*The Dos and Don’ts!*

 Indentation  a space at the beginning of a written line or paragraph

 Rule 1. Use a colon to introduce a series of items. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it's a proper noun).  Rule 2. Avoid using a colon before a list when it directly follows a verb or preposition.  Rule 3. When listing items one by one, one per line, following a colon, capitalization and ending punctuation are optional when using single words or phrases preceded by letters, numbers, or bullet points.  Rule 4. A colon instead of a semicolon may be used between independent clauses when the second sentence explains, illustrates, paraphrases, or expands on the first sentence.  Rule 5. A colon may be used to introduce a long quotation.  Rule 6. Use a colon rather than a comma to follow the salutation in a business letter, even when addressing someone by his or her first name.

 Transitions are phrases or words used to connect one idea to the next  *See Handout

 *See link.  /commas.asp /commas.asp

 *See Link.  ry/styleguides/mlaintext.pdf ry/styleguides/mlaintext.pdf

 With the exception of page number citations, all numbers 1-99 should be written out  i.e. One, Two, Three,… Ninety-Nine

 Stay in the same tense in which you begin the piece.  For literature, it is customary to begin, remain, and finish in present tense.  i.e. am, goes, walks, says, comments, etc.  *See Link.  files/Verb%20Tense%20for%20Analysis%20of%2 0Literature%20and%20History.pdf files/Verb%20Tense%20for%20Analysis%20of%2 0Literature%20and%20History.pdf

 After you have given the author’s full name, preferably in the introduction paragraph/thesis statement, you may address the author by his/her last name.

 Anything that has become trite or commonplace through overuse.  *See Link.  of-cliches.html of-cliches.html

 Words that are overused.  i.e. very, said, because, that, etc…

Point of ViewList of PronounsTypical Writing Occasions 1st Person (Typically where students use their"Spoken Voice"; in most cases 1st person should be avoided)"Spoken Voice I, me, mine, myself, we, us, ours, ourselves -A Personal narrative -It can be appropriate in a formal academic essay ONLY WHEN giving a specific personal experience as a form of argumentative evidence 2nd Person (This is NEVER appropriate in the formal academic essay) You, yours, yourself, yourselves -A letter or -A written speech or public address -Directions (pamphlets, etc.) 3rd Person (Typically where students use their "Written Voice"; this IS appropriate)Written Voice he, she, it, him, her, his, hers, himself, herself, itself, they, them theirs, themselves -Formal academic writing, including: Argumentative, Summary/Response, Compare/Contrast, Expository Essays, Descriptive Narrative, Research

 Never begin a sentence with a conjunction.  Conjunctions are words that connect two sentences, long lists, etc.  And, but, or, neither, nor, etc…

 Write out the words!  No “text-speak”  & = and  Btw = by the way or between

 In formal, academic writing, NEVER use contractions:  i.e. I’m = I am OK = this is slang You’re = you are Can’t = cannot Etc.

 Very similar to cliché, but slang words or phrases are the “casual” ways we tend to say things.  i.e. OK Ain’t Etc.