How to Build a Positive Attitude about Yourself as a Writer
"A negative attitude toward yourself as a writer can make you anxious and lead you to 'block.' A positive attitude can guide you realistically through the process. Learn how to change your anxiety-producing thoughts to encouraging thoughts."

The Paragraph
This site provides you with basic instruction and advice regarding the creation of understandable and coherent paragraphs. The site includes information on topic sentences, unity, coherence, and adequate development.

Writing Effective Paragraphs
Learn techniques for writing and placing topic sentences in paragraphs and for adding supporting details that result in effective paragraphs.

The Topic Sentence
Review important guidelines for writing effective topic sentences for paragraphs.

Strategies for Prewriting
"Prewriting is most effective when it is exhaustive; in other words, you will get the most out of these techniques when you really use them to their fullest capacity." Seven prewriting strategies can help you generate ideas for your paragraphs.

Clustering
"Clustering helps you gain access to parts of the mind responsible for original ideas and insights." This site gives you a ten-minute clustering exercise. A sample cluster is included. The URL will take you to the Learning Skills Centre. Once there, click on the "Writing Skills" link, which is found at the bottom of the page. From the list of "Handouts" provided, click on "Clustering" to access the exercise and sample cluster.

Freewriting
"Freewriting on a topic can generate content, provide rough material for an outline, develop main points, and help you discover a thesis. Most importantly, freewriting helps you write and bypass writers' block by shutting off the critic in your mind." Try these seven steps for freewriting and see an unedited freewriting example. The URL will bring you to the Learning Skills Centre. Once there, click on the "Writing Skills" link, which is found at the bottom of the page. From the list of "Handouts" provided, click on "Freewriting" to access the exercise.