1. Synthesis Revision
2018

2. First Read: Common Pitfalls
Except in quotations from your research or your literature:
Cross out the words “you” and “I.”
Cross out all weak language like “I think” or “I believe.”
Use literary present tense to discuss the fictional elements within books and plays.
Use past tense to discuss the factual, historical events within the literature.
Look for and, but, or so in the beginning of sentences or sentences that are too long.
Be sure that “it’s” is used as “it is” and that “its” shows possession.
Be sure that “there,” “their,” and “they’re” are used correctly.
Use the author’s complete or last name when you refer to him/her.

3. In All Writing Double-check your MLA citation formatting.
I.E for Macbeth - “___________” (I.v.13-23).
I.E. for Juvenile Justice- “___________” (Stoffers).
Movie- title
TV show- episode title
Song/poem- last name

4. Second Read: Looking at the Seven Traits
Look for weak words that are vague (stuff, things, it..etc.). An outstanding paper has powerful vocabulary that stimulates the reader and conveys the intended meaning in an interesting and natural way. Give suggestions.
Look for weak sentences that don’t flow well or are too long to make any sense. An outstanding paper has an easy flow and sentence sense that makes the text easy to read aloud. Give suggestions.
Look for language or sentence structure that is too informal for an academic essay. Fix it.

5. Second Read: Looking at the Seven Traits
4. Look for language or sentence structure that is too informal for an academic essay. Fix it.
5. Look at the structure of the essay. Should the paragraphs be switched around? The piece should have a strong sense of direction, balance, and flow. This is more complicated than it sounds in this essay with so many different quotations from so many different sources. They should be artfully woven together. Make sure that your paragraphs follow the order of the supporting ideas in your thesis statement.
6. Look at the transition sentence at the beginning of every body paragraph and the conclusion. Does it link the two paragraphs in a logical and fluent way? Give suggestions.
7.Look at the introduction. Make sure it engages your reader, provide necessary background, and contains a strong arguable thesis.
8. Look at the conclusion. It should be satisfying and should not simply repeat the introduction. Make it thoughtful and leave the reader with a new idea to ponder. What does this mean for humanity?

6. Third Read: Ideas, Ideas, Ideas
Look at each quotation. Make sure that enough context is given. What is happening in the text so that the reader can understand the quote?
Make sure that the source is fully introduced the first time that you use it. I.E. Psychologist Phillip Zimbardo in his Ted Talk on the Psychology of evil argues that….
After each quotation, there should be enough analysis so that the connection between the thesis statements is clear.
Keep in mind that you want to go beyond the obvious, that you want to extend your ideas beyond your first thought. The goal is to remain focused and to share original, fresh information or perspective about the topic.
Give yourself something to prove. If the thesis is obvious, then there is no reason for the reader to continue with the rest of the paper.
Look for big statements that are not supported. These statements should either be cut or developed.

7. MLA FORMAT? Double spaced 12 Times New Roman Indent all new paragraphs
Correct heading
Your name
Our names
English 2H- (#) class period
9 May 2018
Running header
Insert- page number- top of page- write last name in front of it
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