of School Librarians. A
subscription to the full service is US$4.00 for 3 months, $8.00 for
a year.
http://www.noodletools.com/
.
- OPACS in Malaysia (Perpustakaan Negara
Malaysia )
From the National Library's home page you can access various university,
public and specialist libraries in Malaysia . Some of them provide
an inter-library loan service should you wish to use a book available
elsewhere but not in your own library.
http://www.pnm.my
- Questia
This is the world's largest online library with approaching 2 million
books, journals and articles, and an entire reference set (dictionary,
thesaurus, encyclopedia). Among its services is step-by-step guidance
in writing a research paper, supported by thousands of suggested
topics plus starter suggestions of quality and 'deep content' sources
for each. A book available in its entirety (free) via Questia is
Barbara G Friedman (2004) Web Search Strategies and Shortcuts
for Online Research (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum) A subscription (US$19.95)
gives access to the whole of Questia; there is a free newsletter.
http://www.questia.com
- RefDesk
Refdesk.com offers an extremely comprehensive yet
very navigable catalogue of web resources. The sheer number of links
makes it a good idea to start with a site tour . Then you might look
at the Facts Subject Index and Facts Encyclopedia to see what is there
for you, e.g. subject-specific sites, or grammar and style reference.
http://www.refdesk.com
- Research
guides (University of Canberra Library) ADD?
An excellent one-stop site for undergraduate research, with links to
general and subject-specific sources: books, articles, web sites and
databases. Many of the resources are available to users outside the
university.
http://www.canberra.edu.au/library/research-gateway/guides
- Seven
Steps to Effective Library Research (Cornell University
Library)
Advice on all aspects of library research from locating material to
citing sources.
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/tutorial.html
- Stages
of the Writing Process
An online Writer's Handbook with five major stages: Planning to Write,
Creating an Argument, Working with Sources, Drafting and Revising Your
Paper and Finishing Your Paper.
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/Process.html
- Sunway
University College and Monash University , Kuala Lumpur (Tun
Hussein Onn Library: GeoWeb)
Click on the Non-Members button. Try the simple tutorials on searching
a Library of Congress collection.
http://thol.sunway.edu.my/html/geaclogin/thol/online_ser.htm
- Understanding
Call Numbers(University of Hawaii)
A simple well-illustrated introduction to the Library of Congress classification
system
http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/legacylib/callno.html
- University
of Melbourne Library
Sample topics: Smart Searching Guides, Beginning
Research, Finding Information, Evaluating Information, Acknowledging
Sources. This library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification system.
http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/sg/tools.html#Basics
Top
Avoiding Plagiarism and Writing Summaries
See also the Notemaking pages on Study Skills sites above
Avoiding Plagiarism
Nearly every site listed above under The Research Process includes information
on plagiarism and how to avoid it. Look at the relevant page(s)
among some of them too. Also refer to the Notemaking pages on
Study Skills sites above. Proper notemaking and summarising techniques
eliminate the risk of plagiarism.
- Avoiding
Plagiarism (Purdue University)
Besides an overview of the problem, there is practical help in determining
'Is it plagiarism yet? and a section on Safe Practices followed
by examples.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/
- Avoiding Plagiarism (Georgetown University)
Ten quick tips for ensuring you will not be found guilty of plagiarism.
http://www12.georgetown.edu/student-affairs/arc/acad-plagiarism.cfm
- Plagiarism (University
of Essex)
This site conveys the seriousness with which plagiarism--even through
ignorance--is viewed and how you can avoid it. There is also a section
on cheating in examinations.
http://www.essex.ac.uk/plagiarism/
- Plagiarism:
What It Is and How to Recognize and Avoid It (indiana University)
One of the must useful sources on plagiarism because it deals with
all the key questions (e.g. Why it is important? How can students avoid
it?), gives examples and practice in How to Recognise Acceptable
and Unacceptable Paraphrasing, discusses Plagiarism and the Web and
What is Common Knowledge? and suggests Strategies for Avoiding Plagiarism
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
- Paraphrasing
and Summary Writing (Columbia University)
Check on these handouts: Avoiding Plagiarism, Effective Paraphrasing
and Writing
Summaries. There are others available too.
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/write/handouts.html
- Process
for Writing a Summary (St Cloud University Literacy
Online)
When you have looked at the advice on summaries, click on Return to
the Write Place Catalogue and scroll through the long list of other
topics available e.g.Using Paraphrases.
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/summary.html
Top
Documenting Sources
The information you must cite about
sources for your written work is more or less the same in any field.
