Remove Unnecessary Language Eliminate empty expressions Eliminate empty expressions Remove redundancy (unnecessary repetition of ideas or phrases Remove redundancy (unnecessary repetition of ideas or phrases Condense wordy sentences Condense wordy sentences

Use Specific Language Use active verbs that describe or accurately name the action Use active verbs that describe or accurately name the action Replace weak or inaccurate nouns Replace weak or inaccurate nouns Do not add unnecessary modifiers when sharper nouns and verbs will work Do not add unnecessary modifiers when sharper nouns and verbs will work

Example The man looked at the crowd and waved. The man looked at the crowd and waved. The tennis player glared at the spectators and shook his fist. The tennis player glared at the spectators and shook his fist. The actor gazed at the audience and bowed. The actor gazed at the audience and bowed.

Check for Fragments Add the missing subject or verb to make a complete sentence Add the missing subject or verb to make a complete sentence Attach the fragment to the previous sentence Attach the fragment to the previous sentence Hint: read your paper backwards sentence by sentence to spot fragments Hint: read your paper backwards sentence by sentence to spot fragments Use a variety of sentence lengths Use a variety of sentence lengths

Check for Run On Sentences Break a run-on into two sentences Break a run-on into two sentences Insert a semi-colon to divide two main clauses Insert a semi-colon to divide two main clauses Add a coordinating conjunction between the two main clauses Add a coordinating conjunction between the two main clauses

Check all Pronouns Eliminate incorrect shifts in person Eliminate incorrect shifts in person Remove any use of second person (you) Remove any use of second person (you) Remove a pronoun with unclear antecedent Remove a pronoun with unclear antecedent Make the pronoun and the antecedent agree in gender and number Make the pronoun and the antecedent agree in gender and number

Use Correct Pronoun Case Use a subject pronoun (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) for the subject or predicate noun Use a subject pronoun (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) for the subject or predicate noun Use an object pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) for a direct object or the object of a preposition Use an object pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) for a direct object or the object of a preposition

Possessive Pronouns Use a possessive pronoun (my, mine, your, yours, his, hers, its, their, theirs) to replace any possessive noun. Use a possessive pronoun (my, mine, your, yours, his, hers, its, their, theirs) to replace any possessive noun. Examples: Bill and I will go with you and her to the party. Give his paper to them. Neither you nor I will have time to give her this work. Examples: Bill and I will go with you and her to the party. Give his paper to them. Neither you nor I will have time to give her this work.

Check Verb Use Avoid unnecessary shifts in tense from present to past Avoid unnecessary shifts in tense from present to past Be sure to use the correct verb endings Be sure to use the correct verb endings Make the subject and verb agree in number; the number of the subject determines the number of the verb Make the subject and verb agree in number; the number of the subject determines the number of the verb

Check for Common Spelling Errors Too, to, two Too, to, two Their, there they’re Their, there they’re Affect, effect Affect, effect

Check the Body Paragraphs Each paragraph should be unified with a clear topic Each paragraph should be unified with a clear topic The order is appropriate and logical The order is appropriate and logical Appropriate transitions are blended in Appropriate transitions are blended in Counterarguments are considered Counterarguments are considered