Writing online can be a daunting task, especially for those just starting out. There are many free resources available to help you improve your writing skills.
Grammar Girl is a popular website that offers tips and tricks for improving grammar and punctuation.
The Purdue Online Writing Lab is another valuable resource, providing guides and tutorials on various aspects of writing, including grammar, style, and research.
If you're looking for a community of writers to connect with, the Writing.com forum is a great place to start.
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Writing Tools
Write More is a free tool that blocks distractions and keeps you on track with your writing. It tracks your word count and saves your writing automatically.
You can set up your account with Write More, which asks questions about your preferences for a theme and word count goal. You can also select features like creative writing prompts and email or text reminders.
Write More saves your writing as a page, which you can open whenever you need to. You can download your page as a Word Document, Html, or Text File.
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One of the favorite parts of Write More is the analytics feature, which shows you how much you've written each day over a more extended period. This feature encouraged the writer to keep writing because it shows progress or lack of progress.
Write More is a brand new tool, as of January 2022, and it's currently free, but it's not clear how long it will remain free.
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Grammar & Punctuation
Grammar and punctuation are the building blocks of effective writing. Use English Punctuation Correctly for a quick crash course.
Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing, covering grammar rules and word choice guidelines. Mignon Fogarty's tips make complex grammar questions simple with memory tricks to help you recall and apply those troublesome grammar rules.
Better Writing Skills contains 26 short articles with writing tips about punctuation, character spacing, and more. These tips can help you improve your writing and avoid common mistakes.
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The Guide to Grammar and Writing is an older, yet very useful site that will help you improve your writing on word & sentence level, paragraph level, and also essay & research paper level. It's a great resource for writers of all levels.
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant contains articles that explain common grammar mistakes and basic punctuation. It's a great place to visit and read if you want to improve your writing skills.
Grammar and punctuation guides can be overwhelming, but English Style Guide - Economist provides brief and precise hints on how to use metaphors, punctuation, and figures.
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Online Resources
Online resources are a treasure trove for writers, offering a wealth of information and tools to help you improve your craft.
The Purdue OWL is a comprehensive resource that covers all citation styles, including AMA, APA, Chicago, and MLA. You can also find guides on paraphrasing, citing, and formatting papers.
If you're looking for specific style guides, the APA Style Guide is available on the official APA website, as well as on the Purdue OWL. The APA References and In-Text Citations guides are also available in PDF format.
For those who need help with grammar and writing, the Purdue OWL and Duke University's Writing Studio offer printable guides and online resources. You can also check out HyperGrammar2, a University of Ottawa Writing Centre resource that covers grammar rules by topic area.
Here are some online resources for writers:
- The Purdue OWL (all citation styles)
- APA Style Guide (Official Website)
- Grammar Girl (quick and dirty explanations for common grammar rules)
Google Docs
Google Docs is a powerful tool for writing and revising. It's similar to Microsoft Word in terms of its functionality.
You can write, comment, and edit a document with others in real-time, making it a great option for collaborative projects. This feature allows for interactive writing, as you can share a document with someone via a link or email.
Google Docs makes it easy to download a file in a PDF or MS Word format, which is handy when you need to submit a piece of writing as an MS Word or PDF document.
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Blog/Web Articles/Teaching Support
If you're looking for resources to help you teach writing online, there are several great options to consider. Faculty Focus has a useful article called "Six Practical Approaches for Teaching Writing Online" by Christian Aguiar and Albert Pearsall, III.
If you're looking for a comprehensive style guide, Sound Writing's Open Access Style Guide from the University of Puget Sound is a great resource. It covers a wide range of topics, including grammar, rhetoric, and other writerly choices.
The Nature of Writing is another useful resource that provides definitions and guidance on various aspects of writing. It's a great tool to have in your teaching arsenal.
If you're looking for more resources, you can also check out the list below:
- Faculty Focus: Six Practical Approaches for Teaching Writing Online by Christian Aguiar and Albert Pearsall, III
- Sound Writing Open Access Style Guide from the University of Puget Sound
- The Nature of Writing Definitions and guidance on grammar, rhetoric, and other writerly choices
- "Look Out Below"!: The Effectiveness of Email Comments Conference presentation by Courtney Buck, Emily Nolan, Jamie Spallino (2019). East Central Writing Centers Association (ECWCA)
Visuwords
Visuwords is more than a visual thesaurus because it also shows you the lexicon around a word. You can see how words fit within a phrase.
