Writing and Citation
As an academic, I can well appreciate the importance of citation and writing styles. Still I made it though 5 years of University with nothing but my trusty MLA (Modern Language Association) style. It was thus a bit unnerving that upon coming to Library school, I was suddenly asked for everything in APA (American Psychological Association) format. Realizing that I’ll probably have to explain, even teach writing and citation someday, I threw myself into learning this new style. Purdue’s Online Writing Lab has been an invaluable resource for me.
The site contains numerous topics relating to writing and citation (academic and technical writing in particular but there is also a brief section on creative writing). In fact, where professional writing styles are concerned, I’d even venture to call it comprehensive. The information is well organized, with clear subsections relating to things such as grammar, citation, the writing process, teaching writing, job searches, etc. Their concern with integrity and etiquette is quite refreshing.
OWL’s descriptions are clear and with good examples. Each page is brief and to the point, clearly guiding the reader to other relevant information on a topic. The information offered is appropriate for both novices and experts.
It is a good site that is reliable and easy to navigate. It is perfect for a quick refresher or for learning a new style.
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