Writing Studio Resources - Longview - Learning Center - LibGuides at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

Assignment Goals

These handouts are to help you find more details on your assignments, as well as clarification on terms your instructions may contain.

Rhetorical Appeals
What you need to know about logos, pathos, and ethos for your essay on rhetorical devices.
Classical Argumentation
The most common style of an essay, also known as the Aristotelian model.
Toulmin Argumentation Style
Check out this handout for the whys and hows of Toulmin, in addition to the definitions of its parts.
Rogerian Argumentation
Take a look at this handout for an explanation of the Rogerian model and an activity to help you get started.
Toulmin, Rogerian, and Classical Comparisons
Here, notice the differences in the introductory paragraphs of the three ENGL102 essay models.
Thesis Statement Guide
This handout gives guidance for a clear and focused thesis statement.

Organization

These are a few outlines to help organize your ideas and get a loose structure for your essay.

Guide to Outlines
This handout explains why and how to organize an essay and includes a guided outline.
Loose Outline of a Paper
This outline can be general and include the main ideas of each paragraph.
Detailed Outline of a Paper
This outline gives more space for specific content in your essay, such as topic sentences and a thesis statement.
Reverse Outlining
Take a step back from your essay and evaluate if it's clear and logically organized.

Paragraphs

These handouts give direction for specific paragraphs in your essay.

Introductions
Beginning your essay can be easy with these tips.
Introduction and Conclusion Cookbook
Getting stuck getting started? Not sure how to finish? Follow the recipes here!
Paragraph Development
A body paragraph follows a simple and clear structure.

Word Choice

Here are some handouts that direct you towards words to use and words to avoid.

Using Transitions Effectively
The important phrases to connect your body paragraphs logically.
Figurative Language
Some words are more colorful and descriptive than others. Create a more detailed essay!
Overused Words
Some words can get repetitive, without you realizing it. Here are a few to avoid (and to replace)!
Effective Signal Phrases
Here are effective verbs to help integrate your sources and to avoid drop quotes.

Grammar

It’s hard to keep all the rules straight. Find a subject-specific handout to help!

That Tricky Comma: Some Rules to Help
This handout outlines some dos, some don'ts, and practice to conquer the comma.
Conjunctions
Includes “and,” “but,” “so,” “or,” “yet”… and when to use them.
Complete and Incomplete Sentences
There is a difference. Hint: Your professor wants complete sentences!
Dependent Phrases
These depend on the complete sentence close by.
Prepositions
Around, over, under, of, about, with, near… do you know the difference?
Semicolons
A unique punctuation mark to combine sentences.

Research

Evaluating Sources
When researching, take a look at this refresher on evaluating the quality of your sources.

Evaluate Your Sources
Created by Longview Library, this guide provides tips for researching online.
Reserach Tips
Created by Longview Library, this guide explains how to best use Boolean Operators and search terms during the research process.

Style

Different fields of study cite research differently. Which format does your field require?

MLA Template
Follow this template as a model MLA essay. Your essay should look like this!
MLA 9 Works Cited
External citation page, at the end of your essay for English and literature essays.
MLA In-text Citation Guide
These citations go within your paragraph, in your essay.
APA 7 Guide
Used in the fields of psychology, sociology, history, and communication.
Annotated Bibliography
A helpful research tool to keep track of your sources.
Chicago
Generally used in the business and art fields.

READ Handouts

Main Point & Supporting Sentences
Practice identifying the main point and supporting sentences that make up a paragraph.
Singular vs. Plural
These charts highlight the past, present, and future verb tenses with singular and plural subjects.
Signal Phrases
Key words that are context clues to finding the main point and supporting details.

Scholarship Essay Support

Steps for the Scholarship Essay
Not sure how to get started on your scholarship essay? Uncertain about the criteria? Check out these steps!

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Assignment Goals

These handouts are to help you find more details on your assignments, as well as clarification on terms your instructions may contain.

Organization

These are a few outlines to help organize your ideas and get a loose structure for your essay.

Paragraphs

These handouts give direction for specific paragraphs in your essay.

Word Choice

Here are some handouts that direct you towards words to use and words to avoid.

Grammar

It’s hard to keep all the rules straight. Find a subject-specific handout to help!

Research

Style

Different fields of study cite research differently. Which format does your field require?

READ Handouts

Scholarship Essay Support