STYLE SHEET TO ASSIST IN PROPER STRUCTURE

AND BETTER STYLE FOR YOUR FINAL ESSAY

DR. DAVID B. AXELROD......S.C.C.C., SELDEN

Check sheet and notes of style and structure:

GRADING POLICY: An "outline" for your final essay is provided with your assignment. There is a "standard structure" for a literature paper. It is written as a persuasive essay, also called a "critical analysis" which states and "proves" a central point, for you that two poems have similar themes. SUGGESTION: Use this sheet to be sure you have structured your paper correctly. Then, to check for points of style, take one point at a time and, without necessarily reading the paper for its content, go through the paper circling any possible faults. Then, go back to check items. REVISE, EDIT AND PROOFREAD until your paper is correct. [Can you find the typos in this style sheet? J ]  

Use prescribed structure:

1. Begin your paper with a thesis statement which clearly states your OPINION, the word     "because" as your "place marker" for logic, then give the best REASON why you hold your opinion.

2. The first paragraph should explain or define each of the major ideas or items (each significant word) of the thesis.

3. Begin each paragraph within the essay with an example sentence that restates the theme you are trying to "prove." 

    Key Word in your thesis--even repeats it, and tells what evidence you will present.

4. Conclude each of your paragraphs with a summation that once again states or even repeats word for word the key idea--the focus or logic of your thesis.

5. Write at least one full paragraph of conclusion including a brief summary (a kind of unnumbered list) of details or examples used to prove your point. Repeat your  opinion once more as a "kicker." Don't moralize or change the point!

6.   Indent only for a new paragraph, not as a typographical device to make your paper appear more pleasing. Each of your paragraphs

Edit for these points of style:

 7. Don't use questions at all in your essay.

8. Don't use vague references and particularly avoid all indefinite pronouns. Cross out and replace every "this, these, that, the above," etc.  Replace with what you mean!

9.  Avoid weak words or words that hedge. Cross out, for example, every "very, little, almost, much, a great deal, often, sometimes, greatly." If a word adds nothing, eliminate it or replace it with specific facts.

10.   Don't use "I think, I feel, In my opinion."

11.   Don't use you" as a point of view. "We" is the convention together with third person discussion.

12.   Don't use clichés and hackneyed words. From the bottom of my heart, in today's society, throughout time clichés have been a problem! Similarly, avoid slang and jargon.

13.   A word about mispelings!

 Follow required format:

14. Type using a standard, dark, 12-point type (book antiqua for example).

15. Transmit as either a Microsoft Word (.doc) text or as "Rich Text" (.txt). I can not download Word Perfect (.wps). If you wish you may also paste your paper into your email.