Libraries: Tutoring: ENGL 1301 / 1302

ENGL 1301 and 1302 FAQ

If you are enrolled in co-remediation, we advise you to also review the resources in either the "ESOL" or "INRW" tab (according to your course).

English Composition is one of our largest subjects, and the one for which we usually receive the most essays. Part of redesigning this tab will be to group information based on need, such as outlines and types of essays. As such, we might separate ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 into separate tabs to meet the unique needs of those courses. For now, use this tab for both courses.

For information about avoiding plagiarism and how to paraphrase and summarize, go to the Avoiding Plagiarism and How to Cite subject tab.

The Writing Process has additional resources to help you create and revise your writing.

Do you need more information about grammar (including modifying sentence structure) or punctuation? Visit our Grammar and Punctuation tab!

The websites we post are to help you, the student. If you encounter a link that is no longer active (for example, some sites change their addresses), please, contact the Upwsing LibGuide's administrator directly so she can replace it: ioanna.panos@hccs.edu. To better serve you, be as precise as possible about the name of the link and where you found it. **To outside entities, no soliciting links or services from your business or organization. The purpose of our resource center is to help our students with their coursework. We do not help companies or organizations advertise their services.**

Rhetorical Analysis

Sample Rhetorical Analysis (Excelsior College OWL)
"Seeing rhetorical analysis in action is one of the best ways to understand it. Read the following sample rhetorical analysis of an article. If you like, you can read the original article the student analyzes: Why I won’t buy an iPad (and think you shouldn’t, either). [Access the website for the link.]
Then, click the image below to open a PDF of the sample paper. The strategies and techniques the author used in this rhetorical analysis essay have been noted for you."
"Ethos, Pathos, and Logos Definition and Examples [With Illustrations]"
"Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are modes of persuasion used to convince audiences. They are also referred to as the three artistic proofs (Aristotle coined the terms), and are all represented by Greek words. "
Rhetorical Analysis - University Writing Center (Texas A&M)
"Rhetoric is the study of how writers and speakers use words to influence an audience. A rhetorical analysis is an essay that breaks a work of non-fiction into parts and then explains how the parts work together to create a certain effect—whether to persuade, entertain or inform. You can also conduct a rhetorical analysis of a primarily visual argument such as a cartoon or advertisement, or an oral performance such as a speech. In this handout we will use the word rhetorician to refer to the author of a speech or document or to the creator of an advertisement, cartoon, or other visual work." Follow the links at the bottom of the page for elements of a rhetorical analysis.
What is a Rhetorical Device? (Literary Terms)
"A rhetorical device is any language that helps an author or speaker achieve a particular purpose (usually persuasion, since rhetoric is typically defined as the art of persuasion). But 'rhetorical device' is an extremely broad term, and can include techniques for generating emotion, beauty, and spiritual significance as well as persuasion."
What is a Rhetorical Question? (Literary Terms)
Definition and examples of "rhetorical question."
Writing a Summary or Rhetorical Précis to Analyze Nonfiction Texts (The Writing Center at University of Wisconsin - Madison)
The site includes a PDF handout of this page. It includes explanations, techniques for taking notes, and samples. "This page is about how you can read and analyze nonfiction texts. When you’ve read a text well, you can then discuss it in class, think critically about it, incorporate it into your writing, consider it in light of other texts, and advance or push against its ideas."

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
Aristotle’s "ingredients for persuasion" – also known as "appeals" – are known by the names of ethos, pathos, and logos. They are each means of persuading others to take a particular point of view.
Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline
Questions to ask as you read articles and create your outline and essay.

