1. *FS (fused sentence) *FRAG (fragment) *CS (comma splice) UNCL (unclear wording or term) RED (redundant) (word order confusing) (incorrect word/grammar) AWK (awkward) PV (passive voice) SVAR (sentence variety needed) ^ (Insert character or word) Source or “SNC” (source not cited) *These are major errors and could lead to failing grade in style and cohesion (cut) (Capitalize/Lower case) *S-V (Subject-Verb error) # (Spacing issue) (transpose) MLA (MLA formatting problem) ( ) (close space or combine) Sp (Spelling problem) (Paragraph break) ] indent right [ un-indent left WC (wrong word choice) FSQ (Free standing quote)

2. Remember to use “A Hollow Shell” as an example strong literary analysis. Other types of essay models will be provided as we write them, but the page numbers for other models are on my web page, “Guide To Writing Models in Your Textbook”

3. Organize Single Paragraphs/Body Paragraphs Remember to use general to specific patterning in your paragraphs. Use this formula: TS/CD/CM/CS Topic Sentence: State your claim at the beginning. Concrete detail: Quotes or paraphrases Commentary: Connect details from text directly to theme, thesis, question at hand Closing sentence: Be sure not to make a general statement that seems to start a new topic; be sure the paragraph feels “finished” before moving on

4. Refer to “First Time Writing Rules” & “Essential Grammar”  Formal Style ▪ Avoids “I,” uses author’s last name, analytical points ▪ Uses ELA glossary terms/Language of literature  Critical thinking ▪ Mark out all is/being verbs ▪ Mark out “There is/There are” constructions ▪ Underline transitions words and check for correctness  Evidence ▪ Are there QUOTES? Are they followed by page numbers?  Mechanics & Revision ▪ Avoids sloppy errors like its/it’s, your/you’re ▪ Are all sentences readable and correctly punctuated?

5. Move Topic Sentences to the Top of Paragraphs WRONG: He dreams of a civilization that will one day be a society thriving with the latest knowledge and technological advances in the world. Marquez explains, “Solidarity with our dreams will not make us feel less alone, as long as it is not translated into concrete acts of legitimate support for all the peoples that assume the illusion of having a life of their own in the distribution of the world” (“The Solitude of Latin America”). The author is remarking on how the multiple obsessions of living can, ironically, overpower the reality that death is a part of life. As the leader of the civilization of Macondo, Jose Arcadio Buendia becomes obsessed with his power and authority. RIGHT: As the leader of the civilization of Macondo, Jose Arcadio Buendia becomes obsessed with his power and authority. He dreams of a civilization that will one day be a society thriving with the latest knowledge and technological advances in the world. Marquez explains, “Solidarity with our dreams will not make us feel less alone, as long as it is not translated into concrete acts of legitimate support for all the peoples that assume the illusion of having a life of their own in the distribution of the world” (“The Solitude of Latin America”). The author is remarking on how the multiple obsessions of living can, ironically, overpower the reality that death is a part of life. Visit my web page, “How to Write Paragraphs” and other related links!How to Write Paragraphs

6. Free standing quotes Wrong: The author insists she is right. “I am right” (Martin 2). Right: The author insists she is right when she writes, “I am right” (Martin 2).

7. Combine Sentences WRONG: Yeats wrote his poem in 1919. He named it “The Second Coming.” RIGHT: Yeats wrote his poem in 1919 and named it “The Second Coming.” MORE RIGHT: Yeats wrote “The Second Coming” in 1919.

8. Introducing Your Author and Work In FIRST Paragraphs or FIRST Lines Wrong First Line: In the poem “The Second Coming” the author writes... Right First Line: In W.B. Yeats’ “The Second Coming,” the author writes... Note: The quotes indicate it’s a poem. You DON’T have to call it a poem.

9. Cite Using Parentheses, Putting Punctuation to the RIGHT of Parentheses Books in Print must have author’s last name and page number: The author writes that all was “fine and dandy” (Howard 3). Poems and plays use line numbers: Yeats writes “Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer” (1-2), and this phrase has confused readers ever since. Online sources use last name of author; if not that, the name of article; if not that, name of web page: Nothing is certain except uncertainty, according to one famous philosopher (FamousAuthors.org).

