English Tutoring Lab Handouts

Get moving to your career goals! These handouts will help you hit the road.

How to read textbooks

How to preview your textbook. The author of this two-page handout suggests you follow these 12 steps to become better acquainted with your textbook.

How to read a textbook. In this two-page handout, the author shows you there is a more efficient way to understand a textbook than reading it through four or five times.

How to read a textbook chapter. In this brief handout, the author describes a textbook study system that will allow you to study faster and more efficiently.

Use the SQ3R method for textbooks.  In this brief handout, the author provides a concise method for reading and studying textbooks.

Improve your vocabulary

Develop vocabulary while reading. The author describes the use of index cards, the four kinds of vocabularies and three ways to determine the meaning of a word while reading.

 Develop your vocabulary. In this handout, the author describes using index cards and gives other suggestions for increasing vocabulary.

Find word meanings in sentences. This handout contains many tips to help the reader discover the meaning of a word without relying on dictionary.

Improve your listening skills

Classroom Clues for Listening.  In this detailed handout, the author gives 13 techniques that instructors use to emphasize important points in a lecture.

Using abbreviations for note-taking

How to abbreviate. The author gives ten suggestions to help readers abbreviate notes.

Examples of abbreviation. This handout lists sample abbreviations. 

Writing Essay Tests

Twelve steps for taking an essay test. This handout describes how to write an in- class essay using the five paragraph model.

How to take essay tests. Keys to writing successful, in-class essays are discussed in this handout, which also describes practical steps before writing the essay as well as some bonus techniques.  

Key directive words used in essay questions. The author of this handout stresses that good answers to essay questions depend on understanding the question.  

Stress reduction 

Stress reduction techniques. In this concise handout, the author gives 10 stress management suggestions.

Stress reduction exercises. Listed in this handout are 4 stress management exercises that can be done in just a few minutes every day.

Developing the Essay

Showing and telling. This handout gives examples of effective (showing) and ineffective (telling) writing.

Paragraph development. In this handout, the author describes the difference between general and specific statements and their role in paragraph development. 

Examples of sentences with transitions. This handout gives examples of words in sentences that show addition, opposition, result and concession.

List of transitional words and phrases. A list of words and phrases is presented for the transitional concepts of addition, contrast, result, alternation, cause, repetition, and purpose. 

Editing the Essay       

Focus on sentences. The author emphasizes the importance of using concrete subjects, avoiding the use of “it” or “there” as the subjects of sentences, avoiding passive verbs and avoiding forms of the verb “to be” in writing clear sentences.  

Correcting wordiness.  This handout presents examples of wordy phrases and suggests corrections.

Grammar and Proofreading Tips 

Parts of speech –quick reference guide. The seven parts of speech are defined: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, pronouns.  

Commas, the six rules. The author provides definitions and examples of the six comma rules.  

Possessive pronouns and contractions. The author explains the difference between possessive pronouns which do not take an apostrophe and possessive nouns which do. Contractions are also covered.

A guide to punctuation. In this detailed handout, the author explains 20 rules for comma usage, as well as the use of brackets, the colon, and the apostrophe.