The basic requirements for all papers:

1. The entire paper is only double-spaced

2. The size of the type is only 12 point

3. The font is only Arial or Times-Roman

4. There is no bold face or italics in any part of the paper whatsoever

5. In the upper right hand corner, every page should have your name and the page number (e.g. Smith 2)

6. The header goes in the upper left hand corner and is, of course, double spaced

Name

Teacher

9th Grade Literature and Composition

MM/DD/YY Paper is turned in

This is an organizational exercise. Your paper reads like it rambles without a 3-point thesis sentence in the opening paragraph. This sentence is usually at the end of the paragraph.

A three-point thesis sentence helps you organize your paper, focus on each thought, and tell your reader what it is about. Otherwise, you may ramble off topic and find yourself writing about how Zaroff and Montressor are alike before you get to your three main points.

Throwing something in the paper that has nothing to do with the topic of the paragraph

Making a point and not following up on it (e.g. “It’s important to note that Doodle died by the bleeding tree. His brother found him dead there and felt guilty about what he had done. Therefore, Brother killed Doodle.”) So what about the bleeding tree again?

You need to frame your paper. You do that by beginning and ending with the same points. Therefore, you must rewrite your initial thesis sentence in the first paragraph to provide this framework.

You pick a position and you stick to it. Therefore, you never use statements like “It seems…” or “I think…” or “It should be obvious…” Make your arguments solid by drawing a definite conclusion: “This is….” or “There is no doubt that…”

This is not a debate. Do not go back and forth on the issue even if it is for one sentence. Stick to your point only.