WCC Resources

Learning Resource Announcement!

We have recently changed our Online Resources page to reflect a more robust set of resources for your writing and communication needs. You will notice, we have removed the separate External Resources link and have moved those links to their respective location under the WCC Resources page. Additionally, we have removed redundant resources and will continue to add to our collection to support your learning. Finally, our continuous aim is to improve your experience by making it easier for you to find the writing and communication guidance you need when you need it.

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The Writing Process

Genres and Modes of Communication

Starting Your Assignment

Structuring and Organizing Your Writing

Grammar Conventions and Style

Managing Citations and Research

Citation Styles and Guidelines

Reporting Verbs

Paraphrase

Citing a Source More Than Once

Integrating Evidence Effectively: Author-Prominent and Information-Prominent

Younging, Gregory.Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples.Edmonton: Brush Education, 2008.

  • This book outlines Indigenousprinciples for writing about Indigenous peoples and knowledge in ways that are culturally appropriate, respect cultural protocols, and ensure ethical representation.

Wilson, Shawn.Research Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing, 2008.

  • This valuable guide presents Indigenous research methods grounded in relationality and respect,equippingstudents with an ethical, culturally informed approach to research.

Revising and Polishing Your Work

Using GenAI

Recommended Writing Resources

Handbooks on Writing

The following is a list of writing handbooks commonly assigned in courses at the University of ݮƵ:

  • Aaron, Jane E. and Aimée Morrison.The Little Brown Compact Handbook. 5th Canadian ed. Toronto: Longman, 2012.

  • Harris, Muriel and Judi Jewinski.Prentice Hall Reference Guide for Canadian Writers. Toronto: Pearson, 2009.

  • Hogue, Ann.The Essentials of English: A Writer’s Handbook.New York: Longman, 2003.

Spiral-bound with built-in tabs for easy reference, each book covers the basics of writing and research, including grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, and citation style.

Handbooks on Academic Writing

The following two books cover a variety of topics related to research and writing:

  • Northey, Margot and Joan McKibbin.Making Sense: A Student's Guide to Research and Writing.7th ed. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2012.

  • Ruszkiewicz, John R. and Jay T. Dolmage.How to Write Anything: A Guide and Reference with Readings. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011.

Both books offer clear, in-depth explanations of the main academic genres (essays, book reports, lab reports, oral presentations, and examinations), as well as professional ones (résumés and letters of application). As its title suggests,How to Write Anythingcovers a great range of writing genres —more thanMaking Sense.

Handbooks on Research and Writing

The following two books cover a variety of topics related to research and writing:

  • Northey, Margot and Joan McKibbin.Making Sense: A Student's Guide to Research and Writing.7th ed. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2012.

  • Ruszkiewicz, John R. and Jay T. Dolmage.How to Write Anything: A Guide and Reference with Readings. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011.

Both books above offer clear, in-depth explanations of the main academic genres (essays, book reports, lab reports, oral presentations, and examinations), as well as professional ones (résumés and letters of application). As its title suggests,How to Write Anythingcovers a great range of writing genres —more thanMaking Sense.

  • Younging, Gregory.Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples.Edmonton: Brush Education, 2008.

This book outlines Indigenousprinciples for writing about Indigenous peoples and knowledge in ways that are culturally appropriate, respect cultural protocols, and ensure ethical representation.

  • Wilson, Shawn.Research Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing, 2008.

This valuable guide presents Indigenous research methods grounded in relationality and respect,equippingstudents with an ethical, culturally informed approach to research.

Handbooks on Research and Writing with a Focus on English Language Learners

  • Swales, John M. and Christine B. Feak.Academic Writing for Graduate Students.3rd ed. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2012.

This book covers much of the same ground asMaking Sense, but this one is designed for English language learners, including “Language Focus” sections and exercises throughout.

Handbooks on Specific Writing Assignments

  • Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, Walter E. Oliu.Handbook of Technical Writing.Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008.

Covering a wide range of topics, this handbook includes brief entries on a variety of technical genres (e.g., grants, white papers, proposals), as well as on formal e-mails, cover letters, and resumes.

E-Books

  • Ami, Nancy Natalie Boldt, Sara Humphreys, Erin Kelly.Why Write? A Guide for Students in Canada.Victoria, BC:Academic Writing Program, University of Victoria, 2020.. Used under a CC BY 4.0 International License.

  • Indigenous Corporate Training INC. Indigenous Peoples: A Guide to Terminology. 2021..

  • Penrose, Ann M. and Steven B. Katz.3rd Edition. Open Access Version, 2010.

Creative Commons License
The WCC resources are licensed under a . Pleasecreditthe University of ݮƵ Writing and Communication Centre.