Or, strategies for successful essay writing Things to avoid in essay writing! Write a creative title for your essay Consider that the title is the first opportunity you have to inform your reader about the thesis of your essay NEVER just write “Evaluation Essay” Capitalize the title correctly Format the essay with double-spacing and page numbers FIRST THINGS FIRST The purpose of an introduction is to: engage the reader provide background information  present the thesis  Unless necessary for contextualization, save the evidence to support your claims in the body paragraphs. Don't serve the main meal at the same time as the appetizer! Too many details in the introduction: "Air travel is a form of travel in vehicles that can sustain flight". (Really? No kidding!) Don't start your essay with a definition of what is probably unnecessary: obesity, global warming, cell phones, the internet, etc. The purpose of simply taking up space is too obvious and wastes opportunity to craft useful sentences that further your essay. ONLY use a definition if writing about something truly obscure. Avoid Useless "definitions" The trick to avoid these words: insert “as opposed to?” Basically, very, really, literally, truly, personally (as opposed to...?) Here is a link to a good page about writing concisely: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/writing-concisely/ Using Words that Do Not Add Meaning In this essay I will prove... I will discuss... As said in the previous paragraph…. As mentioned before...  Avoid these space fillers! Instead - just write what you are saying. Don't waste space saying what you WILL write about or what you already wrote. Example: Wrong: In this essay I will argue that cell phones should not be used while drive. Better: Cell phones should not be used while driving. Announcing Yourself to the Reader Did you ever get tired of reading essays with questions? Do you think that these questions would be stronger written as statements? Are all the questions necessary? Do they engage the reader? Especially in a repeating pattern: did you ever wonder, did you ever think, why is it that... blah blah blah?  STOP! And if writing a question, remember to use a question mark when creating a question, even if it's a rhetorical question. Rhetorical Questions Avoid Pointing the Camera at Yourself: I think, I believe, I feel, in my opinion... Write what you think in a statement The reader will know what you think by what you write. ONLY use “I” when framing a direct response: “I agree/concede/argue/claim…” Remove yourself You didn't actually write the paper, but you're really good at introducing other people's quotes! Stringing them together is almost writing a paper, right? Not quite! The reader needs to hear your voice and your ideas that are supported by the evidence, not replaced by them. After using a quote, be sure to explain how it supports the claim in the topic sentence and the thesis. Don’t .

1. Or, strategies for successful essay writing
Things to avoid in essay writing!
Write a creative title for your essay
Consider that the title is the first opportunity you have to
inform your reader about the thesis of your essay
NEVER just write “Evaluation Essay”
Capitalize the title correctly
Format the essay with double-spacing and page numbers
FIRST THINGS FIRST
The purpose of an introduction is to:
engage the reader
provide background information
present the thesis
Unless necessary for contextualization, save the evidence to
support your claims in the body paragraphs.
Don't serve the main meal at the same time as the appetizer!
Too many details in the introduction:

2. "Air travel is a form of travel in vehicles that can sustain
flight". (Really? No kidding!)
Don't start your essay with a definition of what is probably
unnecessary: obesity, global warming, cell phones, the internet,
etc.
The purpose of simply taking up space is too obvious and
wastes opportunity to craft useful sentences that further your
essay.
ONLY use a definition if writing about something truly obscure.
Avoid Useless "definitions"
The trick to avoid these words: insert “as opposed to?”
Basically, very, really, literally, truly, personally (as opposed
to...?)
Here is a link to a good page about writing concisely:
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/writing-concisely/
Using Words that Do Not Add Meaning
In this essay I will prove...
I will discuss...
As said in the previous paragraph….
As mentioned before...
Avoid these space fillers! Instead - just write what you are

3. saying.
Don't waste space saying what you WILL write about or what
you already wrote.
Example:
Wrong: In this essay I will argue that cell phones should not be
used while drive.
Better: Cell phones should not be used while driving.
Announcing Yourself to the Reader
Did you ever get tired of reading essays with questions?
Do you think that these questions would be stronger written as
statements?
Are all the questions necessary?
Do they engage the reader?
Especially in a repeating pattern: did you ever wonder, did you
ever think, why is it that... blah blah blah?
STOP!
And if writing a question, remember to use a question mark
when creating a question, even if it's a rhetorical question.
Rhetorical Questions
Avoid Pointing the Camera at Yourself:
I think, I believe, I feel, in my opinion...
Write what you think in a statement
The reader will know what you think by what you write.

4. ONLY use “I” when framing a direct response:
“I agree/concede/argue/claim…”
Remove yourself
You didn't actually write the paper, but you're really good at
introducing other people's quotes!
Stringing them together is almost writing a paper, right?
Not quite!
The reader needs to hear your voice and your ideas that are
supported by the evidence, not replaced by them.
After using a quote, be sure to explain how it supports the claim
in the topic sentence and the thesis.
Don’t let a quote do the talking for you – it is only used as
supporting evidence.
And, of course, CITE correctly (never an entire website)
Too Many Quotes
"In the essay Blah Blah by Joanne Smith she argues that..." =
RPS Repeating Pronoun Syndrome!
Instead: "In the essay Blah Blah Joanne smith argues that..."
Articles don't talk; authors do: "The article How to Write
Effectively says that..."
Instead: "In the article How to Write Effectively, there are a
number of strategies to use to improve your essays."

