1. WORD TRASH “WORD TRASH” – words, phrases and habits that should not find their way into your formal academic writing.

2. WORD TRASH

3. slang terms Be careful! Even commonly used words such as “guy” are too slang for academic writing! (It’s “man” or “character.”)

4. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) It’s OK to use shorthand symbols in your notes, but edit them out of your draft! (You may use symbols IF they are included in a direct quote.)

5. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) First person POV includes I, me, my, us, our, we, etc. It’s perfectly fine to use for a personal essay or opinion writing–but not OK in most academic writing.

6. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) Instead of first person pronouns, use something like “readers” or “the reader.” “The reader can see that Fitzgerald intended his protagonist to appear…”

7. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) This is a COMMON problem. Make sure to edit this out of your writing. “When you pick up a book by Fitzgerald, you notice…”

8. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) Use something like “the reader” or “one” to fix it. “When one picks up a book by Fitzgerald, one notices…”

9. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) This habit makes your writing sound immature. A related problem: “The following quote will show…”

10. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) lame, weak commentary (“In my opinion…” “I think that…”) This habit makes your writing sound weak; it appears as if you are not very confident.

11. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) email & text jargon lame, weak commentary (“In my opinion…” “I think that…”) You might be shocked to see how many English students let this habit slip into their academic papers! 2 ≠ to 4 ≠ for u ≠ you r ≠ are

12. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) email & text jargon lame, weak commentary (“In my opinion…” “I think that…”) vague descriptors (“good” “bad” etc.) Use descriptors that…you know…describe. What do you MEAN by “good” or “bad”?

13. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) email & text jargon lame, weak commentary (“In my opinion…” “I think that…”) vague descriptors (“good” “bad” etc.) “things”/ “stuff” Use a specific, precise, descriptive noun.

14. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) email & text jargon lame, weak commentary (“In my opinion…” “I think that…”) vague descriptors (“good” “bad” etc.) “things”/ “stuff” “big” Do not use “big” (or “large” or “huge”) when you really mean “important,” “key,” “influential,” or “main.”

15. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) email & text jargon lame, weak commentary (“In my opinion…” “I think that…”) vague descriptors (“good” “bad” etc.) “things”/ “stuff” “big” “majorly” “Majorly” is a slang use that has become common in speech, but is not OK in formal writing.

16. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) email & text jargon lame, weak commentary (“In my opinion…” “I think that…”) vague descriptors (“good” “bad” etc.) “things”/ “stuff” “big” “majorly” These are vague adverbs. Replace them with more precise, descriptive words. very hungry = famished really tired = exhausted very honest = candid “very” / “really”

17. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) email & text jargon lame, weak commentary (“In my opinion…” “I think that…”) vague descriptors (“good” “bad” etc.) “things”/ “stuff” “big” “majorly” “very” / “really” etc. … Do not end a sentence or list of items with etc. or an ellipsis (…).

18. WORD TRASH slang terms symbols instead of words (ex: & or @) first person POV (unless it’s a personal essay) “you” (second person POV) talking about the paper IN the paper (“This essay will show…”) email & text jargon lame, weak commentary (“In my opinion…” “I think that…”) vague descriptors (“good” “bad” etc.) “things”/ “stuff” “big” “majorly” “very” / “really” etc. …