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APA Style

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APA Document Formatting (6th ed.)
Learn how to format a document in APA 6th edition.
APA Document Formatting (7th ed.)
Learn how to format a document in APA 7th edition.
APA In-Text Citations
Cite sources within an APA paper.
APA Reference Page Formatting
Format full APA citation entries on a References list.
Sample APA Reference Page
Review a References list in APA style.
Sample APA Reference Page- Annotated
Review several examples of source citations in APA style.
Sample APA Style Paper - Persuasive
Review a sample APA essay.

Chicago Manual of Style

(also known as Chicago Style or CMoS)

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Chicago Style Document Formatting
Create a document in Chicago Style.
Chicago Style In-Text Citation
Learn how to cite sources within a Chicago style paper.

Communication & Netiquette

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Before Emailing Your Instructor
Tips for navigating your course and understanding what is expected of you.
Email & Online Discussion Netiquette
Follow accepted guidelines for communication in online discussions and email.
Peer Review Feedback
Provide clear and helpful feedback.
Understanding Instructor Feedback
Comprehend and implement instructor feedback.

Comprehension

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Before Emailing Your Instructor
Tips for navigating your course and understanding what is expected of you.
Brainstorming
Explore ideas for an assignment.
Doing Research
Use sources to strengthen and advance your ideas.
Outlining
Prioritize and organize your ideas.
Peer Review Feedback
Provide clear and helpful feedback.
Reading the Prompt & Understanding the Assignment
Be sure you understand the writing assignment.
Thesis Statements
Express the central idea of your essay.
Topic Sentences
Indicate the point or main idea of each body paragraph.
Types of Writing
Understand what’s expected of you depending on the rhetorical situation.
Understanding Instructor Feedback
Comprehend and implement instructor feedback.

Drafting

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5-Paragraph Essay Structure
Learn how to organize an essay.
Common Errors in Research Papers
Learn to avoid these common mistakes when writing a research paper.
Organization
Present information clearly and logically.
Paragraph Structure
Write well-structured paragraphs.
Signal Phrases
Introduce source material with signal phrases.
Supporting Sentences
Develop body paragraphs with supporting sentences.
Synthesizing Sources
Integrate sources into your writing.
Thesis Statements
Express the central idea of your essay.
Topic Sentences
Indicate the point or main idea of each body paragraph.
Transitions
Use transitions to improve the flow of your essay.
Types of Writing
Understand what’s expected of you depending on the rhetorical situation.
Writing Effective Conclusions
Learn how to properly end an essay.
Writing Effective Introductions
Learn how to properly begin an essay.

Editing & Revising

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Assess Your Own Writing
Learn how to review and revise your own writing.
Comma Splices
Fix comma errors.
Common Errors in Research Papers
Learn to avoid these common mistakes when writing a research paper.
Concision
Convey ideas clearly and directly.
First, Second, & Third Person
Use an appropriate point of view.
Informal English
Use language that is appropriate for the situation.
Introductory Words & Phrases
Use introductory words and phrases to clarify your writing.
Organization
Present information clearly and logically.
Parallel Structure
Write parallel sentences.
Passive Voice
Avoid using the passive voice.
Past Perfect
Use the Past Perfect tense to talk about multiple things that have already happened.
Precision
Present information clearly and accurately.
Reverse Outlining
Create a Reverse Outline to improve an essay’s organization.
Run-on Sentences
Correct sentence-structure errors.
Semicolons
Connect related ideas.
Sentence Fragments
Avoid incomplete sentences.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Maintain agreement with subjects and verbs.
Syntax Errors
Fix Syntax Errors.
Transitions
Use transitions to improve the flow of your essay.

Grammar & Mechanics

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Comma Splices
Fix comma errors.
First, Second, & Third Person
Use an appropriate point of view.
Informal English
Use language that is appropriate for the situation.
Introductory Words & Phrases
Use introductory words and phrases to clarify your writing.
Parts of Speech
Identify the parts of speech and understand their functions.
Passive Voice
Avoid using the passive voice.
Past Perfect
Use the Past Perfect tense to talk about multiple things that have already happened.
Run-on Sentences
Correct sentence-structure errors.
Semicolons
Connect related ideas.
Sentence Fragments
Avoid incomplete sentences.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Maintain agreement with subjects and verbs.
Syntax Errors
Fix Syntax Errors.

MLA Style

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MLA Document Formatting
Create a document in MLA style.
MLA In-text Citations
Cite sources within an MLA paper.
MLA Works Cited Page Formatting
Format full MLA citation entries on a Works Cited page.
Sample MLA Style Paper
Review a persuasive MLA essay.
Sample MLA Works Cited Page
Review a Works Cited page in MLA format.
Sample MLA Works Cited Page - Annotated
Review a Works Cited with examples of several types of citations.

Prewriting

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Brainstorming
Explore ideas for an assignment.
Outlining
Prioritize and organize your ideas.
Reading the Prompt & Understanding the Assignment
Be sure you understand the writing assignment.

Technology

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Accessing Online Library Databases
Find sources through the RVC library's databases.
Email & Online Discussion Netiquette
Follow accepted guidelines for communication in online discussions and email.
How to Convert a Document to PDF
Learn how to convert documents.
How to Convert a Google Doc to Word
Learn how to convert documents.

Using Sources

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Accessing Online Library Databases
Find sources through the RVC library's databases.
Annotated Bibliography
Summarize and evaluate your sources.
Choosing Sources
Identify and select credible sources.
Doing Research
Use sources to strengthen and advance your ideas.
Quotations
Learn how to incorporate sources into your writing.
Signal Phrases
Introduce source material with signal phrases.
Synthesizing Sources
Integrate sources into your writing.

Writing Samples

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Sample APA Reference Page
Review a References list in APA style.
Sample APA Reference Page- Annotated
Review several examples of source citations in APA style.
Sample APA Style Paper - Persuasive
Review a sample APA essay.
Sample MLA Style Paper
Review a persuasive MLA essay.
Sample MLA Works Cited Page
Review a Works Cited page in MLA format.
Sample MLA Works Cited Page - Annotated
Review a Works Cited with examples of several types of citations.

More Writing Center Resources

The RVC Writing Center offers many resources to help you with these topics and all of your writing concerns. Titles of available resources can be found in the navigation bars along the left side of this page and/or by using the search bar. The Writing Center’s Resource Library can be accessed by using the following link:

The RVC Writing Center

If you still need assistance, please call (815) 921-2370 to make an appointment with an RVC writing coach.

We are here to help!