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    Writing Do's - Dont's

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    Amira Mazhar-144
    What to avoid when writing formally

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    Writing Do's - Dont's

    Uploaded by

    Amira Mazhar-144
    4 views3 pages
    What to avoid when writing formally

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    Writing Do's -Dont's

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    What to avoid when writing formally

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    4 views3 pages

    Writing Do's - Dont's

    Uploaded by

    Amira Mazhar-144
    What to avoid when writing formally

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 3

    Formal Writing

    “Do’s and Don’t’s”


    Do’s
    1. Write about literature in the PRESENT tense and use the ACTIVE voice.

    2. Use a formal voice when writing paragraphs and essays.

    3. Write one and two digit numbers out in full. However, numbers with
    three digits can be written numerically. Example: fifty-two, one
    hundred, twenty, seven, two thousand, 203, 2002. Exceptions: dates
    and time (May 7, 2005 at 3:00).

    4. Vary vocabulary and make sure each word in the sentence


    expresses your thoughts descriptively.

    5. Be concise. Avoid unnecessary words in a sentence (wordiness).

    6. Choose words carefully. Ask yourself: “is this the perfect word, or
    is there a better, more descriptive word to use?”

    7. Pay attention to word usage. Know the difference between the


    following tricky
    words: a) there/their/ b) hear/here c) choose/chose/choice
    they’re
    d) new/knew e) know/now f) to/too/two
    g) hole/whole h) i)
    thought/taught threw/through/thoroug
    h

    8. Use transition words and phrases to help your writing flow smoothly.
    Examples: Thus, therefore, consequently, in addition, furthermore.

    9. Reread your paper to make sure your writing has unity and coherence.

    10. Make a point and take a stand! Do not say “I think, or “maybe.”
    These words suggest that you are afraid to argue your point. Don’t
    be scared!

    11. Incorporate quotes within your sentence.

    12. Provide support for your argument. Quote and cite examples from
    literature, the media, or from personal experience. (See style sheet
    for citation techniques).

    13. Vary quote introductions. Avoid continually saying: “he says,” “she
    says.”

    14. Check your spelling and grammar! Please note the following
    corrections: A lot = two words. Each other = two words.

    15. Reread the topic / question to make sure it has been fully discussed.
    16. Make several drafts: outline, rough copy, and good copy etc.
    Don’t’s
    1. Don’t use colloquial language. These are words used in everyday,
    informal
    speech and therefore, not appropriate for formal writing.

    2. Don’t use words such as “thing” and “stuff.” These are VAGUE terms
    that don’t adequately express what you mean.

    3. Don’t use contractions. Write words out in full. Example: do not


    use “can’t,” “don’t,” “shouldn’t.” Use cannot, do not, should not.

    4. Don’t use symbols. Example: (& or +). Write these words out in full.

    5. Don’t use abbreviations. Write the word out in full. Example: T.V. =
    television

    6. Don’t be repetitive and vague. For instance: “a group of people


    attacked another group of people and many people died.” This is
    monotonous, unclear, and repetitive.

    7. Don’t use the words such as, “get” and “got.”

    8. Don’t use words such as, “I,” or “me” when writing persuasively.

    9. Don’t use the word “you.” Use “one” instead, or reword the
    sentence. Otherwise you are referring directly to the reader. (This is
    informal and it may be rather insulting).

    10. Don’t write short choppy sentences. Formal writing should not sound
    like a list. Varied sentence length and structure makes the paper
    easier to read and more enjoyable. It also shows intelligence and
    reveals creativity.

    11. Don’t ask questions in formal writing. Your job is to answer


    all possible questions. Besides, the reader can’t answer - it is
    not a conversation.

    12. Don’t state the obvious. Example: This paragraph..., this quote....

    13. Don’t summarize the quote beforehand. Example: Benvolio tells


    the fools to part when they are fighting. For example, he says,
    “part fools! Put up your swords, you know not what you do”
    (I.ii.55-56).

    14. Don’t write boring titles! Please start off on the right foot and intrigue
    me.

    15. Don’t repeat your topic sentence in your concluding sentence.

    16. Don’t forget to ask for your teacher’s help!

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