SCHRAGE’S
WRITING
TOOLS
PACKET
(Rev 2012)
2
Table of Contents:
Basic Rules……………………………………………...pg 3
Definition of a Paper and Thesis Statements……………pg 4
Outlines:
Basic……………………………………….............pg 5
Research…………………………………………...pg 6
Literary Analysis…………………………………..pg 7
Using Quotations……………………………………….pg 8
Citing Your Works……………………………………..pg 9
*Example MLA Bibliography/Works Cited Page...pg 14
MLA Guide…………………………………………….pg 10-14
*Example MLA Bibliography/Works Cited Page...pg 14
Peer Editing…………………………………………….pg 15-16
*Peer Editing Works Cited………………………...pg 16
Self Editing………………………………………..........pg 17
Transitions……………………………………………....pg 18
*The biggest lesson you can learn from this packet it to understand how to
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. These are my writing rules for my classroomother teachers may have rules that differ from me- LEARN how to follow
directions, ask questions and look at feedback from your teachers to be
successful in their classrooms.
3
TWELVE Basic Rules to Writing a FORMAL Paper/Essay
1. NEVER state what you are writing about or what the paper will be about.
*In this essay…, This paragraph will be…, etc.
2. NEVER use vague language or “baby” language.
*stuff, things, etc.
3. NEVER use contractions, symbols, or texting language.
*can’t, don’t, isn’t, won’t, @, &, b4, 4ever, bff, etc.
4. NEVER use personal pronouns.
*I, we, me, my, mine, myself, us, our, ourselves, ours, you, your, yours, etc.
5. NEVER begin a sentence with a conjunction.
*for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, etc.
6. ALWAYS write out all numbers one hundred and below.
7. ALWAYS vary your sentence wording and structure.
8. ALWAYS write in the SAME tense through-out the ENTIRE paper and
literature is ALWAYS written about in present tense.
9. Make sure that EVERY paragraph has between FOUR to TEN sentences.
10.
Make sure that if quotes are used, they are always
explained and cited correctly.
11.
Never begin a sentence with there or there are.
12.
Never end a sentence with a preposition.
*about, above, after, before, below, down, etc
4
Basic Explanation of an Essay
FIRST paragraph- grabs reader’s attention, directs the reader to the three main supporting subtopics, and
introduces the reader to the thesis of the essay
 Introduces topic (grabs reader’s attention)
 States the subtopics (found in middle paragraphs)
 States thesis- tells the reader what the essay will be about, and what point you, the author, will be
making.
MIDDLE paragraphs- They individually restate the subtopics, and are developed by giving supporting
information.
 Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence
 The topic sentences are one of the subpoints made in the introduction
 The subtopic of each of the body paragraphs is again supported by three or more supporting sentences.
(For example, For instance, This is the “meat” of your essay)
 Each paragraph ends with a transitional sentence that brings the reader to the next subpoint
LAST paragraph- restates the main thesis idea and reminds the reader of the three main supporting ideas that
were developed
 Restates the thesis
 Summarizes the three supporting ideas in an original and powerful manner
 Makes a final strong point.
Your thesis statement will have two parts.


The first part states the topic.
o Kenya's Culture
o Building a Model Train Set
o Public Transportation
The second part states the point of the essay.
o has a rich and varied history
o takes time and patience
o can solve some of our city's most persistent and pressing problems
Formula for writing the thesis:
1. State the topic: __________________________________________________
2. State the point/goal of the essay: ____________________________________
Examples:
Kenya's culture has a rich and varied history.
Building a model train set takes time and patience.
Public transportation can solve some of our city's most persistent and pressing problems.
5
Basic FIVE PARAGRAPH Paper/Essay Outline
I. Intro (one paragraph)
A. Attention Getter- quote, startling statistic, question, anecdote (story)
B. Brief synopsis/overview of each main point1.
2.
3.
