From online references to sites that are specifically designed to make research easier, the web holds something useful for every student writer. Here are 20 websites that are guaranteed to help students with research, writing, editing, and proofreading.
References
- RefDesk – Known as the fact checker for the Internet, RefDesk hosts an enormous collection of online references and other writing resources. The site also offers current news headlines, videos, and photos.
- Encylcopedia.com – This popular online reference offers 49 encyclopedias and more than 70 dictionaries and thesauruses.
- Merriam-Webster – Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary and thesaurus is even easier to use than the print version. The site also offers a word of the day, word games, and other vocabulary tools.
- Internet Public Library – This online reference site is great for teachers and researchers. Users can search the site or use the “Ask a Librarian” feature.
- ChaCha – ChaCha’s live human guides are dedicated to answering questions that are sent in by curious parties. Students can type their questions into the ChaCha search engine or contact a human guide via mobile phone.
Web Research
- CL1P.net – This Internet clipboard makes it easy to copy, paste, and share links between computers and send links to your mobile phone.
- Class Zone Web Research Guide – This web research guide from Class Zone is designed for beginning Internet users who want to learn more about finding, evaluating, and citing online resources.
- Google How-To – You can learn how to use all of Google’s basic features and some advanced features you didn’t even know about by exploring this how-to from Google.
- INFOMINE – This virtual library of databases, electronic journals, ebooks, and articles was built by librarians for students, teachers, and other academics.
- Sync2It – Sync2It is a free bookmark synchronizer that keeps your bookmarks private and accessible between computers and browsers.
Writing Resources
- Write Source – Created by writers and teachers for K-12 students, Write Source is a great place to find writing prompts, writing instruction, and other materials. The Write Source site also gives students the opportunity to submit writing for publication.
- Dartmouth Writing Program – This Dartmouth College website offers an incredible amount of information for older student writers. Specific topics include writing an academic paper, writing a thesis, and subject writing.
- WritingFix – Designed for teachers and students, Writing Fix offers interactive prompts, lessons, and other writing resources.
- SparkNotes – SparkNotes’ online guide to grammar is perfect for students who are looking for fast answers to their grammar and usage questions. Other resources include message boards and how-to articles.
- Bib Me – This automatic bibliography maker can help student writers create a works cited page for their paper. Bib Me supports multiple formats, including MLA, APA, Chicago, and Turabian.
Editing and Proofreading
- Grammar Girl – Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips (delivered via podcast) are easy to remember and implement. New tips are posted each week.
- Grammar Book – This free online grammar book offers grammar rules, punctuation rules, capitalization rules, commonly confused words, grammar videos, English quizzes, and other helpful resources.
- AskOxford – Although this site is best known for its dictionary resources, it is also a good place to find spelling and grammar tips and information about editing and proofreading.
- Language Tool – Language Tool is an open source grammar checker that can check for grammar problems in multiple languages. The tool does not check for spelling errors, but it does find common mistakes, such as no/now, their/there, etc.
- SpellChecker – This free online spell checker couldn’t be any easier to use. Simply copy and paste your info in. The SpellChecker will look for spelling errors and grammar problems.
Guest post from Karen Schweitzer who writes for TeachingDegree.org, a site that provides teaching degree information.
Related posts:
