Improve Your Writing for Free with these Online Tools

<h2 id="section---BecomeABetterWriterWithTheseOnlineResources">Become a Better Writer With These Online Resources</h2> <p>Even the professional writer can use a little help from time to time. So whether you're a student, an author or just an individual hoping to write better, you can get some great help with free courses on the Internet. Check out any of the following resources to improve and strengthen your writing skills. </p> <h3 id="section---ESCWritingCenter"><a href="http://www.esc.edu/online-writing-center/resources/">ESC Writing Center</a></h3> <p>SUNY Empire State College (ESC) is a university for non-traditional students. Many courses are taught one-on-one or online, and students formulate their own majors. Their online writing center is just one of the tools ESC offers their students. Check it out for improvement exercises in research, writing, grammar and critical reading. These have been developed by ESC professors so they are meant for college-level students. </p> <h3 id="section---ThePurdueOWL"><a href="http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/">The Purdue OWL</a></h3> <p>This Online Writing Lab (OWL, get it?) is designed to help students improve their writing skills. No matter your current skill level, you can look to OWL to sharpen your writing approach and fix any mistakes you commonly make. If you have questions you can seek out one of their one-on-one consultants or email the writing center. </p> <h3 id="section---TheGrammarGirl"><a href="http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/">The Grammar Girl</a></h3> <p>Only someone with a name like the grammar girl can provide writing help while making it funny. Many blogs like to point out horrible grammatical errors in everyday life (as well as professionally published works), but just being funny doesn't help you. The grammar girl updates her blog to include grammar and punctuation rules, word choice guidelines and even business tips. She puts her advice in terms you understand with a good dose of humor to boot. </p> <h3 id="section---TheElementsOfStyle"><a href="http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html">The Elements of Style</a></h3> <p>The words Strunk and White strike awe into writers. Mention their names and likely any professional writer will know of <i>The Elements of Style</i>. Now wholly available online, there's no better way to improve your writing than reading this book. Grammar is explained with examples, words that are misused are explained and commonly misspelled words are listed. Having this online is great, but consider getting a version in print - it will be one of the most dog-eared books you own. </p> <h3 id="section---OxfordDictionaries"><a href="http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writing">Oxford Dictionaries</a></h3> <p>Writers at any level should check out the Oxford Dictionaries website for grammar and writing lessons to improve your spelling, English, punctuation and everyday writing. They even have lessons on contractions and abbreviating. This site is easy to navigate and can be studied in stages. </p> <h3 id="section---GuideToGrammarAndStyle"><a href="http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/a.html">Guide to Grammar and Style</a></h3> <p>The only thing better than grammar exercises to improve your writing is a listing of common mistakes categorized alphabetically. The Guide to Grammar and Style by Rutgers University does exactly that. Not sure if you should use 'an' before every word that begins with a vowel? That rule is in here. Want to know the difference between an active and a passive voice? Find out here! Keep this site on your bookmarks for easy reference. </p> <p><i>If you should decide to attend a college writing course, find out how an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/10_Reasons_Why_Online_College_Courses_Save_You_Money.html">online course</a> can save you money.</i></p>