Straight-talking guides for student writers.
No fluff, no 2,000-word intros before the point. Practical writing on research, citation, and getting the essay done — written by people who teach it.
Browse by what you need
How to tell a good source from a confident one
A field guide to credibility: what “peer-reviewed” actually means, and the three questions to ask any web result.
ReadMLA vs. APA, explained without the headache
When to use which, and the five fields you need for almost any citation. Skim it the night before; you'll be fine.
ReadBeat the night-before panic with a 3-day plan
A realistic schedule for a research paper that doesn't assume you have your life together. Sources first, then the draft.
ReadThe personal essay is an argument too
How to use claim-and-evidence thinking on a story about yourself — without sounding like a robot.
ReadReading a dense academic paper in 20 minutes
Abstract, figures, conclusion, then decide. How to mine a paper for the one quote you actually need.
ReadThesis statements that aren't boring
The difference between a topic and a thesis, and a simple test for whether yours is arguable.
ReadStop reading about it. Try it.
These guides pair well with a workspace that keeps your sources, quotes, and draft in one place. Start a project and put one into practice.