Handouts - Academic Tone

College Writing
If you use informal, casual language with your professor, and eventually your boss, you could be perceived as uneducated or rude. Certain standards are expected in academic writing. However, do not be intimidated. Here is a breakdown of what is expected in formal academic writing
Fact versus Opinion
This handout is reprinted from https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/teaching/co300man/pop12d.cfm)
"When forming personal convictions, we often interpret factual evidence through the filter of our values, feelings, tastes, and past experiences. Hence, most statements we make in speaking and writing are assertions of fact, opinion, belief, or prejudice. The usefulness and acceptability of an assertion can be improved or diminished by the nature of the assertion, depending on which of the following categories it falls into."
How to Write in Third Person
The third person includes character names and pronouns like "he" and "she." This tense is considered more academic and more formal than writing in the first or second person. It also seems less biased when arguments are presented. Follow these tips to write in the third person.
Objective versus Subjective
This handout is reprinted from http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-objective-and-subjective/ This explains and gives examples of objective and subjective writing.
Organizing and Writing a Research Paper Compared to Planning and Hosting a Party
"Both activities require time and effort and involve making decisions, and both can be accomplished at home; however, more variables are involved in planning and hosting a party than in writing a research paper."
Understanding a Topic
What you write about is your topic. Why you write about a topic is your purpose. Sometimes, the words topic and writing assignment mean the same thing. Whatever you write, the topic and purpose “drive” your composition.
Writing an Annotated Bibliography
Discover what an annotated bibliography is and why it is important to write one. Then learn the step-by-step process for writing an annotated bibliography.
Writing in Academic English
This handout explains and gives examples of informal language. In general, informal language is everyday, conversational standard language, the type of language used when speaking to or writing to intimates, peers, and friends — that is, people with whom you are familiar and comfortable. Informal language is inappropriate for academic papers (including most narrative essays), business correspondence (including job applications), official documents, and technical documents.
Writing in the Third Person
"Perhaps your assignment is to write in third person only or the following note has appeared in your essay:...However, you may have no idea not only what first person, second person, or third person means and, therefore, how to change what you have written, how to write in third person." This handout explains the differences and how you can change your writing for third person.

Handouts - Construction

Examining Generalizations
Suggestions for avoiding generalizations in writing, so that you are more precise and avoid making logical fallacies.
How to Write an Effective Paragraph
To be as effective as possible, a paragraph should contain each of the following: unity, coherence, a topic sentence, and adequate development. All of those traits overlap. Using and adapting them to your individual purposes will help you construct effective paragraphs.
Paragraph (by Kenneth Beare, 2017)
"In general, the purpose of a paragraph is to express one main point, idea or opinion. Of course, writers may provide multiple examples to support their point. However, any supporting details should support the main idea of a paragraph."
Parallel Structure (also called Parallelism)
Defines parallel structure and gives examples. Use parallelism to create sentences that are balanced and clear.
The Proper Format for Essays -- MLA Style
This document will help you format essays in MLA style, such as heading, font, and indentation. It does *not* include how to cite sources. Refer to the Avoiding Plagiarism or Style Guides and Templates tabs for how to cite within your essay and how to list your sources.
Regarding Quotes
Unless you have been directed to use a particular number of quotes in your essay, use direct quotes sparingly. Instead, focus on paraphrasing and summarizing information so that it is clear you understand what you have read...The purpose of a quote is to provide credible textual evidence of a claim, that is, an argument, you are making in your paper.
Showing versus Telling
Strong creative writing works to show rather than tell. This handout explains what that means and how to do it in your own writing.
Thesis Statement
The thesis statement, which is usually found at the end of the first paragraph, tells the writer (and the reader) the main idea of the essay.
What Is a Paragraph? (OWL Purdue)
The basic rule of thumb with paragraphing is to keep one idea to one paragraph. If you begin to transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph.

Handouts - Word Choice & Style

"Very" - Other ways to say it.
This handout is designed to help you come up with alternative ways to express your ideas without having to use the word “very”. By using precise diction, your readers will be able to better understand your ideas.
20 Strong Verbs
Avoid the use of the verb to be and to get when not needed. Instead, condense and strengthen your sentences by editing unnecessary words or phrases and using strong verbs.
Grammar Pamphlet
A quick reference guide for grammar.
Grammar Resource – examples and definitions for some key areas of English grammar
This PDF contains definitions, examples, and useful cue words for: Simple Tenses, Progressive Tenses, Perfect Tenses, Perfect Progressive Tenses, Countable and Uncountable Nouns, Comparatives & Superlatives. If Clauses & Conditionals, Passive Voice, Causative, Reported Speech, Modals of Probability and Obligation, and Subjunctive. Adapted from Understanding and Using Grammar, Fifth Edition Betty Schramper Azar. Copyright 2017, 2009, 1989, 1981. Pearson Education, 221 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030
Run-on Sentences
Run-ons, comma splices, and fused sentences are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly. The best way to avoid such errors is to punctuate compound sentences correctly by using one or the other of these rules.
Transitional Words Used in a Compare Contrast Essay
Transition words to help you signal comparisons and contrasts.
Transitional Words Used in a Process Essay
Lists of words for time / chronology / sequence. Many transition words in the time category have other uses.
Using Conjunctions to Make Your Writings Stronger
A table illustrating conjunctions and their connotations.
Verb Tense Consistency (OWL Purdue)
Explanations and examples of verb tenses and how to maintain consistency.

