Resources and Documents

Reflections Files

• Review Your Own Writing
• Checklist for Revising—Five Levels

You may also wish to do further self-study by reviewing the following resources on our website:

Structure and Paragraphs

• Main Message Up Front Access this self-paced module via the OLC to practice with main messages and topic sentences. Use it on multiple devices—computer, iPad, or mobile phone.
• Introductions that Captivate Use this online tool for a simple model that illustrates elements of effective introductions.
• Report Writing Self-Study Modules Select by topic area to review course principles:
• - Module 2 for planning principles, including how to apply the Dialogue with the Reader
• - Module 4 for guiding the reader, including headings and introductions
• - Module 5 for drafting paragraphs, including topic sentences and paragraph coherence
• Job Aids Review quick tips on topics such as organizing and paragraph development
• Dialogue with the Reader Select from Course Resources to access the template for this planning tool

Style and Mechanics

• Report Writing Self-Study Modules Module 6 for principles of style and mechanics, such as punctuation and capitalization.
• - How to Write Clearly Use this booklet from the European Commission to review principles of sentence style.
• - OWL from Purdue University Refer to this external site for many topics, such as conciseness and sentence clarity.
• Job Aids Review quick tips on topics such as organizing and paragraph development.

Other Resources

In the OLC, search by name for this online module to review writing principles: Clear Writing: 5 Tips.

The Communication and Business Skills Program has many resources to support your writing and other professional skills. See our website.

• The Gregg Reference Manual. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. 10th edition, 2004.
  Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, 11th edition, 2004. (also available online)
• European Commission: How to Write Clearly (available in other languages as well)
• World Bank Group Editorial Style Guide (available on the intranet)
• “Job Aids” on the website of the Writing and Speaking Skills Program (available on the intranet)
• Self-study modules: Click on English as a Second Language (ESL) Resources to jump down to the modules. The modules cover the following topics: Sentence Structure (parts 1 and 2), Adjective Clauses, Articles, Simple Past and Present Perfect Tenses, and Subject-Verb Agreement. (available on the intranet)
• Background Readings: Report Writing
• Module 6 Printable (PDF format)