C. Thesis- Sentence that sums up ENTIRE PAPER
II. Body (three paragraphs-each main point is its own paragraph)
A. Main Point 1 Heading
1. Topic sentence- Sums up ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
a. supporting info
b. supporting info
c. supporting info (minimum amount of supporting info needed)
d. supporting info
e. supporting info
f. supporting info
g. supporting info
h. supporting info (maximum amount of supporting info)
2. Transition sentence- tie main point 1 to main point 2 (use transition words/phrases)
B. Main Point 2 Heading
1. Topic sentence- Sums up ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
a. supporting info
b. supporting info
c. supporting info (minimum amount of supporting info needed)
d. supporting info
e. supporting info
f. supporting info
g. supporting info
h. supporting info (maximum amount of supporting info)
2. Transition sentence- tie main point 2 to main point 3 (use transition words/phrases)
C. Main Point 3 Heading
1. Topic sentence- Sums up ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
a. supporting info
b. supporting info
c. supporting info (minimum amount of supporting info needed)
d. supporting info
e. supporting info
f. supporting info
g. supporting info
h. supporting info (maximum amount of supporting info)
2. Transition sentence- tie main point 3 to restated thesis (use transition words/phrases)
III. Conclusion (one paragraph)
A. Restated thesis- Rewrite original thesis into DIFFERENT words
B. Main Points summarized
1.
2.
3.
C. Final strong ending sentence
6
Research Paper Outline
I. Intro paragraph
A. Attention Getter- quote, startling statistic, question, anecdote (story)
B. Main points highlighted- (minimum of 3, NO maximum)
1.
2.
3.
C. Thesis- Sentence that sums up ENTIRE PAPER, ALL main points MUST be included with the subject
II. Body (ONE paragraph = 4-10 sentences)
A. Main point /subject/idea 1 Heading
1. Topic sentence- Sums up ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
a. info with internal citation
b. info with internal citation
c. info with internal citation (MINIMUM info required)
d. info with internal citation
e. info with internal citation
f. info with internal citation
g. info with internal citation
h. Info with internal citation(MAXIMUM info allowed)
2. Transition sentence- tie main point/subject/idea 1 to main point/subject/idea 2
B. Main point /subject/idea 2 Heading
1. Topic sentence- Sums up ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
a. info with internal citation
b. info with internal citation
c. info with internal citation (MINIMUM info required)
d. info with internal citation
e. info with internal citation
f. info with internal citation
g. info with internal citation
h. Info with internal citation(MAXIMUM info allowed)
2. Transition sentence- tie main point/subject/idea 2 to main point/subject/idea 3
C. Main point /subject/idea 3 Heading
1. Topic sentence- Sums up ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
a. info with internal citation
b. info with internal citation
c. info with internal citation (MINIMUM info required)
d. info with internal citation
e. info with internal citation
f. info with internal citation
g. info with internal citation
h. Info with internal citation(MAXIMUM info allowed)
2. Transition sentence- tie main point/subject/idea 3 to main point/subject/idea 4 (if applicable)
D. Main point /subject/idea 4 Heading, etc
III. Conclusion paragraph
A. Restated thesis- Rewrite original thesis into DIFFERENT words
B. Main Points summarized again (reworded)
1.
2.
3.
C. Strong final sentence
IV. Works Cited/Bibliography Page (see MLA handout for format) REQUIRED FOR ANY POINTS!!!
7
Analysis Paper Outline
Remember, when you analyze a book, you MUST write in PRESENT TENSE!!
You must also write in FORMAL language
(no personal pronouns, this paper, this paragraph, So and so believes this, etc.!)
See back for how to cite quotations in a paper!
Contemplate on what you want to try to prove about the story and state your opinion in a way
that it sounds like a fact and use a quotation from the book or another source to validate your
“factual” opinion. Take a stand and prove it!
I. Intro
A. Attention GetterB. Main points highlighted- (MINIMUM of 3)
1.
2.
3.