5. Awkward sentence construction introducing a source
Your thesis may change as you write, so make sure the thesis:
is not a question but answers a question
strongly and clearly states a point that is arguable/debatable –
NOT just an opinion
is not a quote
matches your conclusion, which should not repeat the thesis, but
provides a closing idea to the reader
Revisit your thesis
Don't give your reader whiplash from one idea to the next
Lead the reader gently and logically along using relevant
transition words
Don't simply insert a random "moreover" or "furthermore" if it
isn't logical - "Fast food is cheaper than healthy food.
Moreover, not enough schools provide physical education
courses". Say what?
Make the connection clear.
Use transitions between ideas and between paragraphs
Avoid saying "In conclusion" or "In sum"

6. Instead, write a solid conclusion that wraps up the idea of the
paper
Revisit the thesis without repeating it
The reader can figure out it's the conclusion
Don’t introduce new ideas in the conclusion
Add paragraphs if new ideas crop up as your write
The Conclusion
Works Cited List:
It is called a Works Cited List because the sources have been
cited in the paper.
If sources are cited in-text, they MUST appear on the Works
Cited List.
List the sources in alphabetical order either by author, or, if no
author, by the title of the source.
Do NOT just list a website.
Cite everything: graphics, interviews, videos, statistics;
everything that is paraphrased, quoted or summarized.
In-Text Citations -
Citations belong at the end of a quote or a section, never mid-
sentence.
Do NOT insert a website.
When using MLA formatting, DO NOT use footnotes.
Documentation
Avoid making the same grammatical mistakes in your writing.
Proofreading counts.
A good piece of writing loses its credibility by the use of a

7. wrong word or misused and abused punctuation.
Look for: your/you're; their/there/they're; definitely/defiantly;
lose/loose; its/it's, etc.
If your teacher cares more about your writing than you do, there
is a problem.
Sloppy proofreading shows you really just don’t care, and the
grade you earn will reflect that.
Its a disappointing result. Oops - that should be IT'S, right?
Right.
Finally, PROOFREAD carefully!
1. Avoid Alliteration. Always.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3. Avoid cliches like the plague; they’re old hat.
4. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
5. Be more or less specific.
6.Writers should never generalize.
Seven: Be consistent!
8. Don’t be redundant; don’t use more words than necessary,
and don’t repeat ideas; it’s highly superfluous.
9. Who needs rhetorical questions?
10. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
…and, for fun:
“How to Write Good”

8. Editing and Revision
1
What does editing mean?
What does revising mean?
Editing is the process of looking at the whole paper in order to
note its overall content, organization, and other major issues
that make the paper an effective one.
Revising is when you rewrite or alter your work.
What’s Involved in Editing and Revising?
Looking at grammar and the overall content of your work.
Ensures that the final draft is suited appropriately for the
audience and assignment.
Helps correct grammar and organize sentences in an essay.

9. Helps organize and improve the final draft of your essay
Allows the writer to go back and make sure all of their ideas are
correctly explained in the correct context.
Steps to take when editing and revising:
The steps taken in editing and revising may take some time, but
will greatly benefit your quality of work in the long run. These
steps will help to make sure that your work is being read how it
is intended to be. These steps will make your work more
presentable and better fit its purpose.
There are five essential steps when editing and revising
Step one: Print out your paper
After printing out your paper, go through it with a colored pen.
This will allow you to find punctuation errors and misspelled
words on your own so that you are not simply relying on your
spell check, because even the computer does not always correct
these things on its own. Making marks with your pen will make
it easier for you to go back and change these issues.
Step two: Check your sentence structure
Make sure that every sentence in your paper has a subject and a
verb in it. Start reading your paper out loud to yourself, and
make sure there are no run-on sentences. Sometimes long
sentences need to be broken up into shorter ones to make your
idea more clear.
Check the beginning of your sentences and make sure you are

10. not repeating yourself with “I”, “you”, or “the”. This step
allows you to realize if you need to switch your wording or
sentence structure to better get your point across and keep a
good rhythm throughout the entire essay.
Step three: Avoid too much clutter
If there is too much clutter (unnecessary information) in your
writing the reader will become confused and lose track of what
the purpose of the work is. Get to the point of what you are
trying to say.
Step four: Make sure you are writing convincingly and
compellingly
Try and avoid using passive sentences in your writing. If your
writing is too passive the reader will find it weak and
unconvincing.
Example: The television that was located in the classroom was
tuned to MTV all day.
Revision: The classroom television was always tuned to MTV.
Step five: Proofreading
Now that you have made edits and revisions your writing will
be more clear. This step is where you want to check for typos,
misspelled words, and misplaced commas. This is your final
pass through of your essay to catch any last things that need to
be fixed.

11. Strategies involved in Editing and Revising.
Reading aloud.
Walking away from the reading and returning with fresh eyes
and thoughts.
Asking others to read the material and give an objective
opinion.
Works Cited
"Editing and Proofreading." The Writing Center at University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, n.d. Web. 14 March 2012.
URL: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-
demos/citation/editing-and-proofreading
"Reading Aloud." The Writing Center at University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, n.d. Web. 14 March 2012. URL:
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-demos/writing-
the-paper/reading-aloud
"Revising Drafts." The Writing Center at University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, n.d. Web. 14 March 2012. URL:
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-demos/writing-
the-paper/revising-drafts
Dutwin, M.A., Phyllis & Diamond, M.A., Harriet. (2000)
“Writing: The Easy Way.” Edit and Rewrite: Chapter 11 (180-
191). Westfield, New Jersey.
Sorenson, S. (2002) “How to Write Research Papers: Easy-to-
follow, practical instruction for high school and college

12. students.” Drafting the Paper: Chapter 6 Step 11: Revising-
Polishing the Content (41-45). Arco, Thomas Learning, Inc. 3rd
ed., Lawrenceville, NJ.