Things to avoid when writing a formal essay

1
Things to avoid when writing a formal essay

• Or
• How not to destroy your grade

2
Know how to use an apostrophe

• Avoid using dont, wont, shouldnt. . .
• Use two words- can not, should not. . .
• An apostrophe is youre friend, I mean your
  friend (see the difference)
• Check possessives, possessive plurals and regular
  plurals.

3
Avoid using first person

• Do not introduce yourself.
• Do not tell me what you are going to do, just
  do it! (My paper is going to discuss. . . BAD!
  YUCKY! NO GOOD!)
• Think Nike commercials- Just do it!!
• Be assertive- Do not use phrases like I hope you
  can see. .. Or as you can see- You dont know
  what I can see!!!!

4
Miscellaneous Items

• Book titles should be italicized not underlined,
  please.
• When using quotes within a quote- use a single
  quotation mark - You would have saved those
  kids if you had been there, I said. Youd have
  saved them as we did (p. 103).

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Miscellaneous Items Part 2

• Another example of this-
• Dont introduce a quote with Bob says to Ponyboy
  before the rumble
• Very Important
• BE SURE TO EXPLAIN AND ANALYZE ANY QUOTE YOU
  USE!!!!!!!!!!
• Always be sure to connect with thesis!