RasGuides: *General Education Courses*: Writing Basics

Writing Basics

Elements of a basic sentence

A sentence is composed of a subject (a noun or noun phrase) and predicate (a verb or verb phrase) that expresses a complete thought.

Example:

Common questions about sentence construction:

Selections from the Online Library:

From Sentences to Essays by Mara Cogni
ISBN: 9781622736362
Publication Date: 2019-07-01
Spellbinding Sentences by Barbara Baig
ISBN: 9781599639154
Publication Date: 2015-08-07

Paragraph FAQs

Selections from the Online Library

Developing Paragraphs: State the Main Idea
In Beginning Writing I. (2015). Saddleback Publishing.
Paragraphs
In M. Cogni, From sentences to essays: A guide to reflective writing through reflective thinking. Wilmington, DE: Vernon.

Punctuation to end sentences:

Punctuation often found within sentences:

Other common punctuation marks:

Selections from the Online Library

Consult these ebooks to find solutions to your grammar questions.

The Chicago Guide to Grammar, Usage, and Punctuation by Bryan A. Garner
ISBN: 9780226188850
Publication Date: 2016-05-16
Making Sense by David Crystal
ISBN: 9780190660574
Publication Date: 2017-06-01
Top 50 Grammar Mistakes by Adrian Wallwork
ISBN: 9783319709833
Publication Date: 2018-02-01

Selections from the Online Library

Determining the purpose of your writing
Who is my audience?
Know your audience
Chapter from the book "Better business writing: Become a more powerful communicator."
Techniques to organize for the audience
Chapter from the book "Effective writing."

How can I chose a topic to write about?
Tips for picking a topic.
Defining a topic
Chapter from the book "Everything you need to know about writing a five-paragraph essay."
Choosing and Narrowing a Topic to Write About
Follow this tutorial to help you pick a topic.
Narrowing down your research topic
If your topic is too broad, it will be difficult to locate research. Ask yourself these questions to help narrow it down.
Brainstorming
Some databases can help you brainstorm a topic by mind mapping.
Developing a research plan
Information on picking a topic.
Improving Ideas: Techniques to better organize
Chapter from the book "Effective writing." Information on brainstorming, freethinking, and storyboarding.
Strategies for finding topics
Chapter from the book "Exploring college writing: Reading, writing, and researching across the curriculum."

What is a thesis statement?
Information on thesis statements along with examples.
Writing a thesis
Chapter from the book "Everything you need to know about writing a five-paragraph essay."
Thesis Builder

What is a run-on sentence and sentence fragment?
Information on how to fix run-on sentences and sentence fragments.
Sentence structure
Learn about the four types of sentence structures along with examples.
Basic sentence structure
Information about the different parts of a sentence.
Writing in first person, second person, and third person

What are the parts of a paragraph?
Example paragraph
Writing the body paragraphs
Chapter from the book "Everything you need to know about writing a five-paragraph essay."
How do I write a 5-paragraph essay?
Writing an introduction
The introduction paragraph
Chapter from the book "Everything you need to know about writing a five-paragraph essay."
Writing a conclusion
The conclusion
Chapter from the book "Everything you need to know about writing a five-paragraph essay."
Paragraph structure
Learn about the four essential parts of a paragraph.
Starting an argument paragraph
Directions on how to write an argument paragraph.

What is a rough draft?
Review your paper
Strategies for drafting
Chapter from the book "Exploring college writing: Reading, writing, and researching across the curriculum."

Checklist for paper editing
What to look for when proofing
Chapter from the book "Effective writing."
Grammarly
Use Grammarly to check for grammar, mechanics, spelling, word usage, and even plagiarism.
The Writing Lab
Use The Writing lab to have someone review your paper and provide feedback.
Strategies for revising
Chapter from the book "Exploring college writing: Reading, writing, and researching across the curriculum.