Formal Writing Rules

1. Titles

Always include a creative/original title that sets it apart from others

Do not use the topic as a title

Do not underline or use quotation marks around YOUR title

Capitalize appropriate words

Boring examples

Three Reasons to Read The Great Gatsby

The Most Significant Moment in my Life

The Pros and Cons of School Uniforms

Memorable Titles

Green Eggs and Hamlet (notice when referring to published work in a title, it is underlined)

Shakespearean, Not Stirred

2. Ink

For a final draft, always use blue or black ink.

Never use pencil or other “cute” colors.

If typing, make sure is black ink and 10-12 font (TIMES NEW ROMAN or COURIER)

Many people love to read stories.

Others prefer to watch movies.

3. Informal announcements

Avoid informal announcements such as:

In my paper I will tell how I feel about freedom.

In my essay you will learn about reaching your goals.

4. Voice

Always use active voice.

Avoid passive voice.

The ball was thrown by Billy. PASSIVE

Billy threw the ball. ACTIVE

5. Second person pronouns

Avoid using any form of you.

No you, your, you’re, yours, yourself, or yous guys

You should read every day.

One should read every day. (One can usually replace you)

6. Shortcuts

Avoid contractions, symbols, and/or abbreviations

Sally can’t believe her BF is moving to TX & that he won’t reconsider remaining in Miss.

Sally cannot believe her boyfriend is moving to Texas and that he will not reconsider remaining in Mississippi.

7. Informal language

Avoid using slang, idioms, jargon, clichés, and casual language in formal writing.

BTW, my boo is HOT, or you could say she is as pretty as a picture.

By the way, my girlfriend is attractive, or one could say she is quite beautiful.

If an example of this or these must be used, use quotation marks around the word or phrase. He sucks at making a decision, so when he came to a fork, he

folded.

He is weak in making decisions, so when he came to a moment in his life where a difficult choice must be made, he “folded.”

8. Sentence Endings

Avoid ending a sentence (or a question) with a preposition.

Where is he at?

Where is he?

Do not forget to turn the essay in.

Do not forget to submit the essay.

9. Sentence beginnings

Avoid beginning a sentence with the coordination conjunctions (FANBOYS)

Either combine sentences or find another way to begin the sentence.

Sammy wanted to leave. But she really liked the movie.

Sammy wanted to leave, but she really liked the movie.

10. “TH” words

Avoid beginning sentences with There

Avoid using this, that, these, those as SUBJECTS

There are many reasons to shop early.

Many reasons to shop early exist.

This boy is mean. THIS IS AN ADJECTIVE HERE

These are my favorite.

11. Vocabulary

Avoid tired, vague words.

Avoid elementary-level language.

Use specific antecedents, vivid adjectives and verbs, and high-school level vocabulary.

It is a lot of work to write a good essay.

Much work must be put forth to produce quality essays.

12. Transitions

Use transitions to improve flow.

Avoid just listing thoughts without connecting ideas.

Some examples include, but not limited to first, then, however, and on the other hand

Tammy went to the store. She forgot her wallet. She went back home.

Tammy went to the store; however, she forgot her wallet. Reluctantly, she went back home.

13. Repetitive beginnings

Avoid using the same sentence structure throughout a paper.

Vary sentences, subjects, and words all together.

Tom ate pizza. He enjoyed it very much. He received much pleasure from the meal. He was finally satisfied.

Enjoying it a significant amount, Tom ate pizza, which was quite satisfying. He received much pleasure from the meal.

14. Faulty constructions

Avoid faulty constructions and common usage errors.

He is suppose to be there.

He is supposed to be there.

She use to work much harder.

She used to work much harder.

The reason he likes football is because of his father.

The reason he likes football is that his father influence him.

15. Tense

Stay in the same tense throughout the writing piece

The boys lied to the teacher, and the girls tell the truth.

The boys lied to the teacher, and the girls told the truth.

16. MLA Format

Use MLA (Modern Language Association) format

Skip lines (between everything)

Include the heading

Do not write on the back

Example