Websites and Videos - Academic Tone

"Ethos, Pathos, and Logos Definition and Examples [With Illustrations]"
"Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are modes of persuasion used to convince audiences. They are also referred to as the three artistic proofs (Aristotle coined the terms), and are all represented by Greek words. "
"Why tech needs the humanities" (TED Talk)
"If you want to build a team of innovative problem-solvers, you should value the humanities just as much as the sciences, says entrepreneur Eric Berridge. He shares why tech companies should look beyond STEM graduates for new hires -- and how people with backgrounds in the arts and humanities can bring creativity and insight to technical workplaces." (From our Yammer page.)
Logical Fallacies (Excelsior Online Writing Lab)
"Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that are based on poor or faulty logic. When presented in a formal argument, they can cause you to lose your credibility as a writer, so you have to be careful of them...The following pages [slides] will explain the major types of fallacies, give you examples, and help you avoid them in your arguments."

Websites and Videos - Construction

Abstracts -- UNC Writing Center
"This handout [website] provides definitions and examples of the two main types of abstracts: descriptive and informative. It also provides guidelines for constructing an abstract and general tips for you to keep in mind when drafting. Finally, it includes a few examples of abstracts broken down into their component parts."
Annotated Bibliographies -- UNC Writing Center
"This handout [website] will explain why annotated bibliographies are useful for researchers, provide an explanation of what constitutes an annotation, describe various types of annotations and styles for writing them, and offer multiple examples of annotated bibliographies in the MLA, APA, and CBE/CSE styles of citation."
Conclusions -- UNC Writing Center
Remember to review your professor's instructions to determine what kind of conclusion you need for your assignment. "This handout [website] will explain the functions of conclusions, offer strategies for writing effective ones, help you evaluate conclusions you’ve drafted, and suggest approaches to avoid."
Introductions -- UNC Writing Center
"This handout [website] will explain the functions of introductions, offer strategies for creating effective introductions, and provide some examples of less effective introductions to avoid."
Paragraphs (The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill)
"This handout will help you understand how paragraphs are formed, how to develop stronger paragraphs, and how to completely and clearly express your ideas."
What is a Thesis? (Literary Terms)
"The thesis (pronounced thee-seez), also known as a thesis statement, is the sentence that introduces the main argument or point of view of a composition (formal essay, nonfiction piece, or narrative). It is the main claim that the author is making about that topic and serves to summarize and introduce that writing that will be discussed throughout the entire piece. For this reason, the thesis is typically found within the first introduction paragraph."

Websites and Videos -- Word Choice & Style

Style -- UNC Writing Center
"Have you ever wondered what your instructors mean when they write “wordy” or “awk” in the margins of your paper? Do you sometimes sense that your sentences could be stronger, clearer, shorter, or more effective? Do you often feel that you know what you mean but do not know how to say it? If you sometimes get feedback from your instructors that you need to “tighten your prose” or “look at your word choice,” you may need to work on your writing style—the way you put together a sentence or group of sentences."
Titles of Works -- Punctuation Guide
How do you format the titles of books versus articles? How do you format titles of artworks? You can find out this and much more in this website!
Writing Paraphrases (The Writing Center, UNC)
"Paraphrasing is clearly restating in your own words the ideas or thoughts of another person. A paraphrase differs from a summary, which tends to be much shorter and contains only the main ideas of a text." **There is a clear difference between paraphrasing and summarizing. Failure to correctly paraphrase could result in plagiarism.**

