Reading, Writing, and Academic Study Skills Resources

For students:

  • The resources on this site are meant to provide general, supplemental information. Certain things may not apply to your specific context. Be sure to follow your instructor's directions first.
  • If you aren't sure how to proceed, ask a classmate, a tutor, or your instructor for support.

 

For instructors and tutors:

  • If you share TASC Materials, please give TASC credit by keeping our header, footer, and author information.
  • Note: these resources are not meant to replace interactive learning. Many people learn better with others, engaging, conversing, practicing, and appreciate guidance when they have questions or get stuck.

Content created and assembled by Karen Wiederholt and Taylor Harman.

Reading for college is challenging! These resources include strategies for reading more effectively and efficiently. Use them when you feel unmotivated or stressed, or want to tune-up your reading skills.

Getting started and staying motivated

Strategies for Before, During, and After Reading

Reading as Research
TIME MANAGEMENT Strategies for Reading Tips for DIGITAL READING How to Read ACADEMIC JOURNAL ARTICLES
How to GET TUTORING for Reading PREVIEW to Get an Overview of Longer Texts RESEARCH: Finding, Evaluating, and Keeping Track of Sources
SIX MYTHS about GOOD READERS PREREAD to Get the Gist of Shorter Readings  
  How to ANNOTATE Readings Effectively  
  Handling VOCABULARY in Readings  
  POST-READING: You’re Not Done Yet!  

Writing challenges--the assignment, the writer's feelings, the background noise (literal and figurative)--exist everywhere. Use these resources to learn strategies for when you feel stuck, approaches for getting stronger, or to discover ways to feel more comfortable as a writer. And please, ALWAYS follow your instructor's guidelines if they differ from any of the resources below.

Getting started and staying motivated

Structure and Style

Revising and Proofreading Your Writing

Incorporating Outside Sources
Language DIVERSITY and Writing Writing Effective INTRODUCTIONS Guidelines for REVISING– GENERAL Avoiding PLAGIARISM
Six Techniques to JUMPSTART YOUR WRITING Writing Effective CONCLUSIONS Re-Vision: Images and Steps for an Analytical Revising Process CITING Your Sources
Understanding the WRITING PROCESS: Overview and Tips Writing Effective THESIS STATEMENTS Checklist for REVISING AN ACADEMIC ESSAY PARAPHRASING An Author’s Ideas
Overcoming WRITER’S BLOCK The “PIE” PARAGRAPH PROOFREADING Strategies and Tips SUMMARIZING
Using OUTLINES for Writing     Using QUOTES in Your Writing
TIME MANAGEMENT for Writing     Best VERBS for Sharing Authors’ Ideas
How to GET TUTORING for Writing      

Strong academic skills can make college feel more manageable. Find resources on everything from studying effectively to planning your time with purpose.

Getting started and staying motivated

Time Management

Communication

Other Academic Skills
Tips for UNDERSTANDING AND COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS PLANNING YOUR TIME– Overview How to EMAIL YOUR INSTRUCTOR How to TAKE NOTES during a LECTURE
Tips for HOW TO STUDY     Organizing your DIGITAL WORKSPACE
Managing STRESS      
How to GET TUTORING for Academic/Study Skills      

Find information here about standard English grammar rules and forms, as well as tips on how to find errors.
How to GET TUTORING For Grammar

Tenses for Academic English

Common Grammar Errors in Academic Writing
Using PRESENT TENSE SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Using PAST TENSE (simple past) Sentence Boundary Errors: FRAGMENTS
Using PRESENT PERFECT TENSE Sentence Boundary Errors: RUN-TOGETHER SENTENCES
Using PAST PERFECT TENSE PARALLEL STRUCTURE