writers.com resources

Grammar, Style, Punctuation & Usage

Don't forget to check our own Writers.com Tips

American Heritage Book of English Usage
"Over 90,000 entries feature 10,000 new words and senses, 70,000 audio word pronunciations, 900 full-page color illustrations, language notes and word-root appendixes." (Bartleby)

Blue Book Guide to Grammar and Punctuation
Rules and quizzes based on the print book by Jane Straus.

Chicago Manual of Style
Q & A from *the* style book.

The Columbia Guide to Standard American English
"...extensive handbook of the language ever published features over 6,500 descriptive and prescriptive entires with 4,300 hyperlinked cross-references." (Bartleby)

Common Errors in English
Errors of usage: "The aim of this site is to help you avoid low grades, lost employment opportunities, lost business, and titters of amusement at the way you write or speak. "

Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr "Believing that one must first know the rules to break them, this classic [1918] reference book is a must-have for any student or writer." (Bartleby)

The King's English by H.W. Fowler 2nd Ed., 1908
"This reference work has remained a standard resource serving generations of students and writers with commonsense rules of style and grammar." (Bartleby)

Garbl's Writing Center
"Free portal to an editorial style manual, annotated directory of writing Web sites, concise writing guide, writing forum and writing bookshelf."

Grammar and Style Notes
Prof. Jack Lynch's "miscellany of grammatical rules and explanations, comments on style, and suggestions on usage."

Grammar and Usage for the Non-Expert
Tina Blue's articles "intended to solve common problems of grammar and usage for those people who want answers but who do not want a lot of technical explanations."

Grammar Lady
Mary Bruder provides answers to "grammar, punctuation, spelling, and other points about language.

Guide to Grammar and Writing/Principles of Composition/Ask Grammar
Excellent source of extensice information on grammar and writing plus interactive quizzes "Grammarlogs" and more.

Mencken's The American Language : An Inquiry into the Development of English in the United States 2nd Ed. 1921
H.L. Mencken's "classic defines the distinguishing characteristics of the language of the United States." (Bartleby)

NYU Punctuation Hand-out
Includes a history of punctuation, plus basics from Sonia Jaffe Robbins' "Editing Workshop" class.

Punctuation Made Simple
Simple guide to the "most useful punctuation marks." Instead of listing many rules they "discuss these various marks in general so that you can get a sense of how to use them in your own prose."

Writing English: Punctuation and Writing Tips
Advice on the comma ("the punctuation mark that causes us the most difficulty") is especially helpful. The "tips" are succinct and clear.

UVic Writer's Guide"
A university's writing site meant to assist in writing essays and papers contains many useful tips for other forms of writing as well.

:: Back to Resource Index ::

home:about:classes:enroll:services:instructors:newsletter:tips:store