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WORD TRASH words, phrases and habits that
should not find their way into your formal
academic writing.
2
slang terms
Be careful! Even commonly usedwords such as
guy are too slangfor academic writing! (Its
man or character.)
3
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
slang terms
Its OK to use shorthandsymbols in your notes,
but edit them out of your draft! (You may use
symbols IF theyare included in a direct quote.)
4
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
slang terms
First person POV includesI, me, my, us, our, we,
etc. Its perfectly fine to use fora personal
essay or opinionwritingbut not OK in most
academic writing.
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
5
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
slang terms
Instead of first personpronouns, use something
likereaders or the reader. The reader can
see thatFitzgerald intended hisprotagonist to
appear
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
6
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
you(second person POV)
slang terms
This is a COMMONproblem. Make sure toedit this
out of your writing. When you pick up abook by
Fitzgerald,you notice
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
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symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
you(second person POV)
slang terms
Use something likethe reader or one to fix
it. When one picks upa book by Fitzgerald,one
notices
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
8
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
you(second person POV)
slang terms
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
This habit makes yourwriting sound immature. A
related problem The following quotewill show
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
9
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
you(second person POV)
slang terms
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
lame, weak commentary(In my opinionI think
that)
This habit makes yourwriting sound weak
itappears as if you arenot very confident.
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
10
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
email text jargon
you(second person POV)
slang terms
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
You might be shocked tosee how many
Englishstudents let this habit slip into their
academic papers! 2 ? to 4 ? for u ? you r
? are
lame, weak commentary(In my opinionI think
that)
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
11
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
email text jargon
you(second person POV)
slang terms
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
Use descriptors thatyouknowdescribe. Whatdo
you MEAN by good or bad?
lame, weak commentary(In my opinionI think
that)
vague descriptors(good bad etc.)
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
12
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
email text jargon
you(second person POV)
slang terms
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
Use a specific,precise, descriptive noun.
lame, weak commentary(In my opinionI think
that)
vague descriptors(good bad etc.)
things/ stuff
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
13
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
email text jargon
you(second person POV)
slang terms
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
Do not use big (or largeor huge) when you
really mean important, key,influential, or
main.
lame, weak commentary(In my opinionI think
that)
vague descriptors(good bad etc.)
things/ stuff
big
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
14
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
email text jargon
you(second person POV)
slang terms
Majorly isa slang use that hasbecome common
inspeech, but is not OK in formal writing.
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
lame, weak commentary(In my opinionI think
that)
vague descriptors(good bad etc.)
things/ stuff
big
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
majorly
15
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
email text jargon
you(second person POV)
slang terms
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
These are vague adverbs.Replace them with
moreprecise, descriptive words. very hungry
famished really tired exhausted very honest
candid
lame, weak commentary(In my opinionI think
that)
vague descriptors(good bad etc.)
things/ stuff
big
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
very / really
majorly
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symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
email text jargon
you(second person POV)
slang terms
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
Do not end a sentenceor list of items with etc.
or an ellipsis ().
etc.
lame, weak commentary(In my opinionI think
that)
vague descriptors(good bad etc.)
things/ stuff
big
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
very / really
majorly
17
symbols instead of words(ex or _at_)
email text jargon
you(second person POV)
slang terms
talking about the paper IN the paper(This essay
will show)
etc.
lame, weak commentary(In my opinionI think
that)
vague descriptors(good bad etc.)
things/ stuff
big
first person POV(unless its a personal essay)
very / really
majorly