Writing Resources

Library Resources

  • The UWP Writing Center (located on the first floor of the Wallace Library) is your most valuable writing resource! 
  • Summon is what the RIT Library calls its search tool. Here, you have access to all of the physical and digital resources within the Wallace Center, Cary Collection, and RIT Archives.  This tutorial and fun quiz, LIV@RIT,  will help you to get acclimated with the library and develop the skills you need to search in Summon, determine good sources, use the open internet thoughtfully, and cite your sources.  
  • This Citation Style Guide hosted by RIT Libraries covers APA and MLA citation styles, as well as a video tutorial about correct formatting in Microsoft Word. There are also links and instructions about four reference and citation management tools:  Noodlebib, Endnote, Mendeley, and Zotero
  • The RIT Librarians are available to help students with research and/or to answer any of your questions. On the Meet Your Librarians webpage, access librarian email addresses and phone numbers. You can schedule a one-on-one consultation with the librarian of your choice by using the Librarian Appointment online scheduling tool. You can also chat live with a librarian for immediate assistance during the hours of 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
  • Infoguides provide information for conducting research in a variety of disciplines, in support of a particular RIT course, or about tools such as citation builders. Each infoguide includes a description indicating the disciplinary focus and the resources contained within. The Library has created an infoguide specifically for Writing Classes. Check it out!
  • The RIT Library offers a variety of helpful tutorials. Visit the RIT Library YouTube Channel to get help with search strategies, finding eBooks, looking for resources within the Digital Collection, and more!

Web Resources

  • This Academic Integrity site includes student and faculty resources for understanding copyright, Turnitin, and institutional policies for both intentional and inadvertent plagiarism

Other helpful resources

  • The Purdue OWL has been a vital resource since its creation in 1995. The site includes information about subject-specific writing, English as a Second Language (ESL), professional writing as well as correct documentation in multiple citation formats.
  • Grammarly advertises itself as “the world’s most accurate online grammar checker.” The software is free with sign-up and can be installed as a plug-in for most browsers and word processing software. The site also offers Grammar Tips, a Blog about Writing, and Plagiarism Checker
  • The Editorial Freelancers Association helps writers looking for professional copyeditors. This is a fee-for-service organization through which writers post jobs and editors bid to be hired to complete them. The EFA provides information about common rates and requires a paid membership to access services.

Locating a Copy Editor

The Writing Center does not provide professional copy editing or proofreading services. If you are interested in having your thesis or dissertation edited or proofread for errors before you file with the Wallace Library, you will need to locate an editor and pay for this resource. The Editorial Freelancers Association is a professional organization that offers a member directory and job list. You can use this organization to contact and hire a professional copy editor. The EFA is in no way affiliated with RIT, the University Writing Program, the Writing Center, or the Wallace Library.