MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR A WRITTEN COMPOSITION
(For Ms. Hart, a written composition consists of anything put on paper, whether in notebook or looseleaf, for her to see!)
NO BOOGERS
- All written compositions should use the documentation style of the Modern Language Association (MLA), recently updated in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th ed., 2009).
- Indent the first sentence of each paragraph. If typed, paragraphs are indented 1/2 inch. Do NOT skip extra lines between paragraphs. If hand written, indent two fingers or tip to joint.
- Do NOT write on back of paper.
- Include a topic sentence and a concluding sentence for each paragraph.
- Capitalize the first word of each sentence.
- Punctuate the end of each sentence appropriately. Make the punctuation mark dark enough. Make a point to note if the very last sentence of the composition has a punctuation mark. Be sure to make a period like an egg, and a comma look like a sperm.
- Write complete sentences. No run-ons or fragments.
- Do NOT use contractions.
- Do NOT use abbreviations.
- Do NOT use the words “a lot.” This is considered the written “a” word.
- Avoid the use of second person. Second person is any form of you (you, your, yours).
- Use formal language. NO BOOGERS.
- Use appropriate voice.
- Write out numbers. Write out percentages. Do NOT write out dates. (Yes, there is a rule for writing numbers, but Ms. Hart cares more about the writer knowing how to spell numbers and when to hyphenate numbers!)
- Relate all sentences in each paragraph to the topic sentence of that paragraph.
- Write legibly. If it is not readable BY THE TEACHER, points will be deducted.
- ALL stages of the writing process must be written on loose-leaf paper in BLACK or BLUE INK.
- Keep a right hand margin of approximately one inch. In other words, do NOT pass the pink line. Avoid hyphenating words.
- Staple pages together in the upper left-hand corner.
- The final copy goes on top. The rough draft goes behind the final copy. The pre-writing notes go behind the rough draft. The paper will not be graded without a rough draft if stated.
- A paragraph is at least five sentences. A good paragraph should have eight to ten to twelve sentences, which is about one hundred and fifty words. When counting words, do not count the articles “a, an, the.”
- No thunderclouds! Liquid paper may be used as long as whole lines or whole paragraphs are not whited out.
- When attempting to use vocabulary words for bonus, be sure to highlight the vocabulary word/words with a pink highlighter. Bonus vocabulary words must be spelled and used correctly. A vocabulary word will only be given credit one time per composition.