6. Do not be repetitive. Do not use the same words over and over again. Vary your sentence structure and length. 7. Make sure you’re using the documentation style your teacher has assigned (MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style, etc.). Use it correctly. If that style specifies a certain format for the heading or pages, use it! 8. Avoid passive voice. 9. Do not use ten words when five will do the job. Do not use big, complicated words when simple words are enough. 10. PROOFREAD! Stupid mistakes show a lack of care and do not make a good impression on your grader.
The FATAL FLAW The items on the following list shall be known from now on as “fatal flaws.” These are mistakes that will make your paper DOA (dead on arrival). If you pass in a paper that contains one of the fatal flaws, your teacher may not read it. He or she may hand it back and you may be told to fix it. It will then be considered late. Keep this paper handy! All are basic proofreading errors. So…happy proofreading! FATAL FLAW 1: No mention of the full name of the text in the opening paragraph. FATAL FLAW 2: No mention of the author’s full name in the opening paragraph. FATAL FLAW 3: Misspellings of character names or proper names (of people or places) from the text. FATAL FLAW 4: Improper use of quotation marks or italics to denote the title of a text. Shorter works—like poems, stories, songs, articles—use quotation marks. Longer works—like anthologies, novels, albums, newspapers—use italics. Don’t use both italics and quotation marks, and don’t use bold font. If you have any questions, consult your teacher, Writer’s Inc., Write for College, or any other source on MLA format. FATAL FLAW 5: Improper citation of source material. If all quotes are from the same text, include just the page number in parentheses after the quotation. A passage would be cited and punctuated as follows: In the story “The Things They Carried,” the narrator recognizes that the characters “carried all they could bear, and then some” (7). Note: there is no “p.” before the page number. The period is at the end of the sentence, not inside the quote. If you are quoting more than one text, use the author’s name either somewhere in the sentence, or include it in the parenthesis before the page number (don’t put a comma after the author’s name in parenthesis). If you have any questions, consult your teacher, this guide, Writer’s Inc., Write for College, or any other source on MLA format. FATAL FLAW 6: Lack of capitalization of proper nouns. FATAL FLAW 7: Incorrect formatting (see “Formatting the Paper” on page 27).
source? Does the paper show mastery of basic conventions? contributes to clarity and style. Almost no editing is needed. meaning is clear. Some editing is needed, but not a lot. inconsistently correct though problems do not distort meaning. Moderate editing is needed. resulting in confusion. A great deal of editing is needed. incomprehensible. Extensive editing (on almost every line) is needed. Voice: Does the writing sound like the writer? Is it appropriate for the audience? Author seems interested in the topic. Tone and style are appropriately formal for audience and topic. Author seems invested in the topic. Tone and style are usually appropriate; some lapses. Author seems disinterested in the topic. Tone and style are not always appropriate for the audience or topic. Author seems bored; writing is flat. Tone and style are not appropriate to the audience or topic. Writing is flat and mechanical. Tone and style are inappropriately informal for audience or topic. Sentence Fluency: Can you feel the words and phrases flowing together as you read it out loud? Sentences flow smoothly. Sentences are well-built with varied structure and rhythm. Sentences flow. Sentences structure is correct and varied but feels mechanical in places. Sentences are technically correct but not varied or interesting. Sentence flow is awkward in places. Sentences vary little, with unchanging structure. Phrasing often sounds unnatural and awkward. Sentences are incorrectly structured—choppy, incomplete, rambling, or awkward. Word Choice: Is the vocabulary concise, precise, and interesting? Vocabulary conveys meaning in a concise, precise, and engaging way. Diction is natural but never overdone. Lively verbs energize, precise nouns/modifiers convey meaning clearly. Vocabulary conveys meaning with precision and clarity. Diction is appropriate and used correctly. Too many “be” verbs may weaken writing, make it boring. Vocabulary is functional but uninteresting. Occasional lack of precision in diction results in wordiness or an unclear message. “Be” verbs abound. Vocabulary is vague, imprecise, or incorrect, resulting in impaired meaning. Vocabulary is limited. Words are frequently incorrect, confusing reader. Advanced Proficient Developing Beginning Does not meet expectations