Graduate Writing Center

Supporting Graduate Students' Academic and Professional Success

General Writing Resources

While there are important differences between the kinds of writing required in the many and diverse disciplines of academia, there are also a number of features and tasks common to effective writing in general. On this page, you’ll find helpful resources related to these more general principles and processes shared across numerous writing tasks and situations.
  • Helpful Links
  • Helpful Books

    (many of these are available in the GWC or through the library)

    • Thriving As A Graduate Writer by Rachel Cayley: Introduction to both academic writing and establishing an effective writing practice as a graduate student.
    • Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills by John M. Swales and Christine B. Feak: General guide for academic writing tailored for graduate students.
    • The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition: Official handbook for papers following Chicago Manual of Style guidelines.
    • Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White: An approachable guide to writing.
    • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th Edition: Official handbook for papers following MLA guidelines.
    • Writing Science in Plain English by Anne E. Greene: Seems to be based on Strunk and White and how it applies to science writing.
    • Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition: Official handbook for papers following APA guidelines.
    • On Writing Well, by William Zinsser: General writing advice.
  • Outside Editors

    Graduate students and postdocs occasionally require editing support beyond what the Graduate Writing Center is able to provide in the maximum two consultations per week. If you find that to be the case, you may need an outside editor. The editors listed below have previously worked in the GWC and are familiar with the needs of UCR graduate students.