An Ability To Communicate
Communication Arts newsletter, January '06

Would you like to contribute a CommArts-related article? Is there an issue you would like us to discuss in a future issue? Please contact Lyn Neylon or Mary Graham.

General

• MS Word template fully formatted to MLA specifications.
  Download this for your assignments, and the format will be perfect.
• Instructions for formatting your MS Word file.
• MLA layout
• MLA citation: How to cite various types of materials (use the gold-colored link, "Citing sources," in the menu at top left of the site).
• Citation Machine: This is a great tool for setting up your citations of various types of material: An easy fill-in-the-blank form will walk you through your citations (both "Works Cited" and in-text parenthetical). Hit "Submit," and your ready-to-use citation can be copied and pasted right into your page.
• Evaluating Web sources (a site provided by University of Maryland University College)
• What do grades mean?
• Code of classroom conduct
• Essay evaluation sheet
• Research evaluation sheet
• English department philosophy
• Reading and Writing Center flyer
• Reading and Writing Center philosophy

Other useful resources

• Dr Grammar: "Your Rx for writing ills"
• Dave's ESL Cafe
• Roget's Thesaurus, University of Chicago
• Miriam-Webster Online dictionary
• Cambridge Dictionaries Online
• Online Etymology Dictionary
• Writers' Web, University of Richmond
• Your Dictionary.com: dictionary, language dictionaries, thesaurus

Mechanics

This link will take you to some brief lessons in the areas of grammar and usage which give students most trouble. These lessons are not comprehensive, but they are a good place to begin.

You also will find links to outside sites specializing in these areas.

Then be sure to consult your favorite writing handbook. Keys for Writers by Ann Raimes is a good one. On any computer with CommonSpace installed--including those in the Cuyamaca College English Writing Lab--you may access Keys for Writers by Ann Raimes on-line. (You will find it in the CommonSpace "Help" menu.) In our Writing Lab you also may use such software as Practical Grammar to hone your editing skills. Ask the writing tutors or lab aides for assistance.

Student-Success

The Spring 2002 English 100 Bridge class created a page suggesting strategies and exploring resources helpful for achieving success in college.

Forum for Teaching Excellence

On-going staff-development opportunity: Certainly our most valuable asset at Cuyamaca College is our constellation of innovative teachers, both full- and part-time. And our best vehicle for nurturing effectiveness in the classroom is the sharing of ideas. Our primary focus in this session is the sharing of pedagogical strategies in the communication arts, but anyone is welcome who is anxious to teach writing and reading better. Come prepared to share your best discoveries. Come with questions and problems. Come ready to collaborate with your colleagues. Check your schedule each semester for times and places. Write Tim Pagaard with suggestions or questions.