WCU Student Resources

Writing Resources

Writing Process

Learn more about the writing process via the WCU YouTube Writing Series.

From Brainstorming to Outlining to Drafting to Writing VIDEOS

• Brainstorming
• Drafting a Thesis
• Writing Topic Sentences
• Transitioning
• Outlining
• Writing an Introduction
• Developing a Body Paragraph
• Writing a Conclusion
• Revising and Editing
• Incorporating Research: Synthesis not Summary
• Incorporating Research: The Quote Sandwich
• Quoting versus Paraphrasing

Writing & Formal Tone VIDEOS

• Avoiding Personal Pronouns
• Avoiding Vague Language
• Avoiding Cliches
• Avoiding Wordiness

Plagiarism

What is Plagiarism?

To represent oneself as the author of some work that is in fact the work of someone else is to plagiarize. Plagiarism may include the “passing off” of the form of the work—for example, the exact words of a piece of writing—or the intellectual content, or both. Plagiarism "denies authors or creators of content the credit they are due" (APA, 2020, p.254). American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Self-Plagiarism is still Plagiarism

Recycling your assignments for credit in more than one class is plagiarism.

WCU Plagiarism Reminders

Students are expected to approach their academic endeavors with the highest academic integrity. Academic honesty is central to the institution/student partnership toward student success. Students are accountable for adhering to the Academic Integrity and Academic Dishonesty policies in the University Student handbook.

Any assignment submitted for credit in one course may not be submitted for credit in another course.

Students who are repeating a course must seek instructor permission to resubmit assignments from a previous course attempt. Students who do not have permission to resubmit work from a prior attempt of the same course will not earn credit for previously submitted content.

APA

APA 7th Edition Template: Select to access a 7th edition APA template Word document.

Learn more about APA Style

• Basics of APA
• Title Page
• Intext Citations
• Intext Citation Examples
• References Page
• Reference Page Examples

Research

Conducting Research

• How to Write a Research Paper
• The Research Cycle
• Types of Academic Sources
• Utilizing Google Scholar
• Library Databases
• Sample Academic Search
• Conducting a Literature Review

Tutoring Services

WCU Online Tutoring, Tutor.com & Grammarly

Writing Support: Tutoring, Computer Tools, and Faculty Support

WCU Tutoring

WCU online faculty are available to tutor you in writing, math, statistics, and science! If you need help and prefer to use a resource other than Tutor.com, you can schedule a live session with a WCU faculty who can provide you with content-specific support. You must schedule your session using this link: Virtual Academic Resource Center Faculty-Based Online Tutoring.

You must be logged into your WCU account to schedule a session. You will be booked for a virtual tutoring session, which is based on the availability of WCU faculty.

If you'd prefer to gain immediate access to a tutor 24/7, please check out Tutor.com. WCU tutoring must be scheduled in advance.

WCU Paper Dropoff Services

Paper drop-off hours are from Monday at 9:00 AM PST to Thursday at 5:00 PM PST. Feedback will be returned within 24-48 hours when submitted during drop-off hours. Any papers submitted outside the designated drop-off timeframe will still be reviewed, but will receive a delayed response. Also please keep in mind that feedback will pertain to writing skills, such as grammar, punctuation, and in-text citations. For specific help pertaining to a student’s course, students need to reach out to their instructor, or a tutor within their field of study. For additional assistance students can access Tutor.com through Canvas.

LibGuides: WCU Paper Drop-Off: WCU Paper Drop-Off Submittal

The Paper Drop-Off service pilot is available for online students.

Tutor.com

• Students have up to 90 minutes of free online tutoring time per month. If you need additional time, please reach out to your advisor or your faculty members, and we may add additional hours.
• You must login via your current Canvas course. Do NOT go to the Tutor.com site, or it will ask you to set up an account and pay. You have FREE access via WCU.
• Getting Started with Tutor.com. Connecting with expert tutors for on demand, 1:1 help. Access via your Canvas course today.

Use Tutor.com for:

• Live subject matter specific tutoring including nursing, math, writing, science, research, etc.
• Paper submission review
• MS Office products help, such as using Excel, Word, Powerpoint
• ESL-specific tutors

Grammarly

Grammarly: A Computer Tool to help with Spelling, Grammar, and Language

Grammarly will automatically check your paper for plagiarism issues, grammar, clarity, spelling, and more. You can use Grammarly as a plugin on your computer to check emails, messages, papers, and more.

• WCU online students have FREE access to the premium version of Grammarly.
• Access Guide for the premium version of Grammarly.

Log in to Grammarly: Access all Grammarly has to offer!

Student Success Skills

Study Skills

Effective study skills are an essential component of success in your WCU online program. From effective reading, to note-taking, to time management and procrastination. How you study and manage your online courses is key to success. Check out the below videos and links for some essential study skills. Master skills on:

• Focus and concentration
• Procrastination
• Note taking
• Effectively reading assignments