1. Writing Review

2. MLA Heading

3. MLA Heading
You will need to have your MLA heading on EVERYTHING you turn in.
If you turn something in without the MLA heading, points will be deducted.
Your MLA header belongs in the top left-hand corner of the paper.
Exception: the only time you do not need your MLA header is if the paper has a line for your name.
Name: ____________

4. Parts of the MLA Heading
There are 4 parts to the MLA heading:
Name
Teacher
Class
Date
The date for your heading should be written in the order of day, month, year
Write out the month, do not use a number
Do not use dashes or commas in the date

5. Example MLA Heading
John Smith Mrs. Worthen Period 5 18 August 2017

6. 3.8 Paragraphs

7. What is a 3.8 paragraph? A 3.8 paragraph is a paragraph that has…
8-10 Sentences
3 Main Points

8. What does that look like?
Topic Sentence
Point 1
Explain/Support
Point 2
Point 3
Conclusion Sentence
*This format gives the writer 8 sentences. However, the writer can use more than 1 sentence to explain each main point.

9. Writing Rules

10. Writing Rules
Throughout the year, you will hear me refer to writing rules anytime you are writing a paragraph or essay.
My writing rules include
No2Sentences
No Contractions
No 1st or 2nd Person Pronouns
Dead Words

11. No2Sentences
This rule means that no 2 sentences start with the same word in the same paragraph.
This rule is important because it helps you vary the words you use and stops your writing from sounding boring.
It is not interesting to read a paragraph where the sentences all start with the same word.
I like to play basketball. I like to go shopping. I like to watch movies.

12. No Contractions
This rule means that you do not use any contractions in your writing.
Contractions are when you combine 2 words into 1 using an apostrophe.
Cannot = can’t
Should not = shouldn’t
This rule is important because it helps your writing sound more formal, which is very important for testing and college.

13. No 1st or 2nd Person Pronouns
This rule means that you are not to use 1st or 2nd person pronouns in your writing.
The only exception to this rule is when you are writing about a personal experience.
I, me, mine, my, you, your, yours, we, us, our, ours
3rd person pronouns can be used.
He, she, they, them, it

14. Dead Words
Dead words are words that can easily be overused in a paper.
You will be allowed to have a certain number of dead words in large writing assignments.
You will usually not have to worry about dead words during smaller writing assignments.
Dead words include:
Thing
Stuff
Said
Very
In this paragraph/essay OR This paragraph/essay will discuss

15. How can you avoid dead words?
The best way to avoid using dead words is to substitute it with a more specific or higher-level word.
Examples:
The author says…
The author explains…
The boy is very excited.
The boy is ecstatic.