1. Deadlines are closer than they appear… Yours is FRIDAY. EDIT #2 Research Paper

2. Before we start… You will need your typed outline. You will need your typed outline. You will need 2 (different color) highlighters. You will need 2 (different color) highlighters. You will need a colored ink pen. You will need a colored ink pen. Don’t forget to make these changes tonight and bring a new copy to edit tomorrow. Don’t forget to make these changes tonight and bring a new copy to edit tomorrow.

3. Step 1: MLA Heading Check format Check format Your Name Your Name Ms. Clendenin Ms. Clendenin English II-1 English II-1 19 October 2012 19 October 2012

4. Step 2: Sentence Structure Highlight every sentence (Not line!) in your essay using alternating colors. Highlight every sentence (Not line!) in your essay using alternating colors. For example: If you use yellow for the first sentence, use orange for the second; alternating sentences following that pattern- yellow, orange, yellow, etc. For example: If you use yellow for the first sentence, use orange for the second; alternating sentences following that pattern- yellow, orange, yellow, etc. This allows you to look for variation in your sentence lengths, as well as run-on sentences and fragments. This allows you to look for variation in your sentence lengths, as well as run-on sentences and fragments. If you notice that your sentences are mostly the same length, try combining some of them to create complex sentences. Fix any run-ons or fragments that you discover. If you notice that your sentences are mostly the same length, try combining some of them to create complex sentences. Fix any run-ons or fragments that you discover.

5. Step 3: Sentence Start Put brackets [ ] around the first word in every sentence. Put brackets [ ] around the first word in every sentence. This shows you whether or not you’re beginning too many sentences the same way. Unless it’s for effect, try not to start several consecutive sentences the same way. This shows you whether or not you’re beginning too many sentences the same way. Unless it’s for effect, try not to start several consecutive sentences the same way. If you discover that you’ve begun several sentences the same way, find ways to change some of them. If you discover that you’ve begun several sentences the same way, find ways to change some of them. Also check to make sure your sentences do not start with AND, BUT, or BECAUSE. Also check to make sure your sentences do not start with AND, BUT, or BECAUSE.

6. Step 4: Be Verbs Circle all “Be Verbs” in your essay. Circle all “Be Verbs” in your essay. am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been “Be Verbs” are passive and can make your writing sound weak. As often as possible, use action verbs to make your writing more alive. “Be Verbs” are passive and can make your writing sound weak. As often as possible, use action verbs to make your writing more alive. Add up the total # of “Be Verbs” in your essay. Write this number on the top of the outline. Change 1/2 of them into action verbs. Again, this may mean re-wording some sentences. Add up the total # of “Be Verbs” in your essay. Write this number on the top of the outline. Change 1/2 of them into action verbs. Again, this may mean re-wording some sentences.

7. Step 5: Spelling/ WWC Start from the last word and read the outline backwards. Start from the last word and read the outline backwards. Look for spelling errors as you read! Look for spelling errors as you read! Circle any errors. If you’re not sure, circle! Circle any errors. If you’re not sure, circle! Look for poor word choice and contractions. Look for poor word choice and contractions. goodkinda/kind of goodkinda/kind of badtill badtill gonnaa lot (2 words!) gonnaa lot (2 words!)

8. Step 6: Spell out numbers. Number check. Number check. Look for any numbers 1-100 that are not in quotes. Look for any numbers 1-100 that are not in quotes. Circle them. Circle them. This lets you see where you have written numbers less than 100. This lets you see where you have written numbers less than 100. You need to spell them out (twenty- five, one hundred, ten etc.) You need to spell them out (twenty- five, one hundred, ten etc.)

9. Step 7: Third person First person: I, me, my, mine, etc. First person: I, me, my, mine, etc. Second person: you, your, you’re, us, etc. Second person: you, your, you’re, us, etc. Put brackets [ ] around all first & second person words. Put brackets [ ] around all first & second person words. Eliminate them. Eliminate them.

10. Step 8: Contractions Circle all of your contractions Circle all of your contractions Don’t, can’t, didn’t etc… Don’t, can’t, didn’t etc… You must type them out You must type them out Do not, cannot, did not Do not, cannot, did not This is a formal essay. This is a formal essay. These must be removed by tomorrow! These must be removed by tomorrow!

11. Step 9: Works Cited Make sure Works Cited is on a separate page. Make sure Works Cited is on a separate page. Do you have at least 3 entries? Do you have at least 3 entries? Are they alphabetized? If not, write the number order they should go in. Are they alphabetized? If not, write the number order they should go in. Do all entries have a hanging indent? Do all entries have a hanging indent?

12. Step 10: Make changes Go home and FIX the items that you have identified that need a change. Go home and FIX the items that you have identified that need a change. This does you no good if you do not take the time to change these things. This does you no good if you do not take the time to change these things.