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Make sure that you have used correct punctuation and capitalization.
Make sure that you have intended the first line of each paragraph.
Make sure every sentence has a subject and a verb.
It is a good idea to have someone else proofread your writing for you, too. Sometimes another
reader can see mistakes that you might miss.
Quotation Marks
When you use another persons words, you must let the reader know that these words are not
yours by putting the borrowed words in quotation marks.
Including examples: Good writers include examples, especially when they are writing about a
difficult or abstract topic.
Plagiarism is using someone elses words as if they were your own words.
You must cite, or show, the source of the idea whether you use a persons exact words or not. 2
most common ways to cite an original source:
1. Use the persons name and the date of the publication where his or her words are
found.
2. Include the persons name and the date of the publication after the borrowed idea.
Combining sentences for variety: limit use of simple sentences. Writing different kinds of
sentences is a way to improve your writing. For variety, combine 2 short sentences with a
connecting word, such as and, but, or, so.
Describes
Give impressions, not definitions.
shows the reader.
Create a sensory image in the readers mind.
Tells a story
Gives background information in the opening sentence or sentences
Has a clear begging, a middle, and an end.
Entertains and informs
Use vivid, descriptive language that paints a picture that is so real that the reader can
almost feel that he or she is witnessing the event live
The beginning: the main action begins after the topic sentence.
The middle: the main action or problem occurs.
The end: if there is a problem or conflict in the story, the solution is presented here.
Including background information
The topic sentence of a narrative paragraph gives background information about the action that
is going to happen in the story. The background sentence is not usually the beginning of the
story it sets up the story.
Using vivid language to help readers see your story
Use vivid language to help your readers image that they are actually there with you at the event.