Basic Writing Tips…

(Courtesy of some either Ms. Goler, Mrs. Deaver, Ms. Murray, or Mrs. Bahk)

1. MLA Format: Double space EVERYTHING! Provide your heading at the top left, and then your last time in the header position with the page number after you name. See samples on my website. Citation is discussed below.

2. Clichés and Slang: Avoid both. In general, clichés are over-used terms, which are dull and unoriginal. Slang occasionally works in creative writing, but avoid it in formal writing. Examples of clichés: “busy as a bee,” “bury the hatchet,” “the early bird gets the worm.” Overall, any expression which you have heard repeatedly should be avoided. Similar to slang is the contraction—avoid them! Instead of didn’t, use did not; instead of couldn’t, use could not, etc.

3. Avoid Beginning or Ending on a quote: Beginning body paragraphs is a flawed strategy because you force your reader to wait for the reason for the quote. A better strategy is to begin a body paragraph with a topic sentence, using quotes later to support your ideas. Avoid ending on a quote (usually) because it weakens your point in the paragraph. Aim to always close your paragraph with a closing comment. Yes, there are exceptions, but in general, close your paragraph with your own brilliant words.

4. Fluid Quoting:

Poor Quoting:

Gatsby finally realizes what it is that attracts him to Daisy. “Her voice is full of money” (126). There is no transition from the commentary sentence to the quote.

Good Quoting:

When Gatsby realizes what it is that attracts him to Daisy, he tells Nick, “Her voice is full of money” (126). Or a better strategy is to weave: When Gatsby tells Nick, “Her voice is full of money” (126), Fitzgerald reveals the superficial quality of Daisy. Attempt to weave your quote into your commentary sentence.

5. Commentary: If your quote only demands 1 or two sentences of commentary and this is the entirety of your paragraph, you have not done your job. Several short quotes and 2-4 commentary sentences for each quote is a good average to consider for body paragraphs.

6. Conclusions: Avoid simply summarizing everything you have just covered in your paper. A good way to conclude is to comment on the importance of the theme. You might make connections between the theme during the time the novel was written and the present. Simply re-stating is not enough. Consider also beginning with a modern connection hook, and return to this idea in your conclusion.

7. Transitions: Transitions are needed at the beginning of paragraphs 3-5, in between commentary ideas, and before quotes. See the great list of transitions on the back of this page. Example:

In addition to his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, we see further evidence of Gatsby’s corruption of the American Dream in his association with the Mafia.

8. Citation: Cite your quotes correctly: for prose, include the page number: (5). For poetry, include the line number. For plays, include the act/scene/line number: (III.iv.3-5). If you include more than one author in your essay, place the author before the page number: (Bradbury 7).

9. Power Verbs! Avoid repetition and flat verbs. Flat verbs include the following: to be (is/are), shows, uses, says, and has. Better verbs include:

·  comments/states

·  asserts / alludes/advocates/suggests/advances (the theme…)

·  represents/ embodies/signifies

·  emphasizes / implements

·  enhances/delineates

·  reflects / reveals/ resembles

·  contributes / creates

·  illustrates / depicts/accomplishes/conveys

·  foreshadows/intimates

·  contrasts / distinguishes

·  marks (the beginning of…)

·  implies (know the difference between imply and infer)

·  exemplifies/employs

·  permeates (=spread throughout)