Research > Homework Center > Language arts

Language Arts

Grammar

The Elements of Style: http://www.bartleby.com/141/

One of the best-known textbooks of English grammar. Find basic rules such as how to form the possessive singular of nouns and where to place a comma in a series.
Grammar Safari: http://www.iei.uiuc.edu/student_grammarsafari.html

From the Intensive English Institute at the University of Illinois. Find examples of any particular English words you choose, used in authentic communication.
Appropriate Language: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/608/01/

An guide to choosing words and phrases that will clearly express your thoughts and ideas. The guide discusses formal and informal language, jargon, euphamisms, stereotyping and biased language, and appropriate use of pronouns.
Grammar: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/5/

Everything you need to know about adjectives and adverbs, pronouns, verb tenses, and lots more. From the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

Plagiarism & copyright

10 Big Myths of Copyright Explained: http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html

Answers to some frequently asked questions.
Avoiding Plagiarism / Overview and Contradictions: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/

What is plagiarism? When do you give credit? Find out safe practices when researching, paraphrasing, and writing papers.
A Statement on Plagiarism: http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/mla/plagiarism.shtml

Here are several examples of how to include other authors' ideas in your papers, and how to give proper credit.
United States Copyright Office: http://www.copyright.gov/

Information on US copyright law and how it is implemented, including a FAQ, and the text of the laws that govern copyright.

Style guides

Citation Style for Research Papers: http://www.liunet.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citation.htm

How to cite books, articles, and more using APA, Turabian, MLA, Chicago, and AMA style. From Long Island University.
Citation Style guides: http://researchguides.library.syr.edu/citation

Syracuse University Library website offers links to electronic style guides for APA, MLA, Chicago, CSE, and additional styles.
Elementary School OSLIS: http://elementary.oslis.org/

This guide from the Oregon School Library Information Center (OSLIS) helps elementary school students and find information. Includes a great Citation Maker.
Middle School and High School OSLIS: http://secondary.oslis.org/

A great guide to the research and writing process for high school and middle school students. From the Oregon School Library Information Center (OSLIS). Check out the Citation Maker.
World Wide Words: Citing Online Sources: http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/citation.htm

A suggested style for citing Internet pages for research papers.

Vocabulary

State-of-Being Verbs: http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/brisas/sunda/verb/1state.htm

Here is a little story to help you learn about the eight state-of-being verbs. Learn about action, helping and main verbs, then take the verb test.
Vocabulary University: http://www.vocabulary.com/

Vocabulary quizzes to test your knowledge.

Writing & alphabets

AncientScripts.com: http://www.ancientscripts.com/

Check out the section on writing systems, where you can search by origin, type, or region. There is even a timeline showing when different writing systems were developed.
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations: http://www.bartleby.com/100/

From the 1909 edition of Bartlett's quotes. Indexes include an alphabetical listing of authors and a chronological listing of authors.
Biography Maker: http://www.bham.wednet.edu/bio/biomaker.htm

Learn what you need to know to research a person and write a biography!
Cliché Finder: http://www.westegg.com/cliche/

Over 3,300 clichés indexed!
Glossary of Poetic Devices: http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/brisas/sunda/poets/poetry2.htm

Definitions of poetry terms.
Omniglot: A Guide to Writing Systems: http://www.omniglot.com/

Learn the difference between alphabetic, syllabic, logographic and alternative writing sytems. Dozens of different writing systems, from Abkhaz to Yiddish, are covered here.
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant: http://www.powa.org/

For older students, this website helps you organize and revise your writing and helps you through the steps of writing thesis, informal, exploratory and argumentative essays! From Boise State University, English Department.
Parasaurus Rex: http://www.lingo24.com/paraphrase-tool.html

"Find alternative expressions for words and phrases in English, Arabic, German and Chinese."
The Quotations Page: http://www.quotationspage.com/

Search for a quote or read the quote of the day!
Research & Writing: http://www.ipl.org/div/aplus/

The Internet Public Library takes you through six clearly explained steps for writing a research paper. The Info Search section guides you through learning library research, Web research, and much more!
Term Paper Research: Getting Started: http://www.library.ubc.ca/home/about/instruct/tp-res.html

A great place to begin! The University of British Columbia library offers practical steps for starting your research paper.