1. Do NOT use second person (that's you, your)
2. Be certain to avoid cliche language in an essay (it indicates no original thought)
3. Do you need to ask questions in your essay? Shouldn't you simply answer them?
4. Beware of the use of contractions
5. Abbreviations and such should be avoided at all costs
6. Learn how to use a comma, semi-colon, and colon effectively and correctly
7. Leave out all unnecessary, filler words
8. There are, there is--AVOID
9. Passive voice
10. Indent
11. Word Choice--Diction
12. No comma before "because"
13. Never use "things"
14. Vary sentence structure
ReplyDelete15. Use formal language
16. Don't forget to cite your sources for research papers
17. Proofread before turning in your work
18. Support your idea clearly, know what you're talking about
ReplyDelete19. Know the difference between homonyms
20. Make sure you sound like yourself
21. Don't drag out one topic, don't repeat yourself to make the paper longer
22. Use the same tense throughout your paper (with verbs)
23. Make sure to spell out contractions and numbers.
ReplyDelete24. Never forget to indent the first line of a new paragraph
25. No quotation marks around or underline your own title.
26. Make sure your paper has a purpose; figure it out and stick to it
27. Use more of "Show, Don't Tell". Basically let your paper speak for itself.
28. Use proper format (MLA)
ReplyDelete29. Cite your sources
30. Be original
31. Don't use words like "very" and "a lot"
32. "is" and "was" are words that are helpful, but help your writing when they are not there
ReplyDelete33. Rewriting something is not a bad thing. You are not bound to the first idea you had.
34. You don't have to write on an electronic device to write well.
35. Edit as much as you need, but you'll probably never edit as much as you need.
36. Just calm down and write.
37. never worry about the length, just worry about making the point
ReplyDelete38. keep it concise
39. know your audience
40. only speak in first person if it is intentional (anecdote)
41. Follow specific directions
ReplyDelete42. Use rhetorical devices
43. Vary punctuation
44. State a clear thesis
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete45. Stay relative to the topic
ReplyDelete46. Don't procrastinate
47. Avoid writing as if it were how one would speak to a friend
48. Get plenty of sleep to avoid "half asleep" writing
49. Don't absolutely bore the reader.
50. Dont use words you don't know the meaning of.
ReplyDelete51. Have a good meal and be energized.
52. If your tired and bored when you write it will come across in your writing.
53. Get excited about the topic you are writing.