Writing/English skills. Help.

[harvey_specter]

Hey guys,

I've taken a bit of time off from uni just to attend to a few matters, but I'm going to have some free time and I wanted to do something productive. I'd like to further improve my grammar, punctuation, general essay writing skills and vocabulary. They're are pretty good at this stage, but I want to take them to the next level.   

I was wondering if anyone could recommend some books/articles/methods/videos I can utilise.

Thanks.

[harvey_specter]

I think I chose too quiet a forum to post this in haha.

[Coffee]

Take a look at Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/) and MIT OpenCourseWare (http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm) - they might be a good place to start. Both are free as well. Just keep in mind that Coursera (not sure about the latter) do expect you to complete assignments and stay up to date so if you're looking for something a little more casual and relaxed then it might not be for you. Also, a good website to improve general vocabulary is http://www.vocabulary.com/
Anyway, here are some quick links:

Essay Writing
Basic Essay Structure: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/para.html
Introductions: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/introductions/
Thesis statements: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/thesis-statements/
Paragraph development: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/paragraphs/
Academic style: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/541254/Academic_Style_Update_051112.pdf
Connecting ideas: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/532900/Connecting_ideas_in_academic_writing_Update_051112.pdf
Introductions and conclusions: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/468862/Writing_introductions_and_conclusions_for_essays_Update_051112.pdf
Voice in Academic Writing: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/471298/Voice_in_Academic_Writing_Update_051112.pdf
Improving cohesion: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1264790/Improving_cohesion_Update_051112.pdf
Writing an academic assignment: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources/writing-an-academic-assignment
Report writing: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources/report-writing

Grammar
Punctuation: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/471285/Punctuation_Update_051112.pdf
Using quotation marks:
http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/529776/Using_quotation_marks_Update_051112.pdf
Using tenses in essays: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/471288/Using_tenses_in_essays_Update_051112.pdf
Developing your vocabulary: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/471292/Developing_your_vocabulary_Prof_writing_Update_051112.pdf
Parentheses and brackets: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Parentheses-Brackets-Edited.pdf
Full stops: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Fullstop-Edited.pdf
Apostrophes: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Apostrophes-Edited.pdf
Sentence structure: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Structure-in-Sentences-Edited.pdf
Grammar summaries and explanations: http://staff.washington.edu/marynell/grammar/grammar.html
Punctuation Exercises/Activity: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Punctuation-Exercises-Edited.pdf

Other
Referencing*: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing
Editing your work: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/develop-skills/writing/editing

*Includes Harvard, APA, Oxford, AGLC, Vancouver, IEEE, Numbered citation

Let me know if I've missed something you need. (Couldn't find much for vocab!)

[Dejan]

Are there any resources on Academic Writing? Because I am struggling on that massively. 

[_fruitcake_]

Are there any resources on Academic Writing? Because I am struggling on that massively.

http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources

[harvey_specter]

Take a look at Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/) and MIT OpenCourseWare (http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm) - they might be a good place to start. Both are free as well. Just keep in mind that Coursera (not sure about the latter) do expect you to complete assignments and stay up to date so if you're looking for something a little more casual and relaxed then it might not be for you. Also, a good website to improve general vocabulary is http://www.vocabulary.com/
Anyway, here are some quick links:

Essay Writing
Basic Essay Structure: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/para.html
Introductions: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/introductions/
Thesis statements: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/thesis-statements/
Paragraph development: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/paragraphs/
Academic style: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/541254/Academic_Style_Update_051112.pdf
Connecting ideas: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/532900/Connecting_ideas_in_academic_writing_Update_051112.pdf
Introductions and conclusions: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/468862/Writing_introductions_and_conclusions_for_essays_Update_051112.pdf
Voice in Academic Writing: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/471298/Voice_in_Academic_Writing_Update_051112.pdf
Improving cohesion: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1264790/Improving_cohesion_Update_051112.pdf
Writing an academic assignment: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources/writing-an-academic-assignment
Report writing: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/academic-resources/report-writing

Grammar
Punctuation: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/471285/Punctuation_Update_051112.pdf
Using quotation marks:
http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/529776/Using_quotation_marks_Update_051112.pdf
Using tenses in essays: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/471288/Using_tenses_in_essays_Update_051112.pdf
Developing your vocabulary: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/471292/Developing_your_vocabulary_Prof_writing_Update_051112.pdf
Parentheses and brackets: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Parentheses-Brackets-Edited.pdf
Full stops: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Fullstop-Edited.pdf
Apostrophes: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Apostrophes-Edited.pdf
Sentence structure: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Structure-in-Sentences-Edited.pdf
Grammar summaries and explanations: http://staff.washington.edu/marynell/grammar/grammar.html
Punctuation Exercises/Activity: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/Punctuation-Exercises-Edited.pdf

Other
Referencing*: http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing
Editing your work: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/develop-skills/writing/editing

*Includes Harvard, APA, Oxford, AGLC, Vancouver, IEEE, Numbered citation

Let me know if I've missed something you need. (Couldn't find much for vocab!)

Legend! thanks so much.
Didn't think I'd be relying on electronic 'coffee' as well as the regular coffee.

[brenden]

On Writing Well and Elements of Style

[harvey_specter]

Just bought both of them, thanks for the tip.

Also bought "The Briefest English Grammar and Punctuation Guide Ever."

[brenden]

Just bought both of them, thanks for the tip.

Also bought "The Briefest English Grammar and Punctuation Guide Ever."

Awesome! Good luck with it!