Improving your writing skills

Graduate students ought to expect a more critical assessment of the basic mechanics of their writing. This includes a more rigorous evaluation of writing elements such as grammar, punctuation and spelling, overall organization and flow, clarity, and the appropriateness of the writing style used throughout the thesis.

The following handouts, prepared by the Learning Assistance Centre, provide excellent instruction on the proper use of grammar.

Restrictive vs. Non-restrictive Clauses

Sentence Structure

That or Which

The Colon

The Semicolon

The Learning Assistance Centre also offers free writing support sessions for graduate students. For information on booking an appointment, click here.


For a thorough treatment on the proper mechanics of writing, the book The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr., is an unparalleled resource, and highly recommended. You can read this book online for free here.