When writing an essay remember:

                    Unless you are specifically asked about your personal experience, NEVER use “you, your, I, me, my, mine, us, we, our”

                    Don’t use “etc.”

                    Spell out numbers (“nine” not “9”)

                    Use your notes on essays

                    Don’t forget where the thesis goes (end of intro)

                    Use exclamation marks sparingly (almost never)

                    PROOFREAD

                    Use spell check

                    Stick to one tense, don’t switch between past and present

                    Don’t introduce your sentences, just get to it (“Now I will tell you why…”=bad)

                    Don’t summarize your paragraphs, just move on (“That is why…”=bad)

                    At the beginning of sentences, use “However” instead of “But”, and “Since” instead of “Because”

                    Does EVERY paragraph contain details? (This includes intro and conclusion)

                    NEVER say, “I know what you’re thinking.”  You don’t.

                    NEVER say “never, always, all, none” unless you know for a fact.

                    Do not use “Like” unless you are comparing something (“The sky is like a blanket.”) or expressing satisfaction for something (“Some people like cookies.”)

                    YOU ARE NOT TEXTING

                    They’re, there, their…did you use the right ones in the right places?

                    Your, you’re…did you use the right ones in the right places?