Websites and Videos - Other Considerations

Comparing and Contrasting -- UNC Writing Center (YouTube)
This is a YouTube video. "Learn strategies for comparing and contrasting ideas - strategies that can also help you generate ideas for other types of writing."
Elements of Poetry (Concept Check) (YouTube)
"Where we learn what are the basic elements of poetry - sound devices, figurative language, rhythm and form."
Evaluating Internet Sources - CSM Library (College of San Mateo Library)
A tutorial about how to evaluate sources.
Evidence -- UNC Writing Center
"This handout [website] will provide a broad overview of gathering and using evidence. It will help you decide what counts as evidence, put evidence to work in your writing, and determine whether you have enough evidence. It will also offer links to additional resources."
Literary Devices Definition and Examples of Literary Terms
"Literary Devices refers to the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey his or her messages in a simple manner to the readers. When employed properly, the different literary devices help readers to appreciate, interpret and analyze a literary work. Below is a list of literary devices with detailed definition and examples."
Speeches -- UNC Writing Center
"This handout [website] will help you create an effective speech by establishing the purpose of your speech and making it easily understandable. It will also help you to analyze your audience and keep the audience interested."
Summary: Using it Wisely -- UNC Writing Center
"Knowing how to summarize something you have read, seen, or heard is a valuable skill, one you have probably used in many writing assignments. It is important, though, to recognize when you must go beyond describing, explaining, and restating texts and offer a more complex analysis. This handout [website] will help you distinguish between summary and analysis and avoid inappropriate summary in your academic writing."
What to Do After Reading (Excelsior Online Writing Lab)
"After reading, a successful reader will make time to engage and evaluate what they just read. This section [website] covers several strategies for what to do after reading, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, analyzing, and synthesizing. Click on one of the areas below [on the website] to learn more."

How to Read for College (from Affordable Colleges Online)

The links in this box come from the main page, "Reading Comprehension for College Students." These are only a few of the links from the main page, so make sure you scroll through all of "Reading Comprehension" to find more information.

Reading Comprehension for College Students
This is the main page containing the other links in this content box. The bottom of the page as a chart that lists 15 strategies for reading for college. "You know how to read, of course. But do you know how to read well enough to ace your college classes? They’re two different skills."
Dartmouth’s Reading Techniques
"The Ivy League school’s page links to videos and offers a useful advice for more thorough studying, varying reading rate and more." (Affordable Colleges Online)
Quizlet
"This online tool lets you create flash cards, quizzes and other study aids." (Affordable Colleges Online)
Interpreting texts critically
"This guide from Empire State College includes worksheets to guide students through critical analysis to help them becoming more discerning readers." (Affordable Colleges Online)
Textbook Reading Strategies
"In this guide, Baylor University’s Academic Support Programs coach students through reading and making sense of reading assignments." (Affordable Colleges Online)
Managing Distractions as an Online Student (Affordable Colleges Online)
"Online learning can be affordable and convenient...However, without the structure of a traditional classroom, online learning can also be challenging and incite distractions."

Types of Essays and Poetry - Handouts & Websites

Cause and Effect Essay Outline
"Cause and effect" is a process that describes how something happens; cause and effect analyzes why something happens. Cause-and-effect essays examine causes, describe effects, or do both.
Comparison and Contrast Essay Outline
Goal: To explore the similarities and differences between two texts [, concepts, or items]. This handout gives sample outlines and suggestions for each part.
Evaluation Essay Outline
Often, evaluations are organized by criteria. You decide which criteria are appropriate for the subject and audience, and then you use those criteria to outline the essay...Then you order the criteria according to some plan: chronological order, spatial order, order of importance, or another logical sequence.
How to Develop and Organize a Classification Essay
"Classification is a method of developing an essay by arranging people, objects, or ideas with shared characteristics into particular classes or groups. After you have settled on a topic for a classification essay* and explored it through various prewriting strategies, you should be ready to attempt a first draft. Here is how to develop and organize a five-paragraph classification essay."
Narrative Essay Outline
Information for an outline and the narrative genre. Through reflecting upon an event, and through recreating the experience for other readers, writing a narrative essay can enable you to develop new, subtle, and rewarding perspectives.
Organizing and Writing a Research Paper Compared to Planning and Hosting a Party
"Both activities require time and effort and involve making decisions, and both can be accomplished at home; however, more variables are involved in planning and hosting a party than in writing a research paper."
Problem Solution Persuasive Essay Outline
The first few pages give suggestions for an outline. The rest of the document gives advice for writing your essay.
Process Essay Outline
The process pattern of organization is especially important in scientific writing. For example, it is used to describe biological processes such as T cell lymphocyte production, chemical processes such as the interaction of drugs, and technical processes such as a colonscopy.

