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. Everyone is welcome to use these pages. If you are a degree-seeking UNC student or a UNC faculty member, you can also make an appointment to work with a tutor at any stage of your writing process. Click here for more information about the services available to writers at UNC.

UNC Writing Center handouts on writing and the writing process


UNC Writing Center handouts on grammar


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UNC Resources

  • New! English Language & American Culture workshop series at the Writing Center&emdash;free support for undergraduate and graduate students, scholars, and faculty who want to improve their English or learn more about American life and university culture.
  • 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:

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Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout (just click print) and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill