The following rules will help you not only to develop a better writing style but also to survive your English course this semester and, perhaps, your future classes.

Each assignment (and test) which is submitted for a grade must (be):

1. Double-spaced (written on every other line).

2. Written only ONE side of the page.

3. Processed or neatly written in INK (if the assignment is written in pencil, it will

NOT be graded).

4. Accompanied by a ROUGH COPY (if a rough copy is not submitted along with your finished "polished" copy, 50% will deducted from the total[tests may be exempted]).

5. MUST conform to the MLA (Modern Language Association) format re: TITLE PAGE, MARGINS, HEADERS AND WORK(S) CITED SECTION (see number 6 below).

Each essay which is submitted for a grade MUST NOT contain any of the following pronouns: "you", "I", "my", "our", "we", "us". Substitute instead: "he", "she" , "it", "they" or the noun "person". ("I recommend this novel to other teenagers." BECOMES "This novel is recommended to other teenagers."

Each essay which is submitted for a grade WILL HAVE NO CONTRACTIONS. In other words, "don't", "won't", "isn't" . . . BECOMES "do not", "will not" "is not" .. . respectively.

6. Each assignment/test MUST have a title page on which the following information must be placed:

a) the title of your assignment

b) your name, the class (e.g. English 4A1-03), your subject teacher's name and the submission date (the date the essay is due [no abbreviations e.g. Oct. 23, 1997). See the last page of this handout for a sample title page.

7. Each assignment/test MUST have the first initial of your Christian name and your full surname, followed by the page number - STARTING AT PAGE 2. (e.g. K. Ried 2) at the upper right hand corner of each page (including the work cited page).

8.In your assignment, do NOT use "it", "this", "that" etc., unless their antecedent is very obvious/clear.

9. Remember that the singular for woman is "woman", not "women".

10. The possessive of "it" is "its", not "it's" (it is).

11.Avoid "lazy" English; for example, the word "quote is a verb, not a noun. Use "quotation" instead. Use "examination" instead of "exam", "enthusiastic" instead of"enthused" and so on.

12 Substitute occurs when for is when e.g. Pathetic Fallacy is when nature reacts to the deeds of man BECOMES Pathetic Fallacy occurs when nature reacts to the deeds of man.

13. Omit the phrase, "the reason is because . . . - because and reason mean the same e.g. The reason John became class president is because he is the most vocal BECOMES The reason John became class president is that he is the most vocal..

14. Omit throughout the whole/entire . . . throughout means whole/entire e.g. Throughout the entire novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee allows the reader to feel compassion for certain characters BECOMES Throughout the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee allows the reader to feel compassion for certain characters.

15.The words novel or work are more academic sounding than book. In addition, use drama (or play) instead of book.

16.Avoid using "a lot". Use instead. "many", " a great deal of . . . ."

17. Do not use the word "thing". "Thing" is too vague. Attempt to be specific e.g. "The thing that was wrong with Scout was her impetuosity." BECOMES "The error in Scout's personality was that she was too impetuous."

18 Use "met" instead of "met up with". For example: John met up with his friends at the party BECOMES John met his friends at the party.

19. Use "there" (place), "their" (possession) and "they're" correctly. For example: Put their costumes there. They're being picked up after their rehearsal.

20. Each, every, any, anyone, and everyone are singular in meaning; therefore, any pronoun that comes after these words in the sentence must be singular. For example: i) Every boy must bring their wrestling equipment to school BECOMES Every boy must bring HIS wrestling equipment to school.

ii) Any girl who wishes to join the astrology club should talk to their counsellor first BECOMES Any girl who wishes to join the astrology club should see HER counsellor first.

iii) If the principal sees any student smoking on school property, they will be suspended BECOMES If the principal sees any student smoking on school property, HE or SHE will be suspended.

21. Not only . . . but also, neither . . . nor and either . . . or are correlative conjunctions. They are always seen together. For example:

i) The teacher received not only apples from her students but also peaches.

ii) Neither Tom nor Richard is going ( notice the singular verb "is") to the party.

iii) Horace will either change his name to Waldo or he will change it to Gunther.

NOTE: NO late assignments will be accepted after the due date; therefore, do not even ask.