HIGH SCHOOL

Formal Writing Guidelines

English III

Ms. Manzano

Use third person (he, she, it, they, him, her, them, or one, the reader, an individual).

No second person (you, your, yours, you’re, yourself).

No first person (I, my, me, we, us, our, etc…).

No contractions (don’t, can’t, isn’t, etc…).

No symbols (@, #, &…).

No things, stuff, and a lot.

No slang or obscene language (guys, cops, gals…).

No extra words (I think, in my opinion, in this essay, well anyway, you know…).

Do not begin sentences with conjunctions (and, or, and but).

Indent all paragraphs.

Do not leave spaces between paragraphs.

Use pronouns with antecedents (it, she, and he).

Write words out. No abbreviations. (Etc…).

Write out numbers from zero to ninety-nine.

Use complete sentences. Sentences need subjects and predicates.

Underline the titles of major words, such as novels, plays, movies, etc.; short works (short stories, poems, and essays) should be in quotation marks.

Use figurative language.

Use imagery.

Use formal and high level vocabulary (including technical language).

Cite all evidence.

Have clear thesis/claim and topic sentences.

Proofread! Revise! Edit! Whisper write to yourself.

Essay Structure:

Introductory paragraph: 4-6 sentences and include the thesis/claim

Body Paragraphs: 8-12 sentences (TEIQATIQA)

Conclusion Paragraph- 4-6 sentences