C. Thesis- Sentence that sums up ENTIRE PAPER
II. Body
A. Main Point 1
1. Topic sentence- Sums up ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
a. info, “supporting quote” (pg # or author’s last name, if it is not from the book).
b. info, “supporting quote” (pg # or author’s last name, if it is not from the book).
c. etc, etc (if needed)
2. Transition to next main point
*tie in the info from main point 1 and tie to main point 2 in 1 sentence
B. Main Point 2
1. Topic sentence- Sums up ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
a. info, “supporting quote” (pg # or author’s last name, if it is not from the book).
b. info, “supporting quote” (pg # or author’s last name, if it is not from the book).
c. etc, etc (if needed)
2. Transition to next main point
*tie in the info from main point 2 and tie to main point 3 in 1 sentence
C. Main Point 3
1. Topic sentence- Sums up ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
a. info, “supporting quote” (pg # or author’s last name, if it is not from the book).
b. info, “supporting quote” (pg # or author’s last name, if it is not from the book).
c. etc, etc (if needed)
2. Transition to conclusion
*tie in the info from main point 3 and tie to the conclusion in 1 sentence
III. Conclusion
A. Restated thesis- Rewrite original thesis into DIFFERENT words
B. Main Points summarized
1.
2.
3.
C. Final strong sentence
IV. Works Cited/Bibliography Page (see MLA handout for format)
-Use the book and any other resource that you used to analyze
8
How to Cite DIRECT Quotes in a Paper
*Your quotes should ALWAYS be explained and be relevant to your subject.*
*They should always be used to SUPPORT your subject.*
*You need to cite your quotes based upon how many TYPED lines the quote is.*
UNDER four typed lines:
-Supporting info, “quotation” (source/pg #).
Ex. Hamlet questions the concept of life in one of his soliloquies, “To be or not to be, that is the question”
(Hamlet 3.1.57-58).
OR
-Supporting info, “quotation,” finish supporting info (source/pg #).
Ex. Hamlet questions the concept of life, “To be or not to be, that is the question,” in one of his soliloquies
(Hamlet 3.1.57-58).
OVER four typed lines:
-Supporting info:
<10 spaces>Quotation. (source/pg #)
Ex. Hamlet questions the concept of life:
To be or not to be, that is the question:/Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer/The slings
and arrows of outrageous fortune,/Or to take arms against a sea of troubles/And by
opposing end them? To die, to sleep-/No more-and by sleep to say we end/The heartache
and the thousand natural shocks/That flesh is heir to. ‘Tis consummation/Devoutly to be
wished. To die, to sleep;/To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub. (Hamlet
3.1.57-65)
*When using a piece of verse, use the backslash (/) to show where the line ends
and capitalize the first word of the next line, as shown in the above example.
9
Citing Your Resources a.k.a. Internal Citations
*Used when you are paraphrasing/summarizing information from a source.*
*See the EXAMPLE Bibliography/Works Cited Page for more information.*
*You should ALWAYS finish a paragraph with your source (even if the information from that source is
continued in the next paragraph). Put the internal citation in BEFORE the transition sentence.
Generic Example:
Topic Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting
Sentence (source). Transition Sentence.
Topic Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting
Sentence (source). Transition Sentence.
*If you have more than one piece of information from a source in a row, put the internal citation AFTER all the
information is used from that source.
Generic Example:
Topic Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting
Sentence (source 1). Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence (source 2). Transition Sentence.
*If you are using multiple sources within ONE paragraph, make sure you are internally citing after EACH
source is used.
Generic Example:
Topic Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence (source 1). Supporting Sentence.
Supporting Sentence (source 2). Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence. Supporting Sentence
(source 3). Supporting Sentence (source 1).Transition Sentence.
10
Basic MLA Bibliography/Works Cited Formats
FORMAT TIPS:
-Last page of a report
-Follow PUNCTUATION and CAPITALIZATION provided in examples.
-INDENT on all, BUT the first line of each entry (opposite of a paragraph)
- DOUBLE SPACE lines within and between all entries.
-ALPHABETIZE entries by author; if no author is given, begin with title.
*Always use the FIRST word of entry
-Put DATES in DAY MONTH YEAR format!!