10. Commas With Direct Quotes from the Text NOTE: UNLESS tagging dialogue (he said, she said,) you usually DON’T need commas when your quote are SIMPLE DIRECT OBJECTS or NECESSARY APPOSITIVES. RIGHT: The phrase “the widening gyre” uses a cyclonic image (1). WRONG: The phrase, “the widening gyre, ” uses a cyclonic image (1). RIGHT: It may be difficult to understand why Yeats wrote “the falcon cannot hear the falconer” (2). WRONG: It may be difficult to understand why Yeats wrote, “the falcon cannot hear the falconer” (2).

13. Singular & Plural Possessives add 's to the singular form of the word (even if it ends in -s): the owner's car James's hat (James' hat is also acceptable. For plural, proper nouns that are possessive, use an apostrophe after the 's': "The Eggleses' presentation was good." The Eggleses are a husband and wife consultant team.) add 's to the plural forms that do not end in -s: the children's game the geese's honking add ' to the end of plural nouns that end in -s: two cats' toys three friends' letters the countries' laws add 's to the end of compound words: my brother-in-law's money add 's to the last noun to show joint possession of an object: Todd and Anne's apartment

14. The Following Words Are Singular and Take SINGULAR VERBS (masculine or feminine based on context—if not sure must use “his or her”: One/Everyone Anyone/Anybody Everyone/Everybody Each Every Either/Neither

15. PASSIVE VOICE VERBS ARE MAKE YOUR WRITING SLOPPY, BAGGY, AND UNLIKEABLE: WRONG: In the poem that was written by W.B. Yeats the author has written... RIGHT: In Yeat’s poem... WRONG: The beast in the poem can be understood to be... RIGHT: The reader may interpret the beast as...

16. Avoid Using Quotes as Subjects. WRONG: “The falcon cannot hear the falconer” means that man’s control over nature is slipping (2). RIGHT: The phrase “The falcon cannot hear the falconer” implies that man’s control over nature is slipping (2).

17. Writers IMPLY, Readers Infer That’s it. What more do you need?

18. Don’t Call An Author’s Original Writing a “Quote” WRONG: In Yeats’s quote, “The falcon cannot hear the falconer,” nature is out of control. RIGHT: In line 2, “The falcon cannot hear the falconer,” nature is out of control. RIGHT: When Yeats quotes T.S. Eliot’s “The Hollow Men,” he includes Eliot’s famous last lines. Poems Read, Authors Write; But Poems and Author’s DON’T “SAY” The poem reads “the falcon cannot hear the falconer” (2). W.B. Yeats writes “the falcon cannot hear the falconer” (2).

19. SOME LAWS: “People” and “Things” don’t exist. Don’t use them. SPECFIC Names, locations, specific sizes and colors do exist. Use them. There is only room for ONE Is-Verb per paragraph. Change the rest to REAL verbs. Tone is usually more than one thing at once. An author’s tone may be serious, but is probably also hesitant. KNOW your list of tone words.

20. The pronoun “it” can turn into a roach clinging grossly to sentences where it doesn’t belong. Don’t use it like this: In Yeats’ poem IT says... The quote “the falcon cannot hear the falconer,” IT means... Passive verbs multiply the words in your sentence. Don’t use them: WRONG: In the poem written by W.B. Yeats the author writes... 10 words RIGHT: W.B. Yeats’ poem reads...4 words The phrase “There is” makes the rest of your sentence invisible. Don’t use it. The word “many” and “always” never fit in a sentence. Don’t use them.

21. Refer to “Parallel Structure” Handout  Variety of sentence lengths—short, medium, long.  Use of parallel organization strategies to include details and write convincingly: ▪ “First, Second”, “In line 1...In line 4.”  Points introduced using parallel introductory phrases: ▪ To the scholars,...To the critics,....To the common reader  Correct grammatical parallelism using correct commas: ▪ With “and”: wine, women, and song ▪ With nonessential phrases: Rudyard Kipling, an accidental racist, became famous for the phrase “White Man’s Burden”

22.  Refer to “Write Like a Boss” essential terms list. Check writing for:  Rhetorical questions, parallel structure, well-constructed lists, strong linking words  ACCURATE analytical points, word choice carefully selected to communicate ideas  Use of persuasive techniques: ▪ Argument techniques ▪ Strong description ▪ Strong physical description of dominant imagery  Use of original figurative language when describing poem

23. For complete list of DOs and DON’Ts: http://www.oncoursesystems.com/school/webpage/22171/1068100