DO					

Proofread 
Visit the Communications Skills Center for help
Try reading your paper out loud		
Use 12pt Times New Roman and double space
Keep the margins at 1''
Use the formatting guide for page number help
Also use the guide for MLA title page format
Center the title 
Make the title interesting
Be original
Brainstorm before starting to write
Make an outline before starting to write
Watch out for their/they’re/there, its/it’s, to/too  
Use “I” if appropriate
Re-write the introduction after you’re finished
Especially re-write the thesis statement
Start with an attention-grabber 
Use specific examples 
Write clearly
Cut extra words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs 
“Quotes,” he said, “look like this” (Frank 1).
Cite unless it's common knowledge or your idea 
Think!

DON’T

Have someone else proofread for you 

Hand the paper in without reading it at all
Include extra space between paragraphs

Underline, bold, or put quotes around the title

Announce what you’re going to write about

Stick too closely to the outline

Use “you”

Be vague

Try to make your writing sound "fancy"
Avoid making cuts to your paper 

YELL or use exclamation points!
Use clichés or slang
Ask rhetorical questions
Start sentences with –ing verbs 
Use the phrases "the fact that" or "it is obvious"
Use the words “everyone”, “anyone”, “no one”, “always”, “never”, “impossible”, “nowhere”, or “nothing”
Use a form of the word "prove" when referring to research (instead of saying "proves," say, "shows," "supports," or "suggests")
Be afraid to ignore these suggestions