This list of resources is for students who are striving to improve their writing abilities and for the instructors working with them.
Writing Process Websites
These sites provide help with the writing process from start to finish - development of an outline, grammar, citing sources, writing for special purposes, and much more.
- The Owl at Purdue (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl)
The Owl is an online writing lab created by staff at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. - Guide to Grammar & Writing (http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/)
This writing resource is sponsored by Capital Community College in Hartford, Connecticut. It was created by the late Dr. Charles Darling, an English professor at the College.
Dictionaries
Dictionaries with Extra Features
In addition to providing word meanings, these dictionaries explain and show how words are used in sentences.
- Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
REF PE 1625 C635 2003 - Descriptionary
REF PE 1591 M415 2005
This thematic dictionary groups words by categories (e.g., words related to archery, farming, hair, photography, etc.) It concludes with a special section of "words and terms every literate person should know.") - Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
REF PE 1628 L66 2003 (another copy in Reserves area)
This dictionary provides example sentences to show how a word is used. - Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English
REF PE 1628 I3 2010 (also in Reserves area; earlier edition in Circulation)
Definitions and example sentences have been created with learners of English in mind.
- Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English
REF P 325.5 C56 O943 2002
This dictionary focuses on how a word is used in combination with other words. (e.g., you see how the verb "gain" is combined with common adverbs, other verbs, and prepositions). - Oxford Dictionary of Idioms
- Visual English Dictionary
This dictionary uses illustrations to present the vocabulary associated with objects (e.g., writing instruments) and phenomena (e.g., acid rain).
Regular Dictionaries
The library has dictionaries for in-library use and ones you can sign out. Ask about them at one of the help desks.
Online Dictionaries
- Canadian Oxford Dictionary
- Concise Oxford English Dictionary
- Oxford Dictionary of English
- Merriam Webster Dictionary
Thesauri
Thesaurus with Extra Features
- American Heritage Thesaurus for Learners of English
PE 1591 L36 2002
In addition to providing a list of synonyms for a word, this thesaurus includes a definition of each synonym and example sentences to highlight the fine distinctions between similar words.
Regular Thesauri
The library has thesauri for in-library use and ones you can sign out. Ask about them at one of the help desks.Online Thesauri
Word Usage
This resource helps you with the usage distinctions between words that seem similar (e.g., “take” or “bring”).
Grammar Books in the Library
- Focus on Grammar: An Advanced Course for Reference and Practice (Maurer)
PE 1112 M389 2000 - Fundamentals of English Grammar: with answer key (Azar)
PE 1128 A965 2003 - The Least You Should Know About English: Form A (Glazier and Wilson; Wagner, Cdn. ed.)
PE 1408 G57 2002 - Practical Grammar: A Canadian Writer's Resource (Ruvinsky)
PE 1112 R887 2006 (in Reserves area)
- Practical English Usage (Swan)
PE 1106 S94 1995 - Understanding and Using English Grammar (Azar)
PE 1128 A97 2002
Online Grammar Resource
Example Essays
Each of these books contains examples of several different essay types: cause and effect, classification, compare and contrast, narrative, and persuasion.
- Canadian Content (Waldman and Norton, eds.)
PE 1417 C25 2003
- Essay Connection (Bloom, ed.)
PE 1417 E78 2001
- Evergreen: With Readings: A Guide to Writing (Fawcett and Sandberg)
PE 1413 F38 2000
- Harbrace Reader for Canadians (Buckley, ed.)
PE 1417 H372 2001
- Reader’s Choice (Flachmann, Flachmann, and MacLennan, compilers)
PE 1417 R43 2000
PE 1417 R418 2003
- Strategies for Successful Writing (Reinking, et al.)
PE 1408 S77 2000
Literary Analysis
- The Clear Path: A Guide to Writing English Essays (Rooke)
PE 1479 C7 R66 2004
- A Method for Writing Essays about Literature (Headrick)
LB 2369 H43 2010
- A Short Guide to Writing about Literature (Barnet)
PN 81 B35 2004
- Texts and Contexts: Writing about Literature with Critical Theory (Lynn)
PE 1479 C7 M49 1995
- Thinking and Writing about Literature (Meyer)
PE 1479 C7 M49 1995
- Writing about Literature (Roberts)
PE 1479 C7 R59 2006
- Writing Essays about Literature: A Guide and Style Sheet
PN 83 G72 2002
Academic Writing
- Bare Essentials Plus (Norton, Green, and Waldman)
PE 1128 N67 2007 (in Reserves area; earlier editions on 3rd floor)
- Checkmate: A Writing Reference for Canadians (Buckley)
PE 1408 B818 2008 (in Reserves area; earlier editions on 3rd floor)
- Fit to Print: The Canadian Student’s Guide to Essay Writing (Buckley)
LB 2369 B834 2009 (in Reserves area; earlier editions on 3rd floor)
- Making Sense: A Student's Guide to Research and Writing (Northey)
LB 2369 N67 2002
- Quick Access (Troyka)
PE 1408 T75 2004 (Reserves area and 3rd floor)
- St. Martin’s Handbook (Lunsford, Connors, and Segal)
PE 1112 L84 2003 (3rd floor)
- Spotlight on Paragraph and Essay Skills (May)
PE 1439 M39 2004 (in Reserves area)
Videos and DVDs
- Argument [video, 30 minutes]
PE 1404 E56 2000 no.19
- Comparison and Contrast [video, 30 minutes]
PE 1404 E56 2000 no.13
- Language Construction Company [15 videos, 20 minutes each]
PE 1112 L36 1991
This series covers adjectives and adverbs, paragraph organization and style, verb tenses, clauses, phrases, and more.
General Knowledge Resources
To find general information about people, places, events, and ideas, use the Library’s reference books and these online resources.
- Dictionary of the Social Sciences
- Dictionary of World History
- Dictionary of World Mythology
- Oxford Companion to Canadian History
- Oxford Guide to Countries of the World
- Timelines
Covers world events from the 20th century only.
- World Encyclopedia
- World Maps
For Instructors
Articles
Harklau, Linda. "Generation 1.5 Students and College Writing. ERIC Digest." ED482491 (2003). ERIC. Langara College Lib., Vancouver, BC. 25 April 2007.
Miele, Carol. " Bergen Community College Meets Generation 1.5." Community College Journal of Research & Practice 27.7 (2003): 603-12. Academic Search Premier. Langara College Lib., Vancouver, BC. 25 April 2007.
Peterman, Dana S. ["ERIC"] "Generation 1.5 Students in the Community College." Community College Journal of Research and Practice 26.7-8 (2002): 683-89. Academic Search Premier. Langara College Lib. Vancouver, BC. 25 April 2007.
Entire Journals
Through the Library’s subscription to ScienceDirect (College Edition), you have access to articles in the issues of these journals dated 2002 or later.
Journal of English for Academic Purposes
Langara College, Library Systems
February 15, 2011
E-mail comments to: libsys@langara.bc.ca