The more you tutor, the more you will have answers and troubleshooting solutions at your mental fingertips. However, just as writing is a learning process, so too is tutoring. The following is a compilation of incredibly helpful resources available in the Writing Center library and easily accessible (and highly useful!) online resources.
Essential Tutoring Resources
- Rules for Writers by Diana Hacker
All-purpose guide to access for all parts of writing, from grammar and style, to format and structure. Quick reference tool for common ELL problems.
- A Guide to MLA Style: 2016 Update by Norton
Quick reference guide to up-to-date MLA citation styles, paper formatting, and a full sample paper.
- Grammar Troublespots by Ann Raimes
Provides explanations, easy breakdowns, and reproducible exercise pages of common ELL grammar issues.
- The Little Seagull Handbook by Richard Bullock
Guidebook on types of writing assignments, formats for the different writing projects, etc.
- A Student Handbook for Writing in Biology by Karin Knisely
Guidebook with examples for various biology/science writing concepts and structures.
- Grammar Girl’s Quick & Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty
Easily accessible tips for improving writing.
- Grammar Girl’s 101 Misused Words You’ll Never Confuse Again by Mignon Fogarty
Short, witty definitions with examples of commonly confused words.
Most up-to-date, extensive resource on citation styles, formats, and related writing questions.
Grammar Girl’s quick access, searchable website.
Additional ELL Tools (for tutor and student)
- English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy
- Advanced English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy
- English Collocations in Use by Michael McCarthy & Felicity O’Dell
- English Verbal Phrases in Use by Michael McCarthy & Felicity O’Dell
- English Idioms in Use by Michael McCarthy & Felicity O’Dell
- Understanding & Using English Grammar Workbook by Betty Azar, et al.
- Longman Academic Reading Series 5 by Lorraine Smith
Additional Interesting Tutoring Reads
- The Norton Field Guide to Writing by Richard Bullock
- A Guide to Teaching: the Norton Field Guide by Richard Bullock
- The Bedford Guide for Writing Tutors by Leigh Ryan & Lisa Zimmerelli
- The St. Martin’s Sourcebook for Writing Tutors by Christina Murphy & Steve Sherwood
- ESL Writers: A Guide for Writing Center Tutors by Shanti Bruce & Ben Rafoth
- The Elements of Style by William Strunk & E.B. White
- Woe is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O’Conner