Book, One Author (book source)
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Where it was printed: Who printed it,
Copyright date.
EXAMPLE
Kaku, Michio. Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey through Parallel Universes, Time Warps and the Enth Dimension.
New York: Oxford UP, 1994.
Book, Two or Three Authors (book source)
(First Author) Author’s Last Name, First Name, (Second Author) First Name Last Name,
(Third Author) First Name Last Name. Title of the Book. Where it was printed: Who
printed it, Copyright date.
EXAMPLE
Maddock, Richard C. , and Richard L. Fulton. Marketing to the Mind: Right Brain Strategies for Advertising and Marketing.
Westport, CT: Quorum, 1996.
Book, MORE than Three Authors (book source)
(First Author) Last Name, First Name, et al. Title of the Book. Where it was printed: Who
printed it, Copyright date.
EXAMPLE
Gilman, Sandra, et al. Hysteria Beyond Freud. Berkeley: U of California P, 1993.
Book with an Editor (book source)
Editor’s Last Name, First Name, ed. Title of the Book. Where it was printed: Who
printed it, Copyright date.
EXAMPLE
Logate, Philip, ed. The Art of the Personal Essay: an Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present. New York:
Anchor-Doubleday, 1994.
11
Book with an Author AND an Editor (book source)
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Ed. Editor’s First Name Editor’s Last
Name. Where it was printed: Who printed it, Copyright date.
EXAMPLE
Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Ed. F. W. Robinson. Boston: Houghton, 1957.
Book, Corporate Author [textbooks (book source)]
Name of Corporate Author. Title of the Book. Where it was printed: Who
printed it, Copyright date.
EXAMPLE
Public Agenda Foundation. The Health Care Crisis: Containing Costs, Expanding Coverage. New York: McGraw, 1992.
Book, A Work in an Anthology, Reference, or Collection (book source)
Author’s Last name, Author’s First name. "Title of Essay." Title of Collection. Ed. Editor's Name(s).
Place of Publication: Publisher, Year. Pages Used.
EXAMPLE
Harris, Muriel. "Talk to Me: Engaging Reluctant Writers." A Tutor's Guide: Helping Writers One to
One. Ed. Ben Rafoth. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2000. 24-34.
Websites (Internet Source)
*Web Sites should have the author (if given-usually at the top or bottom), title in italics, date of
publication or update (if given-usually at the top or bottom), institution/organization (if givenusually at the top or bottom), date of access (the day YOU used it).
*Use the information that you CAN find and put it into its proper place.
*If it does NOT have an author, then begin your entry with the Title of the Article.
*ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENTS......Title, Date of access!
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Article. Date of Publication/Posting of article OR Most
Recent Update done on article in Day Month Year format. Name of institution/organization
affiliated with the site (sometimes found in copyright statements). Date YOU looked at the
article in Day Month Year format.
EXAMPLE
Dawe, James. The Jane Austen Page. 27 Oct. 1999. 15 Jan 2004.
12
Databases (database source)
Author OR Editors Last Name, Author OR Editor’s First Name. “Name of the title.” Name of
the journal/book/etc with any version numbers available: page numbers, if available. Date of
version/revision/posting. Publisher, where published. Date you accessed the material in Day
Month Year format.
EXAMPLE
Grabe, Mark. "Voluntary Use of Online Lecture Notes: Correlates of Note Use and Note Use as an Alternative to Class
Attendance." Computers and Education 44 (2005): 409-21. ScienceDirect. Purdue U Lib., West Lafayette, IN.
28 May 2006.
Encyclopedia Article (other source)
-Author of the Article, NOT the Encyclopedia (usually at the very END of the Article, if given)
-IF there is NOT an author, begin with the title!
-If your article title is a person, the title should be the person last name, first name
Article
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Name of the Encyclopedia. Year ed.
EXAMPLE
Gates, David M. "Astronomy." Encyclopedia Americana. 1996 ed.
Magazine Article (other source)
Article
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Magazine Title Day Month Year: pages
used.
