Online Writing Sources

1. Computer Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI), Punctuation and Grammar Basics for Law Students, and Punctuation and Grammar: Advanced.
• You need a password (available from the law library reference desk) to use this website

2. Purdue University Online Writing Lab
• Interactive online writing exercises
• Handouts, exercises, and other resources for ESL students
• Links to other online writing resources

3. Capitol Community College, Guide to Grammar and Writing
• Hundreds of good interactive exercises

4. William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style
• The online version of the classic book that contains answers to any and all questions about writing
• Often quoted by judges

5. Paul Brians, Common Errors in English
• Contains hundreds of examples of common errors, including many seen in student writing
• Click on any example for an explanation such as the following description of the difference between “i.e.” and “e.g.”:

“When you mean ‘for example,’ use e.g. It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase exempli gratia. When you mean ‘that is,’ use ‘i.e.’ It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est. Either can be used to clarify a preceding statement, the first by example, the second by restating the idea more clearly or expanding upon it. Because these uses are so similar, the two abbreviations are easily confused. If you just stick with good old English ‘for example’ and ‘that is’ you won't give anyone a chance to sneer at you. If you insist on using the abbreviation, perhaps ‘example given’ will remind you to use ‘e.g.,’ while ‘in effect’ suggests ‘I.E.’”

6. Edward Vavra, The KISS Grammar Site
• Huge website created by English professor and grammar expert at Pennsylvania College of Technology

7. Prof. Eugene Volokh, Eschew, Evade, and/or Eradicate Legalese
• Created by a Professor at UCLA School of Law
• Takes legalese terms and suggests simpler, more readable replacements