Each discipline has its own style, structure, and format when it comes to academic writing. This section provides resources on writing in specific disciplines, broken down into the following five general academic categories: Business and Communication, Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences and Mathematics.<\/p>\n
The Humanities<\/a> category is further broken down by subject and common rhetorical writing tasks in that discipline: analysis, argument and persuasion, cause and effect, classification, comparison and contrast, definition, description and narrative.<\/p>\n Also see: <\/strong>Citing Sources<\/a> for discipline-specific citation styles | Professional Writing<\/a> for common non-academic writing resources such as writing for email, for the web and for the job search.<\/p>\n Business Writing<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) “This handout will help you write business letters required in many different situations, from applying for a job to requesting or delivering information. While the examples that are discussed specifically are the application letter and cover letter, this handout also highlights strategies for effective business writing in general.”<\/p>\n Communication Studies<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) 糖心vlog Databases: Business, Economics & Management <\/strong><\/a>(糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n Writing for a North American Business Audience<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) Writing for an Indian Business Audience<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) Writing in Business<\/strong><\/a> (Writing@CSU) Resources for writing in the Humanities are broken down into the following sections. See resources for each below.<\/p>\n Four Keys to Writing in the Humanities<\/strong><\/a> (Mark T. Unno, University of Oregon) Writing in the Humanities and Arts<\/strong><\/a> (UCLA Graduate Writing Center) Art History<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) 糖心vlog Databases: Art and Design<\/strong><\/a> (糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n Writing Across the Curriculum: Writing About Art<\/strong><\/a> (Hunter College Writing Center) (PDF) Writing About Art<\/strong><\/a> (Marjorie Munsterberg) Guidelines for Viewing Dance and Writing Critiques for Dance Performances<\/a> (Myra Daleng, University of Richmond Writing Center) 糖心vlog Databases: Theatre & Dance <\/a>(糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n Writing a Dance Critique<\/strong><\/a> (Utah Tech University) Drama – UNC Chapel Hill<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) Drama Terms: Brief Definitions <\/a>(Washington State University) How to Review a Play<\/strong><\/a> (University of Wisconsin \u2013 Madison, The Writing Center) 糖心vlog Databases: Theatre & Dance <\/a>(糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n How to Write About Film: The Movie Review, The Theoretical Essay, and The Critical Essay<\/strong><\/a> (University of Colorado, The Writing Center) (PDF) Lights, Camera, Brainstorming: Writing About Film<\/strong><\/a> (Agnes Scott College, Center for Writing and Speaking) (PDF) 糖心vlog Databases: Film Studies<\/strong><\/a> (糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n The McGraw-Hill Film Viewer’s Guide<\/strong><\/a> (McGraw-Hill) (PDF) Writing About Film<\/strong><\/a> (Simon Fraser University Library) Writing About Film<\/a> (Duke University, Thompson Writing Program) (PDF) Basics of News Writing<\/a> (Write Right: A Student Audio Podcast<\/em>, Texas A&M University, University Writing Center) Feature News vs. Hard News<\/a>(Write Right: A Student Audio Podcast, <\/em>Texas A&M University, University Writing Center) Lives: Columns – The New York Times<\/a> (The New York Times<\/em>) How to Interview Sensitive Sources With Tips <\/strong><\/a>(Masterclass) Writing on Deadlines<\/a> (Alaska Press Club) Book Reviews<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) Fiction Terms: 35 Brief Definitions<\/a> (Washington State University) Guidelines for Writing a Literature Review<\/strong><\/a> (Helen Mongan-Rallis, University of Minnesota Duluth) Introduction to Modern Literary Theory<\/a> (Kristi Siegel, Mount Mary College) Literary Theory and Schools of Criticism<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) Literature<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) Literature Reviews<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) 糖心vlog Databases: Literature<\/strong><\/a> (糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n Writing About Fiction<\/strong> (Purdue OWL) Writing About Literature<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) Writing in Literature Overview<\/a> (Purdue OWL) 糖心vlog Databases: Music<\/a> (糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n Writing about Music – Calgary<\/a> (The University of Calgary, Robert M. Seiler) Writing about Music – UNC<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) A Brief Guide to Writing the Philosophy Paper<\/strong><\/a> (Harvard College Writing Center) How to Write a Philosophy Paper<\/strong><\/a> (David Clowney, Rowan University) 糖心vlog Databases: Philosophy<\/strong><\/a> (糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n Philosophy <\/strong><\/a>(UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) Tips on Writing a Philosophy Paper<\/strong><\/a> (Douglas W. Portmore, Arizona State University) (PDF) Glossary of Poetic Terms<\/strong><\/a> (Poetry Foundation) How to Read a Poem<\/strong><\/a> (University of Wisconsin \u2013 Madison, The Writing Center) Image in Poetry<\/a> (Purdue OWL) Poetry Explications<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) Poetry Terms: Brief