**GENERAL RULES FOR FORMAL WRITINGA very useful website for grammar rules as relates to the items contained herein is Grammar GirlSearch grammar girl or visit:grammar.quickanddirtytips.com

**1. AVOID I AND YOUWrite as general truths not I statementsAvoid you, prefer: one, oneself, a person, people, etc.

**AVOID IIt is preferred practice to avoid I in formal writing, especially argumentative or persuasive (unless specifically instructed to write as a personal opinion paper or in first person.)When presenting an argument you want to argue as fact-not opinion. While your opinion may have been your starting point, if your argument is strong enough it is based upon facts and evidence to prove its correctness, so argue as such.

**2. AVOID CONTRACTIONSWrite out complete words.If necessary re-word the sentence to avoid the contraction.Generally results in more formal, academic sound and better sentence structure.

**3. WRITE OUT ALL NUMBERS UNDER 10Reserve digits for 10 and higher. Make sure you use commas and zeros correctly to create the correct number.

**4. DO NOT USE th and st in datesINCORRECTFebruary 8th, 2012

CORRECTFebruary 8, 2012For a more complete explanation relating to the use of cardinal numbers vs ordinal numbers (or just because you do not know what those words even mean) visit: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/writing-dates.aspx

**5. AVOID PLAGIARISM AT ALL COSTSUse Quotation Marks for ALL borrowed languageMake sure paraphrases are true paraphrases not just a word or two changed.Must have an in-text cite for paraphrases.

**USE PROPER IN-TEXT CITATIONThe quotation marks for direct quotes come BEFORE the parenthetical cite.The period comes AFTER the parenthetical cite. No punctuation between the quotation marks and the in-text citation. Example: and so on (Smith n. pag.).

**CITATIONSIn-text MUST match the Work Cited including:Spelling of authors namePunctuation of titles (in quotes or underlined/italicized)Other punctuation (commas, etc.) not neededException-use a ; when separating two citations within one set of parenthesesExample (Smith; Anderson 62)

**6. USE SIGNAL PHRASESDO NOT DROP IN QUOTATIONS!!Introduce the quote within your sentenceIt should flow with what you are explaining

**SIGNAL PHRASESVary the language and placementBefore: As Smith has noted, .. (Smith n.pag)As a break within: . argues Smith, (Smith n.pag.)At the end: .. claims Smith (Smith n.pag.)

Altering wording of a quote-use bracketsIf you need to alter a word in a quote to make it flow/make sense in your [use brackets]Example: Numerous studies find that childrens exposure to violence has a negative impact on [childrens] behavior (Mowers).

Original words were a childs**

7. Maintain article title marks!!When no authorUse first 3-4 words of titleKEEP THE QUOTATION MARKS

Example: (Social Media Strikes)**

**Formal Writing Grammar ChallengesAlso refer to the power point Top Ten Words Most Often Confused/Misused

**8. THAT VS WHO/WHOMWHO is used to indicate or in reference to a human.Whom is the objective form and should be used when it is a direct/indirect object or the object of a preposition.Example: To whom did you give the note? In class yesterday the students whom I gave extra credit to fully deserved it. THAT is used to indicate nonhumans or inanimate objects.He is the one who deserved recognition. (NOT that deserved recognition)

**9. AGREEMENT ISSUES OR THE DREADED SVPs SVP or singular versus plural, is an all too common grammatical/proofreading error.As such one must CAREFULLY LOOK FOR IT and correct it. If the subject is singular THEN ALL verbs and pronouns that reference it MUST be singular.The same if the subject is plural.

**SVPA person should really be careful of how they spend their time.A person should really be careful of how he/she spends his/her time. Formal (old school) training suggest always using the male gender (he/his) to indicate singular. Modern training (and Ms. Schaner) accept female (she/her) or the duo indicator as seen in the example above.

**SVP EXAMPLEIt could also simply be that as one grows older, their interests change. It could also simply be that as people grow older their interests change.It could also simply be that as one grows older ones interests change. Use words search feature for the common error words (their, everyone, one, etc.)

Searching for common errors in a word document1. Open essay2. Hit control fA search bar will open on the left hand sideEnter the word you want to check. For example, their to check for singular versus plural.Enter an apostrophe to check for contractions.**

10. NEVER START A BODY PARAGRAPH WITH A DIRECT QUOTEBody paragraphs MUST be your topic sentence (minor claim)Direct quotes are EVIDENCE to support that claim.**

Check your originality report20% or lessCheck that everything highlighted has an in-text citationCheck that there is not more words from sources THAN YOUR OWN WORDS!Number one fix-EXPLAIN MORE!!**

**MLA FORMAT QUICK CHECK1 margin all around12 pt. Font Times New RomanDouble-spacedHeader-last name and page #HeadingYour NameInstructors NameClass NameDate-in MLA FormatWorks Cited PageWorks Cited-centeredAlphabetical OrderHanging IndentALL DATES in MLA FormatMedium stated in each entryURL-if required