1. Pointers
Please copy “Pointers” into the “Writing Process” section of your notebook.

2. What Are Pointers?
Pointers are words or things that cannot be used in an essay, unless from a directly cited source. Each time one is used, one percent is deducted from the score on your essay.

3. Words 1 – 10 (of 25) 1. cute 2. nice 3. stuff 4. a lot 5. All slang
6. All contractions
7. Confusing their, there, they’re
8. should of (correct is should have)
9. would of (correct is would have)
10. could of (correct is could have)

4. Words 11 – 15 (of 25)
you (find another noun or pronoun as a substitute)
Starting a sentence with “because,” “and,” “but,” “nor,” and “so”
Using numbers instead of words for numbers under Exceptions: date and time.
14. o.k. or okay
15. etc. or etcetera

5. Items 16 - 25 (of 25) 16. Any abbreviation
17. Using “said” more than twice in an essay
18. Confusing two, too, and to
19. Confusing were, we’re, and where
Confusing your and you’re
21. Using a slash as punctuation
“In conclusion” “In closing” etc.
this shows
no matter
Using author’s or source’s first name