Definitions<\/strong><\/a> (Washington State University) Writing About Poetry<\/strong><\/a> (Purdue OWL) 糖心vlog Databases: Jewish Studies<\/strong><\/a> (糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n 糖心vlog Databases: Religion<\/strong><\/a> (糖心vlog, University Libraries)<\/p>\n Religious Studies<\/strong><\/a> (UNC Chapel Hill, The Writing Center) In academic writing, one can be asked to do many different types of writing. Some papers have you conducting research, while others require you to formulate an argument or write a critique, and some often have you do a combination of research and argument. This section includes resources on the following specific types of academic writing: analysis, argument and persuasion, cause and effect, classification, comparison and contrast, definition, description, and narrative. See Conducting Research<\/a> for resources on writing research papers.<\/p>\n Analysis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay<\/strong><\/a> (Bucks County Community College) (PDF) Literary Analysis Guide<\/strong> <\/a>(Goshen College English Dept.) Argument and Persuasion<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Argument<\/strong><\/a> (Writing@CSU)BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATION<\/h2>\n
\n“This handout describes some steps for planning and writing papers in communication studies courses.”<\/p>\n
\n“This handout provides examples and information (written for non-North Americans) on how to write for a business audience. It includes information on getting to the point, keeping it simple, active and passive voice, nondiscriminatory language, and verb overgeneralizing.”<\/p>\n
\n“This handout provides examples and information on writing for both domestic and international audiences doing business in India. It includes information on letters and memos, as well as important stylistic considerations. The handout concludes with comments on some important characteristics of English writing in India, and on the status of English in business writing compared with native Indian languages, such as Hindi and Bengali.”<\/p>\n
\nAn online writing guide about writing for business. Sections address writing business letters<\/a>, resumes<\/a>, press releases<\/a> and executive summaries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>HUMANITIES > GENERAL<\/h3>\n
\n\u201cOne of the challenges of writing papers in the humanities is that courses and instructors have different requirements and expectations. Nevertheless, there are certain things that tend to be consistent across the curriculum, such as focus and simplicity, basic forms of argument, documentation, and writing as a craft.<\/em> When you begin to understand these basic elements, then the variety of requirements and expectations will actually become a source of inspiration and wisdom rather than confusion and frustration.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe books and articles below offer advice on writing dissertations, theses, articles, proposals, and abstracts in the humanities and arts (although some of these sources address a broader audience).\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > ART AND ART HISTORY<\/h3>\n
\n“This handout discusses several common types of art history assignments, and talks about various strategies and resources that will help you write your art history papers.”<\/p>\n
\nThis handout explains different types of art history papers and includes a series of rhetorical questions for analyzing paintings, portraits, figural scenes, landscapes, sculptures, and architecture.<\/p>\n
\nThis page discusses the different ways to approach an art history paper and includes sample excerpts.<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > DANCE<\/h3>\n
\nIdeas and suggestions for writing a critique of a dance performance. One of the most interesting sections of the handout is the “Dance Critique Pet Peeves” that lists words and phrases to avoid when writing a dance critique. There is also a checklist for writing a critique at the end. Also see: Research-Based Writing.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThis handout presents five steps to critiquing a performance and includes questions for evaluation.<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > DRAMA<\/h3>\n
\n\u201cThis handout 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nA dictionary of drama terms.<\/p>\n
\nHere are some tips to help you before you begin writing a play review. This page offers advice on what you can do to prepare before the play and what types of questions you should be asking yourself during the play.<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > FILM<\/h3>\n
\nA guide to thinking critically about film using Timothy Corrigan’s three major genres.<\/p>\n
\nThis handout provides suggestions for what to do before, during, and after watching the film.<\/p>\n
\nThis PDF discusses the conventions of writing about film and includes sample student papers.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis guide has been designed as a starting point for research into writing about films.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n“This handout discusses ways to approach film as a visual medium. It offers suggestions for focus, prewriting tips, and guidance on how to think critically about a medium many of us think of as popular entertainment. It does not include a comprehensive list of technical film terminology, although it does provide links to several sources that do. This handout deals with decoding film as a viewer, considering how film appears rather than how it was made.”<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > JOURNALISM<\/h3>\n
\nAn interview with Dale Rice, Director of Journalism Studies, about how to write a news story.<\/p>\n
