​1. Follow Capitalization Rules

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• Capitalize all proper nouns, proper adjectives, and the pronoun “I.” 

• Do NOT capitalize common nouns and common adjectives

​Examples of Correct Capitalization

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NOTE: All proper nouns and adjectives below are capitalized, but the common nouns and adjectives are lower-case.

• My dad is an accountant.

• Please ask Dad if he borrowed my Russian deodorant.

• My mom loves Italian cars, and my grandpa loves Mexican food.

​2. Avoid Fragments (Frag)

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Every sentence that you write must express a complete thought and must contain at least one independent clause (one subject-verb combination that can stand alone).

• FRAGMENT/INCORRECT: Mr. Robel is tired. Because he stayed up all night doing homework.

  CORRECT: Mr. Robel is tired because he stayed up all night doing homework.

3. Avoid Run-On Sentences (ROS)

A run-on sentence (ROS ) is two independent clauses with no punctuation joining them at all.

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• To fix a ROS, usually you can place a period where one independent clause ends and the next independent clause begins.

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  RUN-ON: I thought the ride would never end my eyes were crossed, and my fingers were numb.

  CORRECT: I thought the ride would never end. My eyes were crossed, and my fingers were numb.

​Avoid ROS - Part 2

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If the two independent clauses are related, you can also join them with a semicolon (;) in place of a period.

• ROS: Almost no one goes out to eat there anymore it is simply too expensive.

  CORRECT: Almost no one goes out to eat there anymore; it is simply too expensive.

​4. Use commas to join 3 or more items in a series

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• INCORRECT: My cousin sent me a pair of ice skates a fishing pole and a tool set.

• CORRECT: My cousin sent me a pair of ice skates, a fishing pole, and a tool set.

​Always use the Oxford Comma (directly before the "and") to avoid misunderstandings.

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• INCORRECT: She took a photograph of her two best friends, the president and the vice president. (It sounds as if the speaker’s two best friends are the president and the vice president.)

  CORRECT: She took a photograph of her two best friends, the president, and the vice president. (She took a photograph of four people.)

​Another necessary Oxford comma...

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• INCORRECT: I admire my parents, Lady Gaga and Colin Kaepernick. (It sounds as if the speaker’s parents are Lady Gaga and Colin Kaepernick.)

• CORRECT: I admire my parents, Lady Gaga, and Colin Kaepernick. (The speaker admires four people.)

5. Avoid the Indefinite “IT”

In formal writing, don't use the indefinite IT, which doesn't clearly stand for anything. CUT this unnecessary "it" and instead give the sentence a CLEAR SUBJECT.

• INCORRECT: In Max Steele's short story "The Cat and the Coffee Drinkers," it focuses on a year in Miss Effie Barr's kindergarten.

• CORRECT: Max Steele's short story "The Cat and the Coffee Drinkers"  focuses on a year in Miss Effie Barr's kindergarten.

6. Don’t use the word “quote” when writing about textual evidence.

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  AVOID using the word "quote" as a noun in your essays. Instead, use a more precise noun, such as "evidence," "scene," "passage," "event," "action," "statement," "detail," "description," etc.

• INCORRECT: This quote reveals that Miss Effie decides not to shelter the children from the truth about Mr. Thomas.

• CORRECT: This conversation reveals that Miss Effie decides not to shelter the children from the truth about Mr. Thomas.