Character Analysis Essay Discussion
The goal of a character analysis is to establish how a major or minor character has certain proven traits that significantly affect the outcome, meaning and design of the work as a whole. Your job, then, is to construct a hypothesis based on a theoretical question (remember the difference between practical and theoretical questions) about a character and how this character functions to create meaning and significance in the work.
Common Words in Essay Directions
Understanding these words will help you write your essay accordingly. (An image from our Yammer page.)
Critical Analysis
Critical analysis is examining various aspects of a text/literary work closely. By doing so, it enables you to gain a thorough understanding of the text.
How to Write a Descriptive Essay
More than many other types of essays, descriptive essays strive to create a deeply involved and vivid experience for the reader. Great descriptive essays achieve this affect not through facts and statistics but by using detailed observations and descriptions.
Narrative Essay - What to Consider
As a mode of expository writing, the narrative approach, more than any other, offers writers a chance to think and write about themselves....When you write a narrative essay, you are telling a story.
Primary vs Secondary Sources
Understand the differences between primary and secondary sources and how to use them in your research.
Process Essay
The process pattern of organization is especially importantin scientific writing. For example, it is used to describe biological processessuch as T cell lymphocyte production, chemical processes such as the interactionof drugs, and technical processes such as a colonscopy.
Writing a Narrative Essay
Through reflecting upon an event, and through recreating the experience for other readers, writing a narrative essay can enable you to develop new, subtle, and rewarding perspectives.
Writing a Precis (by HCC Online Tutoring)
This handout will help you understand what a précis is, the parts of a précis, and a sample to help you understand how to construct one. "A précis is a specific summary of an article, book or speech that uses the same language and overall structure of the original source. It is also known as an abstract, summary, executive summary or synopsis."
Writing a Process Essay
Tips for the components of a process essay.

Book Review -- UNC Writing Center
"This handout [website] will help you write a book review, a report or essay that offers a critical perspective on a text. It offers a process and suggests some strategies for writing book reviews.
Drama -- UNC Writing Center
"This handout [website] identifies common questions about drama, describes the elements of drama that are most often discussed in theater classes, provides a few strategies for planning and writing an effective drama paper, and identifies various resources for research in theater history and dramatic criticism. We’ll give special attention to writing about productions and performances of plays."
Essay Exams -- UNC Writing Center
"At some time in your undergraduate career, you’re going to have to write an essay exam. This thought can inspire a fair amount of fear: we struggle enough with essays when they aren’t timed events based on unknown questions. The goal of this handout [website] is to give you some easy and effective strategies that will help you take control of the situation and do your best."
Group Writing -- UNC Writing Center
"Whether in the academic world or the business world, all of us are likely to participate in some form of group writing—an undergraduate group project for a class, a collaborative research paper or grant proposal, or a report produced by a business team. Writing in a group can have many benefits: multiple brains are better than one, both for generating ideas and for getting a job done. However, working in a group can sometimes be stressful because there are various opinions and writing styles to incorporate into one final product that pleases everyone. This handout [website] will offer an overview of the collaborative process, strategies for writing successfully together, and tips for avoiding common pitfalls. It will also include links to some other handouts that may be especially helpful as your group moves through the writing process.
Literature (Fiction) -- UNC Writing Center
"This handout [website] describes some steps for planning and writing papers about fiction texts. For information on writing about other kinds of literature, please see the Writing Center’s handouts on writing about drama and poetry explications."

