APPLY
VISIT
GIVE
While the Writing Center does not provide technical support per se, we are happy to point you in the right direction!
If you need help with your computer or want information on getting a loaner laptop, visit the CSUDH Technology Checkout Program website.
Your classes will likely use Canvas for all course materials. You can learn more about using Canvas here.
Also, our CSUDH library offers a wide variety of digital literacy tools and tutorials, including how to get the most out of the library website, LinkedIn Learning, ToroMail, BlackBoard, Google Drive, Microsoft Excel and Word, and more.
Additionally, as a DH student you have access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers training video courses in many areas and technologies and can be accessed via mycsudh.edu.
Strategies for Writing Essays
A great way to start any writing project is to make sure you understand what the assignment prompt is asking you to do. Here are a few techniques for making sure you start strong:
Figure out what the main question or instruction is—look for the most important task the prompt requires, and focus on how your draft can stay focused in addressing it.
Ask yourself about the genre: What kind of essay is it? The concept of genre in writing can be very powerful to understand. Just as with music—where we know what genre a song is by the elements we expect and recognize (for instance, if you hear a banjo in a song, you might think it’s probably a country or bluegrass song). Writing genres are similar. What should the introduction of an argumentative essay include? What are the expected sections in a research paper? How do in-class presentations usually begin? Asking yourself questions like this can guide you in meeting the requirements of the assignment
Ask yourself about the audience: Who are you writing for? Often, it will be your professor and/or your fellow classmates. Think about what expectations and biases they might have when they read your writing. What would you be looking for if you were in their shoes? What questions would you ask if you were reading what you wrote? Being aware of audience can improve your writing by creating empathy, understanding expectations, and anticipating feedback.
Look for verbs in the prompt and be sure to do those things. Often the prompt will ask you to “explain” or “analyze” or “support” or “provide” or “argue” something in your draft, which can provide good direction on how to organize and express your ideas.
Make a checklist—especially for longer prompts, it can be helpful to break out what’s being required into a checklist, that way you can return to it as you draft to make sure you’re including all of the required information.
Okay, but what if it’s confusing? Some prompts won’t have all the answers to these questions. That’s all part of the process. If you are confused by your prompt, here are some things you can try:
-Ask your professor for clarification or examples—ask during class or visit them during office hours
-Ask your classmates for help and/or start a study group—putting your heads together can create fresh ideas, foster collaboration and even build new friendships
-Embrace the uncertainty—Even though long, detailed prompts with lots of information and requirements can be overwhelming, but they can also give you a lot of direction on what to cover in your essay. On the flip side, short, vague prompts can leave you with tons of questions, but they can also leave room for your proactive creativity and initiative. Especially in upperclass and graduate courses, prompts are often more open, asking you to choose your topic, direction, or format, so don’t be afraid to take command with your writing.
Starting with making sure you understand the prompt can make a huge difference in keeping your drafts focused on the task(s) at hand. Also, returning to the prompt throughout your writing process will ensure you stay on track.
For more help understanding prompts, try these resources:
Everyone works differently, but a writing project often begins with ideas. Whether you prefer to freewrite, voice record, bubble map, or brainstorming can be fun, but it can also be intimidating. You can always make an appointment at the Writing Center for a brainstorming session! We can’t help you with course content (that’s your area of expertise), but we can help you get the ball rolling with some brainstorming activities.
Here are several brainstorming ideas and resources you can try on your next assignment:
Research is a major part of college coursework, and it takes practice. At the Writing Center, we’re happy to work with you on research strategies and techniques (though we will not actually do the research for you). Also, our very own CSUDH Library offers a wealth of research how-tos and tutorials that provide help with searching, developing keywords, evaluating and citing sources, and more.
And here are a few of our favorite resources to help you along the entire process of your next research project: