Useful Writing Resources
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The Purdue Online Writing Lab OWL
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No login required
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Writing Mechanics: Contains several handouts and PowerPoint presentations discussing how to identify and remedy basic writing problems. Specific topics include sentence clarity, parts of speech overview, dangling modifiers, and parallel structure.
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Exercises: Contains over fifty different writing exercises focusing on grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and sentence style.
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No login required
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A free online version of Strunk's, The Elements of Style.
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Twenty short chapters containing solid and succinct writing advice.
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No Login Required
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An A-Z listing of grammar topics. Each topic contains a quick definition, examples, exercises, and additional links. Topics include passive voice, clauses, commas, comma splices, and modifiers.
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Hot Spots: Contains short exercises focusing on subject-verb agreement, plurals and possessives, and prepositions.
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Login Required
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Requires a Subscription
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Useful Style Manuals for Lawyers
You may also find the following recommended books helpful if you want a style manual that helps with usage, grammar, and punctuation beyond that available in the required texts (the books are available on Amazon; copies are also available on reserve in Pence Law Library):
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Richard Wydick & Amy Sloan, Plain English for Lawyers (7th ed. 2024).
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Ian Gallacher, A Form and Style Manual for Lawyers (2005).
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Strunk and White, The Elements of Style (paper, 2008).
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Deborah Bouchoux, Aspen Handbook for Legal Writers (5th ed. 2021).
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Ann Piccard, U.S. Legal Writing for International Lawyers and Law Students (2017).