Argumentative Writing Explained (PowerPoint)
Definition and basic organization of an argumentative essay.
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
Aristotle’s "ingredients for persuasion" – also known as "appeals" – are known by the names of ethos, pathos, and logos. They are each means of persuading others to take a particular point of view.
Outlining Your Paper Argument Essay
Argument essays are fairly straightforward in their organization. In your paper, you will need to do the following.
Primary vs Secondary Sources
Understand the differences between primary and secondary sources and how to use them in your research.
Regarding Quotes
Unless you have been directed to use a particular number of quotes in your essay, use direct quotes sparingly. Instead, focus on paraphrasing and summarizing information so that it is clear you understand what you have read...The purpose of a quote is to provide credible textual evidence of a claim, that is, an argument, you are making in your paper.
Toulmin's Argument Model
How to organize your argumentative essay using the Toulmin model.
Transitional Words that Should Be Used in an Argumentative Essay
Words for effect / consequence / result and cause / condition / purpose.
Writing an Annotated Bibliography
Discover what an annotated bibliography is and why it is important to write one. Then learn the step-by-step process for writing an annotated bibliography.

Ethos: Examples and Definitions (Philosophy Terms)
Definition and examples of ethos and how to use it in your own writing.
Logical Fallacies (Excelsior Online Writing Lab)
"Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that are based on poor or faulty logic. When presented in a formal argument, they can cause you to lose your credibility as a writer, so you have to be careful of them...The following pages [slides] will explain the major types of fallacies, give you examples, and help you avoid them in your arguments."
Logos: Examples and Definitions (Philosophy Terms)
Definition and examples of logos and how you can use it in your writing.
What is a Rhetoric? (Literary Terms)
"Rhetoric is the ancient art of persuasion. It’s a way of presenting and making your views convincing and attractive to your readers or audience...Although rhetoric is often connected with making speeches, it applies just as well to writing."
What is a Rhetorical Device? (Literary Terms)
"A rhetorical device is any language that helps an author or speaker achieve a particular purpose (usually persuasion, since rhetoric is typically defined as the art of persuasion). But 'rhetorical device' is an extremely broad term, and can include techniques for generating emotion, beauty, and spiritual significance as well as persuasion."
What is a Rhetorical Question? (Literary Terms)
Definition and examples of "rhetorical question."
When & How to Write an Argument (Literary Terms)
"An argument is the backbone of an academic essay. Whenever you write an essay, it should be built around an argument. In addition to academic essays, though, argument can also be useful in creative writing." This website includes links to the definition and examples of an argument.

How to Read a Poem
Steps and advice from Helen Orman.
Poetry - Critical Analysis - Outline
The following is presented as a general map or checklist of things to think about while analyzing a poem. The order is approximate; as you become more used to reading poetry, you will discover that many of these "steps" become conflated--run together.
Nevertheless, whenever you read a poem for the first time (and for the first few times; most poems require at least several readings) you should count on going through all these steps.

Elements of Poetry (Concept Check) (YouTube)
"Where we learn what are the basic elements of poetry - sound devices, figurative language, rhythm and form."
Glossary of Poetic Terms (Poetry Foundation)
Definitions and examples of poetic terms.
Modern American Poetry - The Poets (The Department of English - University of Illinois)
"There are 161 poet companion sites below. The poems analyzed are available in Anthology of Modern American Poetry (Oxford)"
Penn Sound Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing (University of Pennsylvania)
Note: Authors and files listed in the Series, Anthologies, and Singles pages (on the left) are not listed here. Use our search box at the bottom left of the screen for all listings of an author.
Poetry Explications -- UNC Writing Center
"A poetry explication is a relatively short analysis which describes the possible meanings and relationships of the words, images, and other small units that make up a poem. Writing an explication is an effective way for a reader to connect a poem’s plot and conflicts with its structural features. This handout [website] reviews some of the important techniques of approaching and writing a poetry explication, and includes parts of two sample explications."
Poets.org (the Academy of American Poets)
"Poets.org is produced by the Academy of American Poets. The site was launched in 1996, becoming the original online resource for poems, poets’ biographies, essays about poetry, and resources for K-12 teachers."

Tutoring: ENGL 1301 / 1302