Essay Writing Tips

1.  Each time you write a new essay, follow these steps to save your new essay correctly.

• Open the template document below
• Click File
• Click Save As
• Enter the name of the new essay (Will be given in class with)
• Save to your computer or flash drive or Google drive

2.  Include an introduction, body, and conclusion.  Most essays at this level are 5 to 6 paragraphs. 

3.  Avoid clichés in your writing.  Use this link to avoid clichés in your writing.  Click here for examples. 

4. Comma Splices / Fused Sentences / Fragments –  Please be sure you review these and correct them in your papers. 

     Each essay will have the deduction listed on the grading rubric.

• Fragment – Click here for examples and corrections.
• Fused – Click here for examples and corrections. 
• Comma Splice – Click here for examples and corrections.

5.  Sentence Variety – Essays should be written using mostly compound, complex, and compound/complex structures.  There should be very few simple sentences. 

Click here for examples. 

6.  Do not use contractions.

7.  Do not use second-person pronouns.  (You or Your)

8.  REVISE, REVISE, REVISE!  The first draft is NEVER the final draft!

Use this link for a video on how to set up an MLA template on Google Docs.