EXAMPLE
Simons, John. "Improbable Dreams." U. S. News and World Report 22 Mar. 1997: 4-7.
Newspaper Article (other source)
Newspaper Article
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper Day Month Year,
which edition (if given): pages used.
EXAMPLE
Feder, Barnaby J. "For Job Seekers, a Toll-Free Gift of Expert Advice." New York Times 22 Mar. 1994, late ed.: A1+.
13
Film, Radio, Television (other source)
-Use what you can find and put it into its proper place.
Title of the show. Director. Main Actors. Producer. Production Company/Station, date in
Day Month Year format.
EXAMPLE
The Last Emperor. Dir. Bernardo Bertolucci. With John Lone and Peter O’Toole. Columbia,
1987.
Interview (other source)
Interviewee’s Last Name, First Name. How interviewed (person, telephone, email, etc.).
Date interviewed in Day Month Year format.
EXAMPLE
Schrage, Nicole. Personal Interview. 17 Oct 2003.
14
EXAMPLE Bibliography OR Works Cited Page
Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Ed. F. W. Robinson. Boston:
Houghton, 1957.
Feder, Barnaby J. "For Job Seekers, a Toll-Free Gift of Expert Advice." New York Times
22 Mar. 1994, late ed.: A1+.
Gates, David M. "Astronomy." Encyclopedia Americana. 1996 ed.
Grabe, Mark. "Voluntary Use of Online Lecture Notes: Correlates of Note Use and Note Use as an
Alternative to Class Attendance." Computers and Education 44 (2005): 409-21. ScienceDirect.
Purdue U Lib., West Lafayette, IN. 28 May 2006.
Gilman, Sandra, et al. Hysteria Beyond Freud. Berkeley: U of California P, 1993.
Harris, Muriel. "Talk to Me: Engaging Reluctant Writers." A Tutor's Guide: Helping Writers One to
One. Ed. Ben Rafoth. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2000. 24-34.
The Jane Austen Page. 27 Oct. 1999. 15 Jan 2004
Kaku, Michio. Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey through Parallel Universes, Time Warps
and the Enth Dimension. New York: Oxford UP, 1994.
Logate, Philip, ed. The Art of the Personal Essay: an Anthology from the Classical Era to
the Present. New York: Anchor-Doubleday, 1994.
Maddock, Richard C. , and Richard L. Fulton. Marketing to the Mind: Right Brain Strategies
for Advertising and Marketing. Westport, CT: Quorum, 1996.
Public Agenda Foundation. The Health Care Crisis: Containing Costs, Expanding
Coverage. New York: McGraw, 1992.
Schrage, Nicole. Personal Interview. 17 Oct 2003.
Simons, John. "Improbable Dreams." U. S. News and World Report 22 Mar. 1997: 4-7.
The Last Emperor. Dir. Bernardo Bertolucci. With John Lone and Peter O’Toole. Columbia,
1987.
The BOLDED words are what you would use for INTERNAL CITATIONS IN YOUR PAPER, which
then makes this page a Works Cited page, NOT a Bibliography Page- that’s the ONLY difference.
*You do NOT bold these on your Bibliography/Works Cited page OR in your paper, they are
BOLDED AS AN EXAMPLE to show you what you would use!
15
Peer Editing Paper/Essay
Introduction paragraph and Thesis statement:
1. Is the first sentence of the paper the attention getter?
2. Did the writer get your attention?
3. Underline the main points in the first paragraph. Are there main points?
4. Do you have an idea of the essay’s main ideas and do you want to keep reading?
5. Circle the thesis.
6. Is the thesis the last sentence of the introduction?
7. Find the last paragraph of the paper, which is called the conclusion paragraph.
8. Is the first sentence in the conclusion the restated/reworded thesis? Circle the restated thesis.
Body paragraphs:
1. Find the main points in the introduction paragraph.
2. Does EACH main point have it’s own paragraph in the body?
3. Underline the topic sentence in EACH paragraph of the body.
4. Does the information in EACH paragraph of the body explain the topic sentences?
5. CROSS OUT the invalid information.
Read the entire paper and cross out any information in the essay that does NOT fit with the
main points and thesis, if any.
