The more people who read and respond to your work the better.  Writing is a craft that is learned through practice, and you should feel free to ask questions at any stage in the process about any aspect of it.  I'm happy to meet with you in my office to discuss or work on your writing, but I prefer it if you schedule an appointment with me so we can be sure of having enough time.  I'm also happy to answer questions over the phone or e-mail--indeed, in some situations e-mail may be more convenient and expeditious.

There are also tutors in the Campus Writing Center (3035 CASL Building; 593-5543).  The tutors can assist you with any stage of the writing process and with grammar problems, but they will not proofread papers for you.  Anyone can benefit from their advice.  It's best to call to set up an appointment, and be sure to bring a copy of the assignment you're working on.

The campus computer network has several word processors, including Microsoft Word and WordPerfect.  (You'll need to bring your own disk if you want to save work.)  The main computer lab is in 1140 CW; another large general-purpose lab is located on the first floor of the library (1070 ML).  Both labs have counselors on duty who can assist you with computer-related problems.  Computers are available in the Writing Center as well.  All three locations have laser printers.

You should own and use a current writing handbook (the Writing Program currently uses the third edition of The Longmans Writer's Companion), a good dictionary, and (if you are or are planning to be an English concentrator) the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.

Web Sites

Not surprisingly, many writing resources are available online.  Here are a few you may find useful:

UMD Campus Writing Center:  Tips for writers, answers to frequently-asked writing questions, information about Writing Center hours.

Mardigian Library Reference Works Databases:  This list contains links to the essential Oxford English Dictionary, which tells you what words meant in Shakespeare's, or Pope's, or Wordsworth's, or Dickens's day; Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (via the Encyclopaedia Britannica link), which provides modern meanings of words; Roget's Thesaurus; and much, much more.

Paradigm On-Line Writing Assistant:   A faculty member at Boise State University in Idaho has developed this extensive site.  It contains information and advice for writing various kinds of essays, and for all stages of the writing process.

A+ Research and Writing for High School and College Students: This Internet Public Library site also contains advice and information about the writing process, including a step-by-step guide on conducting research.  Lots of links to other writing-related web sites, including online writing labs (OWLs).

Modern Language Association: The MLA's website contains a section on MLA style that includes answers to some frequently-asked questions about MLA style.  (It does not, alas, contain online versions of the Handbook or Style Manual.)

Bedford/St. Martin's Online Citation Styles: An excellent site with good examples for citing online sources in MLA style. Links on this page will take you to similar ones for other citation styles (APA, Chicago, etc.) for online sources.

A Guide for Writing Research Papers Based on MLA Style: A site developed by Capital Community College (Connecticut)'s Humanities Department and Library, it includes sections on in-text citations and works cited lists in MLA style.