Writing a Research Paper
For assistance with the library research aspect of a paper, GSU students should contact the subject specialist assigned to their discipline.
For general assistance with writing GSU students may submit their papers to The Writing Center at GSU tutors who will guide them through the writing process with suggestions for revisions on the thesis, organization, and structure.
Professors will generally ask students to follow a particular style for making citations to books and articles used in the paper and for creating a bibliography. If students are not sure which style to use, ask the professor. Students should always consult the style manual before beginning library research, so they will be sure to obtain all of the information needed for in-text citations and bibliographic entries.
Students with questions concerning grammar should try the grammar sites. Word choice can be enhanced using the dictionaries and thesauri, while general information can be found in the online encyclopedias.
Writing Assistance
The Writing Center at GSU provides support and services for students who cannot easily come to campus to meet with a writing tutor. Tutors will evaluate papers received online to help guide the student during the writing process and to supply responses which include general revision suggestions on the thesis, organization, and structure.
Style Manuals for Citations and Bibliographies
MLA
MLA ONLINE
Authoritative information on MLA style. From the side bar choose MLA Style and click. From the side bar on the MLA Style page choose Documenting Sources from the World Wide Web and click.
Chicago or Turabian Style
Chicago Style
The Chicago or Turabian style, sometimes called documentary note or humanities style, places bibliographic citations at the bottom of a page or at the end of a paper.
APA Style
How to Cite Information From the World Wide Web
APA recommendations for citing web information.
OWL at Purdue University: Using APA Format
Documenting Sources using APA Style
Your librarian's powerpoint presentation with examples of APA citations.
Scientific Writing
Science Writing Aids: Indiana University
Links to manuals, style guides, and software.
More Style Manuals & Writing Guides
GSU Documentation Styles
APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and more resources/templates recommended by the Governors State Writing Center.
ONLINE! Short Contents
Examples for citing MLA, APA, Chicago Style, and CBE Style. Also includes examples for Online Resources.
Style Manuals & Writing Guides
Links to more style manuals and guides.
Plagiarism
Is it Plagiarism?
You Quote it, You note it - from Vaughan Memorial Library, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada - interactive tutorial on plagiarism
Interactive Tutorials: Plagiarism Self-Test Page - University of Toronto
Interactive Tutorials: Why Document? - University of Toronto
SJSU Plagiarism- Plagiarism Tutorial - San Jose State Univeristy
Plagiarism & Academic Integrity at Rutgers University - Rutgers University Libraries
Grammar
Guide to Grammar and Writing
A comprehensive guide for grammar and basic writing.
Dictionaries
American Heritage Dictionary
Contains over 350,000 entries from the unabridged third edition.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
This is a standard modern dictionary of American English.
Web of On-line Dictionaries
A directory of over 600 online dictionaries, including foreign-language dictionaries.
Oxford English Dictionary
Please note: click on "Sign in" to gain access to this database.
Encyclopedia
Encyclopaedia Britannica
The complete Britannica, with authoritative and informative articles on a variety of subjects, as well as links to Internet sites.
Thesauri
ARTFL Project: Roget's Thesaurus Search Form
Search the headwords or full text of Roget's Thesaurus, 1911.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus
Type in a word or phrase to retrieve synonyms and antonyms
By Dean, University Library Diane Dates Casey
Comments to: d-casey@govst.edu
Copyright © 2001, Governors State University. All Rights Reserved.
updated 8/12/08
