ESL Student Resources
What this handout is about
American academic writing has certain features that are different from the features of academic writing in other parts of the world. There are also differences in the classroom culture—the attitudes, behavior, and expectations of professors and students. This page is a good introduction to American academic writing, effective writing strategies, a few difficult grammar points, and the behavior expected of students in American universities. Use these pages, but also make an appointment to work with a tutor at any stage of your writing process.
UNC Writing Center handouts on writing and the writing process
- Understanding the assignment
- Writing academic arguments
- Reading to write
- Evaluating evidence for your argument
- Brainstorming
- Constructing thesis statements
- Developing paragraphs
- Using quotations effectively
- Getting feedback on your writing
- Reorganizing and revising
- Editing and proofreading
UNC Writing Center handouts on grammar
- Articles (a, an, the) (Just three basic rules and two basic questions!)
- Commas
- Conditionals
- Fragments and run-on sentences
- Transitions
UNC Resources
- The UNC Writing Center offers face-to-face and online tutorials. Learn more about our services here.
- The Office of International Student and Scholar Services hosts a conversation partners program, an international women's conversation group, and an international friendship program to help you meet people in your new community.
- The Preparing International Teaching Assistants Program helps graduate teaching assistants improve their English language and teaching skills for the American classroom culture.
- The Student Organizations list will help you find your people! Search this page to find campus organizations you would enjoy being involved with.
- The Writing Center's Help for Hire page can help you find a private tutor or editor when our services don't quite match your needs.
Other internet resources:
- Purdue University Online Writing Center
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ - Ohio University Writing Center
http://www.ohiou.edu/esl/english/writing/index.html - UsingEnglish.com: Excellent source for idioms and phrasal verbs!
http://www.usingenglish.com/ - National Public Radio: Hundreds of podcasts on fascinating topics
http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_directory.php?type=main - Randall's Cyber Listening Lab: Audio clips with comprehension and vocabulary exercises
http://www.esl-lab.com/ - EnglishClub.com: links to numerous quizzes
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/index.htm
