Wagner's Web
A WORD TO THE WISE...
    Writing is more than putting words to paper; writing requires planning, drafting, and revision, as well as observance of rules and skills which make your writing clearer and stronger.  Below are links to resources which can help you improve your writing and/or polish your skills.
    If you have suggestions for sites to add, please let me know so I can update this page.

ACT Resources
ACT Writing Test Scores - Sample prompts and graded essays available.   
Active vs. Passive Voice
Active and Passive Verbs - A Purdue University site.
Active and Passive Voice -
Active Verbs vs. Passive Verbs - A Seton Hill University site.
The Choking Dog - An interactive quiz to test your knowledge of active and passive voice.
Legos and Active Voice - Watch the slide show of a lego man and learn about active voice!
Passive Voice - A quick overview of passive voice from About.com
Commas
*Please note* Call me old school, but I still believe a comma should be used to separate all items in a list.  Therefore, for assignments in my class, please use a comma between all items and do not omit the comma between the last two items in a series.  Example: I was bought milk, cookies, and apples.

Commas 101 - A basic site listing and explaining comma rules.
Comma Skills - Fact sheets, work sheets, and interactive quizzes from the BBC.
Comma Quiz - An interactive quiz to test your skills and your knowledge of comma rules.
Comma Quiz - An interactive quiz to test your usage skills.
Rules for Using Commas - A great quick reference site for proper comma usage.
Editing
Editing guidelines (currently not working)
Editors' spelling test (currently not working)
Interactive editing quiz
Why editing is so important! Video and PPT about the editing process
Proofreading marks
Proofreaders' hall of shame
General Grammar Resources (Sites to help with everything!)
11 Rules of Writing - A concise guide to important grammar, punctuation, and writing style rules.    
Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation - Quick definitions for everyday writing, including proper spacing and format for writing.
Common Errors in English - A huge list of the most common usage errors.
Elements of Style - William Strunk's great reference book for grammar and style. 
English Grammar Online - Basic grammar skills and reminders.
Glossary of Grammar Terms - A "what's what" of grammar, including examples, definitions, and "how to" refreshers. *Consider this your quick one-stop, fear-free grammar review site.
Grammar Bytes! - An interactive site of activities, quizzes, and handouts.
Grammar Girl - Free downloads of podcasts/MP3 files of quick tips for better writing.
Grammar Rocks - Yep, it's the nifty 1970s video we all love.  Check out the lyrics and learn something.
Grammar Sites - A page of links to helpful sites devoted to grammar and writing.
Grammar Test - Test yourself to find out how much you really know
Guide to Grammar and Writing - An interactive site with PowerPoints and quizzes, as well as activities and lessons devoted to reviewing and advancing skills for punctuation, grammar, and composition.
Parts of Speech - A review of all parts of speech, including definitions and practice exercises.
Punctuation Game! - From Lynn Truss, author of Eats, Shoots and Leaves
The Tongue Untied - A guide to grammar, punctuation, and style.  Many exercises are geared for journalists.
Parallel Structure
Parallel Structure - A Purdue University site.
Parallel Structure vs. Faulty Parallelism - A Seton Hill University site.
Research "How to"
How to refine internet searches to make your searches more effective
How to find credible sources
How to determine the difference between scholarly and popular sites
How to avoid 'read and regurgitate' style research - make information your own
Split Infinitives
Split Infinitives - A Seton Hill University site.
Typing Rules
Typing Rules - Check out the rules that may have changed since you learned to type.
Which vs. That
Which and That -
Word Choice
Word Ouch - words to never use in print (currently not working)
Writing Sources
Writing Topics - A source list of prompts to practice writing.