\nAn interview with “Dale Rice, Director of Journalism Studies here at Texas A&M, about the difference in hard news and feature news writing.”<\/p>\n
\n“Since 1996, The Times Magazine has published the Lives column, a series of incisive, 800-word essays or as-told-to accounts that highlight small moments in real people\u2019s lives. While a number of well-known writers have contributed to this column \u2014 including Nora Ephron, Michael Pollan, Karen Russell and others \u2014 some of the best submissions have been from nonprofessional writers, people who felt that they had a really good story to tell.”<\/p>\n
\n“In the course of reporting, an investigative journalist may need to interview sensitive sources or anonymous sources to glean the most accurate information.”<\/p>\n
\n“Deadlines are the bane and lifeblood of reporting. New York Times reporter Sarah Mervosh has created several routines and checklists to help.”<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > LITERATURE<\/h3>\n
\n“This handout 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.”<\/p>\n
\nA dictionary of poetry terms.<\/p>\n
\nMongan-Rallis uses Galvin’s Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Behavioral Sciences<\/em>, 3rd ed., to reiterate and expand upon a step-by-step approach to writing a literature review. She mentions technology that is useful in composing\/organizing a literature review and includes links to additional resources.<\/p>\n
\nSiegel explains 18 literary theories and includes suggestions for further reading.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis resource will help you begin the process of understanding literary theory and schools of criticism and how they are used in the academy.\u201d The sections on this handout include:<\/p>\n\n
\n“This handout describes some steps for planning and writing papers about fiction texts.”<\/p>\n
\n“This handout will explain what a literature review is and offer insights into the form and construction of a literature review in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.”<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis handout covers major topics relating to writing about fiction. This covers prewriting, close reading, thesis development, drafting, and common pitfalls to avoid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
\n\u201cThis handout provides examples and description about writing papers in literature. It discusses research topics, how to begin to research, how to use information, and formatting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
\n\u201cThese sections describe in detail the assignments students may complete when writing about literature.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > MUSIC<\/h3>\n
\nDr. Seiler offers “hints on how to help the reader appreciate the complexities of the performance you plan to write about” focusing on “(a) getting ready to write and (b) writing the piece.”<\/p>\n
\n“This handout features common types of music assignments and offers strategies and resources for writing them.”<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > PHILOSOPHY<\/h3>\n
\nAn introduction to writing a philosophy paper, which includes useful examples.<\/p>\n
\nBegins with general tips on writing a paper and then offers suggestions for writing interpretive, analytic, and exploratory papers.<\/p>\n
\n“This handout discusses common types of philosophy assignments and strategies and resources that will help you write your philosophy papers.”<\/p>\n
\nThis thorough handout discusses thesis statements, structure, content, rhetorical considerations, documentation, and style for a philosophy paper.<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > POETRY<\/h3>\n
\nA complete glossary of poetry terms. You can search for terms alphabetically or filter them by \u201cForms & Types,\u201d \u201cRhythm & Meter,\u201d \u201cSchools & Periods,\u201d \u201cTechniques & Figures of Speech,\u201d and \u201cTheory & Criticism.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThis source provides questions to help you identify a poem\u2019s subject, context, form and language.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis section covers images as they appear in poetry and covers related terminology, definitions and origins of images, uses of images, and several exercises.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n“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 reviews some of the important techniques of approaching and writing a poetry explication, and includes parts of two sample explications.”<\/p>\n
\nA dictionary of poetry terms.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWriting about poetry can be one of the most demanding tasks that many students face in a literature class. Poetry, by its very nature, makes demands on a writer who attempts to analyze it that other forms of literature do not. So how can you write a clear, confident, well-supported essay about poetry? This handout offers answers to some common questions about writing about poetry.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > RELIGION<\/h3>\n
\n“This handout will help you to write research papers in religious studies.”<\/p>\n<\/a>HUMANITIES > RHETORICAL TASKS<\/h3>\n
\nBreaks down the “elements of a solid essay” to guide readers in their own literary analyses.<\/p>\n
\nIncludes strategies and principles for analyzing a text, along with sample analysis paragraphs.<\/p>\n
\nAn online writing guide to “help writers better understand how to plan, organize, develop, support and revise a written argument.” Sections of the guide address the parts of an argument<\/a>, the Toulmin Method<\/a> and adapting the argument to the audience<\/a>.<\/p>\n