Visuwords is free and runs on donations, so consider making a small donation if you use it regularly. Visuwords uses color-coding to show parts of speech, with blue for nouns, green for verbs, orange for adjectives, and red for adverbs.
The website creates a web that shows you the relationship of words, whether they mean the same thing, are examples of, or are a type of something. You can see whole phrases put together, making it a powerful tool for writers and learners.
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Power Thesaurus
Power Thesaurus is a community-driven website that offers a vast collection of synonyms, antonyms, and definitions for words. It's free to use, but be prepared for some pop-up ads.
Power Thesaurus has an impressive 394 words and phrases for the word "curious" alone, as seen in their example. You can browse through these options to find the perfect word for your writing or conversation.
The website's community-driven approach means that information may not always be accurate, so it's a good idea to double-check with a dictionary or thesaurus like Merriam-Webster. Power Thesaurus does offer a Pro Subscription for $29.90 annually to avoid ads and get more features.
One of the benefits of Power Thesaurus is that it expands your word choices, giving you more options to express yourself.
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Productivity and Organization
Productivity and Organization is a crucial aspect of effective online writing.
Evernote is a powerful tool for organizing notes, research, and ideas, and it's available across multiple platforms.
Having a clear writing schedule can help you stay focused and meet deadlines, such as setting aside dedicated time for writing each day.
Trello boards can be used to visualize and manage projects, breaking them down into smaller, actionable tasks.
A Pomodoro timer can help you stay on track and avoid burnout by working in focused 25-minute increments.
The ability to access your notes and research from anywhere can be a huge productivity booster, especially when working on a deadline.
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Writing Guides and Tips
Grammar Girl's website offers a comprehensive guide to grammar rules, with over 300 episodes covering topics from basic grammar to advanced punctuation.
For those struggling with sentence structure, Purdue's Online Writing Lab provides a detailed guide on how to write effective sentences.
The Elements of Style is a timeless writing guide that has been a favorite among writers for decades, covering topics from style to usage.
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Jamboard for Prewriting
You can start with an open-ended question like "What can I write?" and type every idea you have on an electronic sticky note. You can change the color and size of the sticky notes and move them around in any order.
One way to use Jamboard is to come up with writing ideas. I do this by typing every idea I have on an electronic sticky note, and then I can change the color and size of the sticky notes and move them around in any order.
You can also use Jamboard to develop ideas on a topic. Create sticky notes for main ideas using one color, and then add supporting details to each of those main ideas on sticky notes of a different color. I use this method when writing a blog post, and it helps me to see all my supporting details and main topics at a glance.
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Headlines and Trigger Words
Writing magnetic headlines is crucial for grabbing readers' attention and driving traffic to your content. A good headline can make all the difference in whether someone clicks or scrolls past your article.
You can write magnetic headlines by following simple rules, such as using action verbs and emphasizing benefits. For example, "5 Simple Ways to Open Your Blog Post With a Bang" is a headline that promises a tangible outcome and encourages readers to click.
Passive voice can actually be redeemed for web headings, making them more engaging and effective. This is because passive voice can create a sense of intrigue and curiosity.
To craft a compelling headline, consider using trigger words and phrases that resonate with your audience. For instance, "50 Trigger Words and Phrases for Powerful Multimedia Content" is a headline that speaks directly to creators and marketers.
Here are some key trigger words and phrases to get you started:
- 50 Trigger Words and Phrases for Powerful Multimedia Content
- 21 Traffic Triggers for Social Media Marketing
- Landing Page Tutorials and Case Studies
- Copywriting for e-Commerce
Remember, the key to writing effective headlines is to understand your audience and tailor your message accordingly. By using the right trigger words and phrases, you can create headlines that truly resonate with your readers.
Lists of Resources
The Purdue OWL is a comprehensive online resource that offers guidance on all major citation styles, including AMA, APA, Chicago, MLA, and Turabian. You can find everything from general citation guidelines to specific style guides and sample papers.
For APA style, the Purdue OWL provides a detailed guide, as well as a list of references and in-text citations. Additionally, the official APA website is also a valuable resource. If you're looking for a quick reference, the PDF guides on APA references and in-text citations are super helpful.
Here are some key resources to get you started:
These resources will give you a solid foundation for writing and citing in different styles.
