1. What does this quote mean to you? Do you agree/disagree? Why?

2. Points of Improvement for Essays—Easy Fixes
Upon the first reference in the introduction, include author’s first and last name.
After the first reference to an author, refer to him/her by LAST NAME ONLY.

3. Points of Improvement for Essays—MORE Easy Fixes
Short texts like poems, stories AND articles appear in quotation marks.
Longer texts like plays and novels are underlined (italicized when typed).
Use PRESENT tense throughout your essay.

4. Topic Sentences
Keep topic sentences (and all sentences) concise but specific.
Topic sentences should be presented in a logical or chronological order.

5. Quotes
Avoid introducing a quote with the expression “it says” or “it states.”
Quote introductions = at least 2 sentences
Quote explanations = at least 3 sentences

6.  Keep asking yourself, “What can I say to make my reader think?”

7.  Strive to reference one or two literary terms in your essay.

8.  In your CONCLUSION, explain how the two texts are DIFFERENT.

9. Writing a conclusion:
Delineate = separate (explain how the TWO texts are DIFFERENT)

10. Formal Writing Rules: NO contractions (outside of direct quotes)
NO thing words
NO cliché statements
NO first and second person perspective