1. Areas of Concern The Scarlet Letter Essay

2. Housekeeping No extra space is needed between paragraphs The Scarlet Letter Academic POV - 3 rd person

3. Essay format -Thesis statement must be in your introduction. Should be one clear sentence -Paragraphs begin with topic sentences and end with closing sentences. -Topic sentences are your big reasons that support your thesis -Closing sentences close up your argument and reiterate your connection to your thesis -Conclusion paragraph is needed

4. Citations Citation goes at the end of the sentence (Source B). “If there is a quote, do it like this” (Source B). Are you asking a question? (Source B). Even if there is a “quote in the middle,” the citation still comes at the end (Source B).

5. Avoid “I” statements The main reason I feel so strongly about this law is because of sex offenders. Sex offenders alone make this law valid. I feel that all time and effort spent on trying to inform people of a convict’s crime could be better used in another area. All time and effort spent on trying to inform people of a convict’s crime could be better used in another area.

6. Diction Strengthen your point! People should be punished when they commit crimes that are punishable by the scarlet letter laws. They should not be out in the community among the rest of us. Violent criminals should be punished to the fullest extent of the law when they commit heinous crimes punishable by the Scarlet Letter laws. These perpetrators of justice should not be allowed to walk among the innocent.

7. Do not being a paragraph with a quote. If you are taking the direct words, or using words very close to what the author of the article used, quote him/her If you can summarize the author’s words, don’t use a quote. If you want to borrow one word, do so. But quote it. Whether it be rape or murder, these are different from minor crimes because they are “intensely and peculiarly personal” (Source C). Explain or introduce quotes. NEVER just drop them in your paper.

8. Other items to avoid I’m going to tell you about… As I’ve said… In conclusion, The reason I say this is because… This connects to what I mentioned before…

9. Pronouns The average person only wants their family to feel safe. Criminals who are let out keep this from happening. They are a threat to people. They run the risk of reoffending and making them feel unsafe. Watch out for overuse of they, they’re, their, them, this, that– it becomes tiresome and vague. Be specific!

10. Pay attention to agreement If a person made poor choices early in life, but over time rehabilitated themselves, they are not a threat to society. No one in their right mind would stand up for the man that sexually assaulted this young girl. If an ex-convict sets a goal to change their lives and become a better person, sooner or later, they will accomplish that goal.