Writing Resources for Graduate Students

When you need advice about writing, your first and best resource is the GWCC. Come talk to us: make an appointment with one of our trained graduate peer consultants. We'll be adding to these resources over time.

On this page you'll find answers to some common graduate writing questions in a variety of curated resources below. The WCC also has a wide range of handouts on writing and oral communication topics.

Journal Articles and Publishing

• Writing a Scientific Article (.pdf)
• Publishing in the Humanities (.pdf)
• Publishing in the Social Sciences (.pdf)

Grammar & Style Help

• We recommend the Purdue Online Writing Lab
• Norton Field Guide to Writing
• Using Verb Tense in Scientific Writing (.pdf)
• Using Verb Tense in Academic Writing (.pdf)
• Academic Phrasebank (tips for using common phrases)

Resources for English Language Learners

• Academic Communication and Culture
• Common Errors in English Usage
• English Grammar and Mechanics (Purdue OWL)

Citation Quick Reference Guides

• American Chemical Assoc. Quick Style Guide (.pdf)
• APA Quick Tips Guide (.pdf)
• Chicago-Turabian Quick Tips (.pdf)
• Chicago Manual of Style Quick Guide (.pdf)
• Council of Science Editors Quick Guide (.pdf)
• IEEE Quick Style Guide (.pdf)
• MLA Quick Style Guide (.pdf)

Research and Seminar Papers

• Writing a Humanities Research Paper (.pdf)
• Writing a Research Paper in the Natural Sciences (.pdf)

Grant and Fellowship Applications

• Writing a Fellowship Proposal, Humanities (.pdf)
• Writing a Personal Statement for a Fellowship (.pdf)

Writing the Prospectus, Thesis, or Dissertation

• Prospectus Guidelines (.pdf)
• Humanities Dissertation Prospectus (.pdf)
• Dissertation Writing Process (.pdf)

Job Application Materials

• Preparing an Academic C.V. (.pdf)
• Academic Cover Letter Tips (.pdf)
• Preparing a Resume (.pdf)
• Non-academic Cover Letters (.pdf)
• Converting a CV to Resume (.pdf)
• Differences between CVs and Resumes (.pdf)
• Non-academic Cover Letter Checklist (.pdf)