1. Rules of Writing Write in present tense Write in present tense Avoid the to be verbs: am, is, are, was, were, has, have, had, be, been. Avoid the to be verbs: am, is, are, was, were, has, have, had, be, been. HINT: Change the sentence around-move the end to the beginning. HINT: Change the sentence around-move the end to the beginning. The ball was thrown by the pitcher (passive voice). The ball was thrown by the pitcher (passive voice). Change to: The pitcher throws the ball. Change to: The pitcher throws the ball. Cannot use us, we, you, our, me, my, I Cannot use us, we, you, our, me, my, I Last sentence of conclusion can use we, our, or us Last sentence of conclusion can use we, our, or us

2. A quote can have any violation of the rules of writing. A quote can have any violation of the rules of writing. Only fix a quote to maintain the integrity of your sentence Only fix a quote to maintain the integrity of your sentence change a pronoun to a proper noun change a pronoun to a proper noun change tense-past to present change tense-past to present add a word to clarify the quote-Put the change in brackets [ ] add a word to clarify the quote-Put the change in brackets [ ] Use the ellipses … ONLY when removing part of a sentence from the middle of the quote. Use the ellipses … ONLY when removing part of a sentence from the middle of the quote. Quote MUST begin or end with the writers own words Quote MUST begin or end with the writers own words Quote needs MLA citation (Author’s Last Name Page #) Quote needs MLA citation (Author’s Last Name Page #) No comma between name and page number. No comma between name and page number. PERIOD GOES AFTER PARENTHESIS PERIOD GOES AFTER PARENTHESIS No matter where quote appears in sentence, citation ALWAYS goes at the end of the sentence right before the period. No matter where quote appears in sentence, citation ALWAYS goes at the end of the sentence right before the period. Do not use contractions (don’t, etc.) Do not use contractions (don’t, etc.) ●

3. Check to make sure that there is adequate analysis between quotes. Remember that 2 quotes cannot be together. There must be analysis between them. Check to make sure that there is adequate analysis between quotes. Remember that 2 quotes cannot be together. There must be analysis between them. Spelling error, including wrong form of a word = 1 letter grade deduction. Spelling error, including wrong form of a word = 1 letter grade deduction. Too= also, in addition. Too much, too late their- shows possession (their backpacks) whether- whether or not Cannot begin a sentence with So Cannot begin a sentence with So Alot is not a word, a lot refers to a parcel of land – find a synonym Alot is not a word, a lot refers to a parcel of land – find a synonym

4. You cannot repeat a key word or phrase in a sentence nor in a paragraph You cannot repeat a key word or phrase in a sentence nor in a paragraph Names of characters can not be used more than 3-5 times in a paragraph-this does not include those used within a quote Names of characters can not be used more than 3-5 times in a paragraph-this does not include those used within a quote Do not use the word things Do not use the word things Never use phrases like…the author, this quote, in conclusion, I think that, I believe, in my opinion, the writer or the reader. Do not use the author’s name, except when introducing the novel. Never use phrases like…the author, this quote, in conclusion, I think that, I believe, in my opinion, the writer or the reader. Do not use the author’s name, except when introducing the novel. Rephrase weak adjectives (nice, fun, happy, etc.) Rephrase weak adjectives (nice, fun, happy, etc.)

5. Highlight the first 4 words of every sentence. Highlight the first 4 words of every sentence. No sentence can begin the same way in a paragraph No sentence can begin the same way in a paragraph Check the topic sentence of each paragraph, they should not begin the same as any other paragraph. Check the topic sentence of each paragraph, they should not begin the same as any other paragraph. Read only the topic and concluding sentences of EVERY paragraph. They should make a connection and develop a progression from beginning to middle to end. If the sentences sound repetitive or do not make sense in the order they are written, make a note of it. Read only the topic and concluding sentences of EVERY paragraph. They should make a connection and develop a progression from beginning to middle to end. If the sentences sound repetitive or do not make sense in the order they are written, make a note of it.