6. Are the main points logically organized?
7. Does the END of EACH body paragraph have a transition sentence that leads the reader to the
next paragraph’s topic?
Conclusion paragraph:
1. Is the thesis restated first (you looked for this earlier)?
2. Underline the main points. Are there main points?
3. Is there a strong final sentence?
4. Is there any NEW information that is discussed? If so, CROSS IT OUT!
5. Does this last paragraph “wrap up” the paper?
Organized/Format/Mechanics-spelling and grammar:
1. Is the paper in the correct format? (Intro, body paragraphs, conclusion)
2. Is EACH paragraph indented?
3. Are there 4-10 sentences in EACH paragraph?
4. Are the sentences and word choices varied? Is there a lot of repetition of words?
5. Do the sentences and paragraphs ideas flow together? How well does the paper read?
6. At any point in the paper, do you feel lost or confused?
7. Check for spelling errors and CIRCLE them.
8. Check for correct punctuation and CIRCLE the errors.
9. Check for capitalization errors and CIRCLE the errors.
10. Check for improperly worded sentences and CIRCLE the sentences.
Do all the sentences make sense?
16
Peer Editing Citations/Works Cited Page
Cited Works IN PAPER (need highlighter)
1. Did the writer use the first word from their works cited page for their citation IN their paper?
Go through and highlight the first word on EACH of their citations ON their works cited
page. ALL WEBSITE MUST HAVE a title and date of access!!!
Examples (bolded for example, should NOT be bolded in paper):
Bartlett, Sarah. The World of Myths & Mythology. London: Blandford, 1998.
Currin, Nathan. Historical Arthur. 2001. 6 Nov 2004
Excalibur. Dir. John Boorman. With Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, and Nicol WIlliamson. Prod John
Boorman, 1981.
Round Table. 6 Nov 2004
2. Highlight each citation IN the paper (internal citations).
3. Is each citation IN THE PAPER done correctly and have a page number (if applicable)?
Ex-Igraine and Uther Pendragon are the mother and father of Arthur in most stories (Currin).
Ex-In the movie, Excalibur, Morgana, who takes the place of Vivien, encases Merlin in a block of
ice.
Ex-According to Bartlett, Merlin’s lust for attractive women causes him trouble (245).
4. IF the citation IN THE PAPER is a title, is it in italics?
Ex-If is said that if there were 12 knights, that the table would be 12 feet around (Round Table).
5. Did the author use EACH citation from the Works Cited page at least once?
6. Does EACH paragraph IN THE BODY end with a citation, BEFORE the transition sentence?
Works Cited Page
1. Are the sources alphabetized by the FIRST WORD in EACH citation?
2. Is the ENTIRE page double spaced?
3. IF there is a second line to a citation, is it indented?
4. Are all the dates in day month year format? Example: 15 Dec 2004
5. Is everything that should be capitalized, capitalized?
6. Does the writer have all of the required information for EACH source?
7. Is there a centered Works Cited title on top of the page?
8. Are all titles in italics?
9. Are all of the punctuations correct (commas and periods)? Is there a period at the end of EACH
citation? See MLA handout for help and examples.
17
Self Editing
Introduction paragraph and Conclusion paragraph:
1. Is the first sentence of the paper the attention getter?
2. Underline the main points in the first paragraph.
3. Is the thesis the last sentence of the introduction?
4. Is the first sentence in the conclusion the restated/reworded thesis?
5. Underline the main points in the conclusion.
6. Read the entire paper and cross out any information in the essay that does NOT fit with the thesis,
OR fix the thesis, so that information DOES fit with the thesis.
Body paragraphs:
1. Does EACH main point have its own paragraph in the body?
2. Underline the topic sentence in EACH paragraph of the body.
3. Underline the transition sentence in EACH paragraph of the body. Does it come at the end of each
paragraph and does it tie that paragraph to the next paragraph?
