Useful for language support
At the Writing Lab we will help you in all stages of the academic writing process, from planning to structuring your text. However, we do not check grammar and spelling. Below we listed useful links for those who would like help with these aspects. We also included several links to writing centers of other Dutch universities. Writing coaches at these writing centers also do not provide help with spelling and grammar, but they also listed useful online resources that are freely accessible.
Reference works
- Manchester Phrasebank – Database for help with spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
- Learn English: British Council – Overview of grammar rules and support for learning English.
- Really Learn English – Overview of the most common and important rules for English spelling.
- Reverso – Dictionary and grammar support.
- Thesaurus – For finding synonyms and alternative phrasings.
Academic writing
- owl.purdue.edu (general academic writing tips)
- writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/ (general academic writing tips)
- phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk (zinsbouw, spelling en grammatica)
- uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm
- Grammarly – To check spelling and grammar in your own work.
- portal.coutinho.nl/effectivestrategies/study-material/forms.html (ready-to-use hand-outs from ‘Effective strategies’ of Joy de Jong, Coutinho)
Skills Lab
The Skills Lab of Utrecht University—much like the Writing Lab at Leiden University—offers writing coaching to students to help them with academic writing. On this webpage, the Skills Lab listed several useful links and books for Dutch and English language support, categorized according to general and academic use of the language. The offline resources are aimed at Utrecht University students.
Taalwinkel
The Taalwinkel of the University of Amsterdam and the Hogeschool of Amsterdam offers helpful tips for language problems in Dutch. It not only provides help with grammar, spelling and interpunction, it also offers several online exercises aimed at recognizing and avoiding common mistakes for Dutch learners as a second language. The webpage is only available in Dutch.
Radboud Writing Lab
The Writing Lab of Radboud University also does not offer correction services for writing assignments, but it provides links to private companies that do.