The document provides guidelines for writing an analysis of an external speaker using proper APA or MLA format. It includes tips on using full contractions instead of contractions, using commas in certain situations, general writing advice such as double spacing and avoiding bold or italics in titles, as well as advice on idioms, perspective, proofreading, sentence length, slang, homonyms, essay length and using active voice.

1. M R S . A . L O N G B E N T O N , E D S , P M C
T A I 1 7 0
8 . 2 7 . 1 3
External Speaker
Written Analysis

2. APA or MLA Format
 Please use proper APA or MLA format.
 Go online for resources:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
OR
 http://www.mla.org/bibliography

3. Contractions and Conjunctions
 Do not use contractions; use the full word.
 For example: Use “do not” instead of “don’t.”
 If “but” and “which” are in the middle of a sentence,
please proceed them with a comma.

4. Commas
 After introductory phrases, please use a comma.
 For example: In conclusion, she was a dynamic speaker.
 If there are three items in a list, please use a comma
before “and” and the last item.
 For example: cookies, shrimp, and peaches

5. General Advice
 If “and” is followed by a sentence, please precede it
with a comma.
 …, and I was motivated as a result.
 After “this,” please use a noun.
 For example, “After this exercise, we were prepared.”

6. More Advice
 Please double space your essay.
 Do not use bold or italics in your title.
 Do not end a sentence with a preposition.
 Common prepositions are:
 On, in, of, out, beyond, for, with, etc.

7. More Tips
 If you use idioms, place quotations around them.
 For example: “kick the bucket”
 Do not use:
 “In my opinion,” OR “personally.”
 It is your essay so everything you say should be from your
perspective unless you are citing a source.

8. Other Tips
 Please have someone proofread your essay.
 Please read your essay backwards because spell
check will not catch every word.
 Do not exceed 25 words in a single sentence.

9. Slang and Homonyms
 Remove slang.
 For example: Mrs. Morton did her thing.
 Avoid inappropriate use of homonyms.
 For example: “to” vs. “too” OR “there” vs. “they are”
 http://www.slideshare.net/akenalong/homonyms-
slidecast-11529903/

10. Essay Length
 Please adhere to the ONE page requirement.
 1 ¼ maximum to compensate for the MLA heading,
which has no cover page.

11. Active vs. Passive Voice
 Use active voice instead of passive voice.
 “Mrs. Morton gave a presentation”…instead of ”The
presentation given by Mrs. Morton…”