4. Does the information in EACH paragraph of the body explain the topic sentences?
5. CROSS OUT the invalid information OR change the topic sentence so the information fits.
6. Does the end of EACH paragraph have a transition sentence that leads the reader to the next
paragraph’s topic?
7. Are the main points logically organized? Is everything in chronological order?
Organized/Format/Mechanics-spelling and grammar:
1. Is the paper in the correct format? [intro, body, conclusion]
2. Is EACH paragraph indented?
3. Are there 5-10 sentences in EACH paragraph?
4. Are the sentences and word choices varied? Is there a lot of repetition of words?
5. Do the sentences and paragraphs ideas flow together? How well does the paper read?
6. Check for spelling errors and CIRCLE them.
7. Check for correct punctuation and CIRCLE the errors.
8. Check for capitalization errors and CIRCLE the errors.
9. Check for improperly worded sentences and CIRCLE the sentences. Do all the sentences make
sense?
Cited Works IN PAPER
1. Did you use the first word from your works cited page for the citation IN the paper?
Go through and highlight the first word on EACH of the citations on the works cited page.
Examples (bolded to show which part should be used, should NOT be bolded in paper):
Currin, Nathan. Historical Arthur. 2001. 6 Nov 2004.
2. Highlight each citation IN the paper.
3. Is each citation IN THE PAPER done correctly (see above)?
Ex-Igraine and Uther Pendragon are the mother and father of Arthur in most stories (Currin).
4. IF the citation IN THE PAPER is a title, is it underlined?
5. Did you use EACH citation from the works cited page at least once?
6. Does EACH paragraph IN THE BODY end with a citation BEFORE the transition sentence?
Works Cited Page
1. Are the sources alphabetized by the FIRST WORD in EACH citation?
2. Is the ENTIRE page double spaced?
3. IF there is a second line to a citation, is it indented?
4. Are all the dates in day month year format? Example: 15 Dec 2004
5. Is everything that should be capitalized, capitalized?
6. Do you have all of the required information for EACH source?
7. Is there a centered Works Cited title on top of the page?
8. Are all titles in italics?
9. Are all of the punctuations correct (commas and periods)? Is there a period at the end of EACH
citation? See MLA handout for help and examples.
18
Transitions Chart (use to help with writing transition sentences)
Show location:
in front of
above
across
against
along
alongside
amid
among
around
away from
back of
behind
below
beneath
Show time or arrangement of ideas:
a more recent
before
about
by this time
after
during
afterwards
eventually
as soon as
finally
at
first
at last
further
at that instant
immediately
at the beginning
in due time
at the end of
in the afternoon
at the present time
in the evening
at the same time
in the future
at this point
in the meantime
Compare two things:
also
as
in the same way
like
beside
between
beyond
by
down
inside
into
near
off
on top of
onto
outside
over
throughout
to the right of
under
in the middle of
in the morning
in the next few
years
later
meanwhile
next
now
presently
prior to
second
simultaneously
soon
soon thereafter
subsequently
the day after
tomorrow
the earliest
the first
the most recent
the next earliest
then
thereafter
third
this year
today
tomorrow
until
when
yesterday
likewise
similarly
Contradict, show contrast or limit:
although
conversely
as opposed
counter to
besides
even so
but
even though
however
in the meantime
nevertheless
on the contrary
on the other hand
otherwise
still
yet
Emphasize a point:
again
for this reason
more importantly
to emphasize
to repeat
truly
with this in mind
Conclude or summarize:
accordingly
consequently
all in all
due to
as a result
finally
for these reasons
hence
in brief
in other words
in short
in summary
therefore
thus
to sum up
Add information:
additionally
again
along with
also
and
for example
for instance
further
furthermore
furthermore
in a like manner
in addition
in the same fashion
likewise
moreover
next
similarly
together with
too
Clarify:
for instance
in other words
put another way
stated differently
that is
in fact
indeed
another
as well
besides
equally important
finally