List of recommended books, articles, and online resources for essay writers

Books:

  1. “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White: A classic guide to writing style, grammar, and syntax.
  2. “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King: Part memoir, part writing guide, this book offers insights into the writing process.
  3. “The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers” by Christopher Vogler: Explores the concept of the hero’s journey and its application to storytelling.
  4. “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott: A warm, engaging guide to writing that covers topics like finding ideas and overcoming self-doubt.
  5. “The Craft of Research” by Booth, Colomb, and Williams: A comprehensive guide to research and writing for academic purposes.
  6. “They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing” by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein: Offers practical advice on how to engage with sources and develop a unique voice in academic writing.
  7. “The Oxford Handbook of Writing and Literacy Research” edited by Charles A. MacArthur, Steve Graham, and Jill Fitzgerald: A collection of essays on various aspects of writing research.

Articles:

  1. “The Essay as a Form” by Virginia Woolf: An essay that explores the nature of the essay form and its possibilities.
  2. “The Rhetoric of the Image” by Roland Barthes: Analyzes the ways in which images can be used to convey meaning and persuade audiences.
  3. “The Death of the Author” by Roland Barthes: A classic essay that challenges traditional notions of authorship and interpretation.
  4. “The Writing Process” by Donald Murray: Offers insights into the writing process, including how writers generate ideas and revise their work.
  5. “Teaching Writing as a Process, Not a Product” by Peter Elbow: Argues for a focus on the writing process rather than just the final product.

Online Resources:

  1. The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): A comprehensive resource that offers guides to grammar, mechanics, and style, as well as advice on research and citation.
  2. The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill: Provides resources on writing topics like thesis statements, introductions, and conclusions, as well as guides to specific genres like the argumentative essay.
  3. The Harvard Writing Project: Offers a range of resources, including guides to writing in different disciplines and advice on how to get started with a writing project.
  4. The Stanford University Libraries’ Guide to Research and Writing: Covers topics like finding sources, evaluating information, and organizing research.
  5. The Khan Academy’s Writing Course: A free online course that covers the basics of writing, including grammar, syntax, and style.

Blogs:

  1. The Write Practice: Offers daily writing prompts, tips, and advice on how to improve your writing skills.
  2. ProBlogger: Focuses on blogging and online writing, with tips on how to build an audience and monetize your blog.
  3. The Creative Penn: A blog that covers topics like self-publishing, marketing, and writing productivity.
  4. Goins, Writer: Offers advice on writing, creativity, and productivity, with a focus on helping writers build successful careers.
  5. The Writing Cooperative: A community-driven blog that features articles on various aspects of writing, including craft, business, and lifestyle.

Online Courses:

  1. Coursera’s “Introduction to Academic Writing” course: Covers the basics of academic writing, including grammar, syntax, and style.
  2. edX’s “The Art of Writing” course: Explores the creative aspects of writing, including fiction, poetry, and playwriting.
  3. Udemy’s “Essay Writing: The Ultimate Guide” course: Offers a comprehensive guide to essay writing, covering topics like research, organization, and style.
  4. Skillshare’s “Writing for Beginners” course: Covers the basics of writing, including grammar, syntax, and style, with a focus on creative writing.
  5. LinkedIn Learning’s “Writing Fundamentals” course: Offers a range of courses on various aspects of writing, including business writing, technical writing, and creative writing.

Remember, these resources are just a starting point, and there are many more books, articles, and online resources available to help you improve your essay writing skills.