OBERLIN COLLEGE
WRITING ASSOCIATES
Discipline Specific
Choose which type of resource you would like to view:
Check out this awesome website WA Emma Brownstein made for lots of discipline-specific resources!
General Science Writing
These resources provide general guidelines and tips for writing in the sciences. Scroll down for more specific resources by discipline/department.
The Scientific Method Writing Guide
This guide walks through the scientific method of writing step by step. It was created by former WA Emma Hadden.
This document goes over tips and guidelines for various types of science writing.
Mechanics of Writing in the Sciences
This handout goes over best practices for mechanical aspects of science writing such as verb tense, tone, and citations. It comes from Hamilton College's Writing Center.
The Basic Structure of a Scientific Paper​
This infographic compares a scientific paper to an hourglass and walks students through the purpose of each section in a scientific paper. It was created by Bethany Gen in Spring 2021.
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Systematics and systematic exclusion: examining conventions in scientific writing
Through this mock scientific poster, WA Emily Humphreys explores the ways that conventions of scientific writing can be both helpful and harmful to students of various language backgrounds.
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Students’ Contributions to the Sciences in the Writing Center
WA Mist Newman writes about how WAs can encourage STEM students to see the value of their writing.
STEM by Discipline
This comprehensive guide walks through different chemistry assignments, conventions of the discipline, and common mistakes. It may be helpful for other types of science writing. It comes from the Swarthmore College Writing Center.
This guide outlines some conventions and mechanics of math writing.
WAs Explain: Biology
WA Emily Humphreys goes over the conventions of writing in Biology.
WAs Explain: Environmental Science
WA Emily Rosenberg goes over the conventions of Environmental Science writing.
WAs Explain: Physics
WA Eleda Fernald goes over the conventions of Physics writing.
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WAs Explain: Math
WA Ryo Adachi goes over the conventions of writing a math proof.
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Helping Computer Science Students Write
WA Mist Newman describes how WAs can help students in Computer Science with their writing assignments.
Social Sciences
This document outlines conventions and best practices of writing in Anthropology.
This guide provides an explanation of the conventions and elements of psychology writing. It comes from the Harvard College Writing Program.
Questions to Ask When Reviewing a Psych Lab
This guide is meant to be used for peer review, but provides a helpful list of questions that WAs could use. It comes from Hamilton College's Writing Center.
WAs Explain: Economics
WA Sun Moon goes over the conventions of Economics writing.
WAs Explain: Psychology
WA Bethany Gen goes over the conventions of Psychology writing.
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This checklist can be used to see whether a student's paper meets all the expectations of a Psychology lab report.
WAs Explain: Sociology
WA Jack Egan goes over the conventions of Sociology writing.
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This guide goes over different approaches to an Art History paper and discusses conventions of Art History writing. It comes from Hamilton College's Writing Center.
Humanities
This comprehensive document outlines how to approach common art history assignments and walks through strategies of visual analysis.
WAs Explain: Art History
WA Chloe Lai goes over the conventions of Art History writing, focusing on citations and style.
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WAs Explain: Art History
WA Lucy Soth goes over the conventions of Art History writing, focusing on visual analysis.
WAs Explain: Comparative American Studies
WA Kate Fishman goes over the conventions of CAST Writing
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This guide walks through how to approach various Cinema Studies assignments. It comes from the Swarthmore Writing Associates Program.
WAs Explain: English
WA Emma Brownstein goes over the conventions of an English research paper.
This document goes over common assignments, discipline-specific guidelines, and other helpful tips. It comes from the Swarthmore Writing Associates Program.
Writing a Good Philosophy Paper
This document walks through the steps of crafting a Philosophy paper. It comes from Hamilton College's Writing Center.
WAs Explain: Philosophy
WA Sadie Owens goes over the conventions of Philosophy writing.
Creative Writing and Labor-Based Contract Grading
WA Kate Fishman describes connections between the way CRWR classes give feedback and labor-based contract grading.
Insider Tips from English Majors
This guide was written by tutors who are literature majors to tutors who are not literature majors. It comes from Hamilton College's Writing Center.
WAs Explain: English
WA Caitlin McDermott goes over the conventions of literary analysis in English.
This comprehensive guide has different chapters that cover various aspects and conventions of the discipline. It comes from Hamilton College's Writing Center.
WAs Explain: History
WA Meredith Warden goes over the conventions of History writing.
WAs Explain: Philosophy
WA Corrie Purcell goes over the conventions of Philosophy writing.
WAs Explain: Religion
WA Julia Binder goes over the conventions of writing in Religion.
Have a resource or handout that you think is awesome? Email owap@oberlin.edu!