Citations
Why do we use citations in academic writing?
To give credit to sources and avoid plagiarism.
What is the main purpose of a thesis statement?
To state the main point or argument of your essay.
What are the three main parts of an essay?
Introduction, body, and conclusion
Which sentence is correct?
A. They're going to the library.
B. Their going to the library.
A
How can students make an appointment with the Writing Studio?
Through WarriorFish (when it is up) or by visiting in person
True or False: In APA style, the date always comes right after the author’s name in a reference entry.
True
What’s one strategy you can use to develop a strong thesis from a general topic?
Break the topic into a specific question, consider your position, and decide what claim you want to argue.
Example: Topic: “Social media” → Question: “How does social media affect communication?” →
Thesis: “Social media changes the way young adults form and maintain relationships by encouraging brief and visual communication.”
What is a topic sentence?
A sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph.
Identify the subject in this sentence.
"The students in the writing class are revising their essays."
The students
What are the Writing Studio’s regular hours during the semester?
M-TR: 2pm-8pm
Tuesday and Wednesday online: 8:30pm-10:00pm
Friday: 2pm-5pm
Sunday: 4pm-8pm
True or False: You must cite a source even if you put the idea into your own words.
True
How can a thesis help you plan and organize your paper?
Your thesis acts as a roadmap, guiding the main points of each paragraph and ensuring your evidence supports your argument.
What is a transition sentence, and why is it important in an essay?
A transition sentence connects one paragraph or idea to the next. It helps the essay flow logically and guides the reader through your argument.
Choose the sentence with correct verb agreement
A. Each of the books are new.
B. Each of the books is new.
B
True or False: Tutors can only help with English papers.
False. Tutors can help with writing for any subject, including lab reports, speeches, resumes, and more.
Which part of this citation is incorrect in MLA style?
Smith, John. The Art of Writing. new york times press, 2022.
The publisher name should be capitalized:
Smith, John. The Art of Writing. New York Times Press, 2022.
What’s missing from this thesis?
“Eating healthy is good for students.”
It’s too general and vague. A strong thesis explains why or how:
Example: “Eating healthy helps students improve concentration, maintain energy levels, and manage stress.”
What should a conclusion do?
Summarize key points and restate the thesis in a new way.
Choose the sentence with correct punctuation
A. After class, we went to the library and studied for the exam.
B. After class, we went to the library, and studied for the exam.
A
What should you bring to a Writing Studio appointment to make the most of your session?
A copy of your assignment instructions, your draft (if you have one), and any questions or concerns.
You’re writing a research paper in APA style and want to cite a source with no author. Which comes first in the in-text citation?
Use the title (or first few words of it) in quotation marks or italics, followed by the year.
Example: (“Writing Tips,” 2023)
Revise this weak thesis into a stronger one:
"College is hard."
Example: “College students face challenges with time management, finances, and mental health.”
How can you make sure your essay flows smoothly from one paragraph to the next?
Use transitions and connect ideas logically.
Identify the error and fix it:
The professor explained the assignment clearly, the students still had questions.
It is a comma splice.
Fix it by adding a conjunction or splitting into two sentences:
The professor explained the assignment clearly, but the students still had questions.
How can visiting the Writing Studio help you beyond just fixing grammar or citations?
Tutors can help you develop ideas, organize your essay, improve clarity and style, build confidence in writing, or plan assignments, not just correct surface-level mistakes.