However, different fields use different styles for formatting this information
in research papers, reports, journal articles and other formal writing. Find
out what citation style your department requires. It
is most likely to be one of these: Harvard, APA (which is based on the
Harvard system) MLA or CBE . Sometimes the choice is left to you, but
what is important is that you use one recognized style consistently throughout
your paper.
Your library probably has manuals
for the style your lecturer recommends but there are plenty of online
sources too. From the many choices, use your evaluation skills to select
the site you will use to guide your referencing.
- ABC of Referencing
- ABC of Citation: Harvard System (Middlesex
University)
A colourful guide to the Harvard (or name/date) system of referencing
whey the author's surname and year of publication are cited in the
text e.g. [Floyd, 2006), and a reference list of all the citations,
in alphabetical order by author, is included at the end of the paper,
article, chapter or book.
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/WWW/STUDY/refer.htm
- Citing and Referencing:
How to acknowledge your sources (Monash University)
Tutorials guide you through the research process, including citation
of sources. There are examples from all the major styles.
http://lib.monash.edu.au/tutorials/citing
- Documenting Your Sources (Paradigm
Online Writing Assistant: POWA)
What and how to document, with ten templates to help you document your
own papers in perfect form.
http://www.powa.org/
- Harvard
Referencing 2006 (Curtin University of Technology,
Perth)
The in-text and reference list examples are in table form which make
them easy to use.
http://library.curtin.edu.au/referencing/harvard.pdf
- Writing Guidelines for Engineering
and Science Students (Virginia Tech)
Clear yet comprehensive guidelines containing advice, models and practical
exercises to help in the kinds of writing and speaking assignments
in particular subjects.
http://www.writing.eng.vt.edu/
- Writing
in the Sciences (University of North Carolina)
This is just one of a series of excellent handouts and guides from
this source. Under Writing the Paper there is clearly presented help
with such aspects as thesis statements, paragraphs, plagiarism, transitions...
The Grammar and Mechanics section includes guides to the MLA, APA
and CBE citation styles.
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/sciences.html
Top
Writing a Thesis Statement
- Developing
a Thesis Statement (The Writing Center, University Wisconsin-Madison)
Five steps, each simply but helpfully elaborated.
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/thesis_def.html
- How
to Write a Thesis Statement (Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana
University)
A step-by-step approach to achieving a strong thesis statement, with
plenty of examples.
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml
- Thesis
Statement (Literacy Education Online, St Cloud State University)
A simple sheet making clear what a thesis statement is, and isn't,
through apt examples
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
- Thesis
Statements (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
What a thesis statement is, how to get one, how to tell if it's strong
enough and examples of how to improve a statement weak one.
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
- Writing
a Thesis Statement
A handout providing general tips plus explanation of the different
types of thesis statement as well as links to other resources. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_thesis.html
Top
Revising and Proofreading
- Economist
Style Guide, The
All journalists at The Economist are given
this style guide. Look particularly at the headings under Introduction,
e.g. Short words, Unnecessary words, Active and passive, Jargon.
http://www.economist.com/research/styleGuide/
- Editing
and Proofreading Strategies for Revision (OWL, Purdue
University)
Specific advice, with appropriate links to the right places for getting
further support elsewhere on the site.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_edit.html
- Finishing
Your Paper (The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison)
The last of the stages in The Writer's Handbook, with an editing checklist
of 12 common errors and advice on just how to carry out the proofreading.
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/Process.html
- Improve Your
Writing Skills (Mantex)
This is a free e-book which covers everything from overcoming writer's
block, writing strategies, drafts and layout, through paragraph and
sentence structure, to final editing (with a checklist) and proper
use of each punctuation mark.
http://www.mantex.co.uk/samples/ebooks.htm
- Presenting
Research Findings: Market Research (BizEd)
There is a worthwhile task involving role play for your group: presenting
and delivering market research data. The task includes evaluating
the research and your presentation of it. The support includes
a summary of methods of presenting data: statistical, written
or visual, diagrammatic and a reminder of limitations in using
market research data.
http://www.bized.co.uk/educators/16-19/business/marketing/lesson/findings1.htm
- Proofreading (Writing
Centre, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
An excellent handout of tips, strategies and practice. There
are 20 other helpful handouts in the series.
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/proofread.html
- Writing Tutorial
Services (Indiana University)
For revision and proofreading purposes, choose the pamphlets on Paragraphs
and Topic Sentences and Proofreading for Common Errors.
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml
Last updated 9 June 2008
Created by Jean Floyd for English Language Teaching Centre
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
© 2001-2008
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