THE GRADE SAVER SHEET

  1. Numbers of one or two words should be written in words. Numbers of more than two words should be written in numerals, but in dates, addresses, and telling time use numerals. (pages 496-497)
  2. Do not overuse the comma. When in doubt, leave it out. (pages 521-536)
  3. Never have a comma splice or a run-on sentence. This occurs when two independent clauses are joined either by nothing or just a comma. (pages 202-203) Use instead: (A) a period and a capital (B) a comma WITH a conjunction (C) a semicolon, if the two sentences are closely related in content.
  4. Use a colon for a listing of three or more items, except when the list comes immediately after a verb or a preposition. (page 539) Use a semicolon between two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. (page 537)
  5. Spell every word correctly. One should not use words that he cannot spell. -10 points first semester and -20 points second semester.
  6. Use no contractions. Omit them unless they appear in direct quotes.
  7. Underline titles of books, novels, novelettes, newspapers, magazines, full length plays, ships, trains, planes, works of art, long narrative poems, pamphlets, movies, and television shows. (page 541) "Quote" titles of short stories, short poems, essays, articles, chapters, short plays, cartoons, brochures, songs, and a specific show of a television series.
  8. Avoid the use of the pronoun "YOU." Unless called for, omit the use of the first person (I, me). Do not use "YOUR." Use "a person," "one," "an individual," "everybody."
  9. Do not use the pronouns "IT" or "THEY" with the meaning being unclear or ambiguous unless writing about the time, the weather, or "IT SEEMS." (page 228) To use "IT" as an expletive is correct. (page 26)
  10. Never have a one sentence paragraph. A paragraph is defined as a GROUP of sentences on a single topic or idea, except in writing dialogue.
  11. Never use the phrase "a lot" when you mean "a great deal" or "very much." "A lot" is a piece of property with specific dimensions and "allot" means to distribute or assign.
  12. Avoid shifting tense. When beginning in the present tense, keep all sentences in the present tense; when you begin in past, stay in past.
  13. Use the pronoun "WHO" instead of "THAT" or "WHICH" when referring to people. "THAT" and "WHICH" are used to refer to objects and animals.
  14. (A) Check all words that need capitalization. (pages 503-516; school subjects, page 510) (B) Check all words that need a hyphen, ESPECIALLY compound adjectives modifying a noun. (pages 551-552)
  15. Use the apostrophe correctly. Use 's to form the singular possessive form of nouns. To form the possessive of a plural noun ending in "s", add only an apostrophe. (page 547-548) Remember that "IT'S" is the contraction for "IT IS" and "ITS" is the possessive pronoun.
  16. Check carefully all pronouns and antecedent agreements. Pronouns agree with their antecedents in gender and number. The following words are referred to by a singular pronoun: EACH, EITHER, NEITHER, ONE, EVERYONE, EVERYBODY, NO ONE, NOBODY, ANYONE, ANYBODY, SOMEONE, SOMEBODY, and MUCH. (pages 99-100)
  17. Omit any slang unless in direct quoting. To quote certain words for emphasis is correct.
  18. Never end an independent clause with a preposition. Use "to whom" or "in which" or "for which" phrases in the middle of the sentence instead. A dependent clause or a phrase coming in the middle of the sentence should be phrased in the same way. Every preposition should have an object.
  19. Begin the title of your theme on the TOP blue line of your paper, centering it correctly. Skip one line before the first sentence begins, indent one inch, and begin. DO NOT SKIP LINES BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS.
  20. Always be sure to number page two in the UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER of the paper. Your name is needed on page one only. Pages TWO AND ON ARE NUMBERED ALWAYS.