Writing tips

A - Attributes

• Explores and illuminates the assignment as thoroughly as possible.
• Razor-sharp, incisive thesis piques the reader’s interest.
• Writer shows clear command of the assignment, thesis, texts, and arguments.
• Writer engages the thesis throughout the essay and provides more than adequate support for the argument at hand.
• Writer engages thoughtfully and sophisticatedly with secondary material used.
• Introduction comes quickly and elegantly to the point, establishing the necessary context for the thesis.

UPDATE! The MLA has totally revamped their citation style (as of Spring 2016); until I get it figured out, my courses will roll with the 2009 edition.

These are all things that you already know how to do, but too often they are forgotten in the rush of writing. Give yourself enough time, during and after drafting your essay, to address everything from the list below, and you will produce an essay that both you and I can admire.

I have at least one documentable plagiarism case every year. On occasion, there is malicious intent to deceve; more often, however, the plagarism occurs accidentally -- through laziness, carelessness, misunderstanding, or panic. No matter the intent, however, all forms of plagarism are equally in violation of the Academic Honesty Policy at this (and any) institution.