Resources
The Elements of Style
by William Strunk, Jr.
"...this classic reference book is a must-have for any student and
conscientious writer. Intended for use in which the practice of
composition is combined with the study of literature, it gives in
brief space the principal requirements of plain English style and
concentrates attention on the rules of usage and principles of composition
most commonly violated."
Merriam-Webster
Dictionary and Thesaurus Online
A source for definitions, pronunciations (via audio clips), synonyms, the "Word of the Day," and more.
Guide
to Grammar and Writing
A wealth of information including grammar and punctuation rules
and tips for writing better. Also has fun, interactive grammar quizzes
to test your knowledge.
The OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue
University
A good resource for grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules. Also
contains practice exercises for those who are serious about fine-tuning
their grammar skills.
Good
Grammar, Good Style
Numerous articles on English language usage. Topics include tips for writing effective e-mails, subject-verb agreement, and problematic pronouns.
American
English
Traces the historical development of the various dialects of American
English.
Etymologically
Speaking
A listing of words that have interesting origins. A good page for
those with an interest in etymology.
American
Dialect Society's Word of the Year
Lists the words that are voted on as the most used (or perhaps overused)
of each year.
Merriam-Webster.com – hopefully
irregular verbs
Troyka, Lynn Quitman. Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers, 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2002.