Books
Books are a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration. Many people find it helpful to read books that align with their personal goals and interests.
If you're looking for self-improvement, consider reading "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. This book provides practical advice on how to develop habits that lead to personal and professional success.
Reading books on a wide range of topics can help you become more well-rounded and open-minded. By exploring different subjects and perspectives, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world and its complexities.
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If you're interested in learning a new language, try reading books written in that language. This can help you improve your language skills and get a feel for the culture and customs of the country where the language is spoken.
Books can also be a great way to relax and unwind. Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction, reading can be a great way to escape from the stresses of everyday life and recharge your batteries.
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9 Visuwords
Visuwords is a free online tool that offers more than just a visual thesaurus. It shows you the lexicon around a word and helps you see how words fit within a phrase.
You can type a word into the search bar and Visuwords will display a web of related words, including their parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Each part of speech is color-coded for easy identification.
The different lines on the web indicate the relationship of a word or phrase to the original term, whether they mean the same thing, are examples of, or are a type of something.
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11 Tools for 2022
As we dive into the world of resources, it's essential to have the right tools at your disposal.
Trello is a great project management tool that helps you stay organized and on track, with features like boards, lists, and cards to keep your tasks in order.
Evernote is a powerful note-taking app that allows you to capture and organize your thoughts, ideas, and research with ease.
Google Drive is a cloud storage solution that provides you with a secure and accessible place to store and share your files.
Canva is a user-friendly graphic design tool that makes it easy to create stunning visuals, from social media graphics to presentations.
Airtable is a versatile database and spreadsheet tool that helps you manage and track your data with flexibility and ease.
As a busy professional, I've found that having a reliable password manager like LastPass is a game-changer for keeping my online security in check.
Grammarly is a writing tool that helps you refine your writing skills and catch any grammar or spelling mistakes, making it a must-have for anyone who writes regularly.
RescueTime is a time management tool that provides you with valuable insights into how you spend your time, helping you stay focused and productive.
Calendly is a scheduling tool that streamlines your meeting and appointment scheduling process, making it easier to manage your time and reduce back-and-forth emails.
As I've learned from experience, having a reliable backup solution like Backblaze is crucial for protecting your important files and data from loss or corruption.
IFTTT (If This Then That) is a powerful automation tool that allows you to connect different apps and services, making it easier to streamline your workflow and save time.
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#6 Write More
Write More is a tool that blocks distractions and keeps you on track with your writing. It's a brand new tool, introduced in January 2022.
You can set up your account with Write More, which is currently free. You'll be asked questions about your preferences for a theme, including font style and background color.
You can also select features like word count goal, creative writing prompts, and email or text reminders at certain times of the day. Write More tracks your word count and saves your writing automatically.
Each piece of writing is saved as a page, which you can open and go back to whenever you need to. You can also download your page as a Word Document, HTML, or Text File.
One of the features I love about Write More is the analytics, which shows you how much you've written each day over a more extended period. This can be a great motivator to keep writing.
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10 Power Thesaurus
Power Thesaurus is a community-driven website that shows you synonyms, antonyms, and definitions for a word. It's free to use, but the free account includes pop-up ads.
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You can search for synonyms, like I did for the word "curious", and find a vast number of options - 394 words and phrases to be exact.
The website is a great tool for expanding your word choices, but be aware that information may not be accurate. It's a good idea to double-check words and phrases you're unsure of in a dictionary/thesaurus like Merriam-Webster.
If you want to avoid ads and get advanced extensions, you can purchase the Pro Subscription for $29.90 annually.
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2 Internet Archive
Internet Archive is an online public library with millions of sources from libraries all over the world. It's a treasure trove of free books, videos, articles, websites, and audio files.
You can find excellent credible primary and secondary sources on Internet Archive. My students love using it for research because they have access to many different types of media.
Type into the search bar your topic, title, or author, or perform an advanced search where you can specify the words contained, date range, author, and types of media. This feature helps narrow down results and make your search more efficient.
Internet Archive is a top resource I always include in Google Classrooms for my students.
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Sources
- https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/11-free-online-writing-tools-resources-you-will-love/
- https://libguides.depauw.edu/c.php
- https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/06/50-free-resources-that-will-improve-your-writing-skills/
- https://writingcenter.gwu.edu/resources-writers
- https://cbhs.edu/boost-your-writing-skills-resources-and-tools-for-academic-writing/
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