Style

"Style is an increment in writing. When we speak of Fitzgerald's style, we don't mean his command of the relative pronoun, we mean the sound his words make on paper. Every writer, by the way he uses the language, reveals something of his spirit, his habits, his capacities, his bias. This is inevitable as well as enjoyable." (Strunk, The Elements of Style)

This part of the tutorial focuses on clear and effective writing strategies and research project essentials like documentation. Examples are provided in two documentation styles: APA and MLA. This tutorial uses guidelines from the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. (Washington DC: APA, 2013); the MLA Handbook, 8th ed. (New York: MLA, 2016); and basic academic standards.

Take the Quick Self-Test to identify common style mistakes you may encounter in your writing. Follow the links included in the quiz question answers to learn about how to correct or avoid each mistake. If you prefer, you may review the entire style section.

Quick Self-Test

Review Style