Yale Center for Teaching and Learning

Writing Handouts

The handouts on this page offer guidelines and models that illustrate how good writing works. They can help you motivate and evolve your argument; cite and analyze sources; and compose cohesive introductions, conclusions, and body paragraphs. Use them to improve your writing; then bring your paper to a Writing Partner or a Residential College Writing Tutor for feedback on your work. Printed copies of each handout are available in the Writing Center at 301 York St, mezzanine level.

A new introductions handout is coming soon!

Body Paragraphs - Models and describes the component parts of a strong analytical paragraph

Research Paragraphs - Models and describes the component parts of a paragraph that uses sources

Conclusions - Models and describes the component parts of a conclusion paragraph

Motivating Moves - Outlines a variety of approaches to answering the “So what?” question

Eight Strategies for Using Sources - Illustrates different ways sources can advance an argument

Finding a Good Essay Question - Models how to isolate a meaningful tension or problem

Composing an Effective Title - Presents conventions and strategies for composing titles in various disciplines

Stitching: Signal Words - Lists transition words appropriate in a variety of contexts

Putting Sources in Conversation: Verbs and Clauses - Lists verbs and phrases that clarify how two sources relate to one another, and to your own ideas

Working with Quotations 1: The Lead-In - Presents strategies for leading into a quotation

Working with Quotations 2a: Citation (MLA) - MLA format for in-text citations and list of works cited

Working with Quotations 2b: Citation (APA) - APA format for in-text citations and list of references

Working with Quotations 2c: Citation (CSE) - In-text citations and list of references in one format common in the sciences

Working with Quotations 2d: Citation (Chicago) - Chicago Manual of Style format for footnotes and bibliographic citations

Working with Quotations 3: Analysis - Discusses analyzing evidence across several levels of abstraction

The Writing Process - Models the critical thinking process that underlies complex, engaged writing

Revising Efficiently and Effectively - Streamlines revision by identifying a hierarchy of concerns

Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School - General guidelines and dos and don’ts for writing personal statements

 

If you have questions, corrections, or suggestions for new handouts, contact Ryan Wepler (ryan.wepler@yale.edu).