Revision/Rewrite

1.  Verbs:
     a.  Highlight/circle linking verbs and weak verbs:  am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, seem, appear, feel, get.  Edit/revise to eliminate or reduce the use of these verbs.
     b.  Edit/revise every sentence to eliminate passive voice (review handout on resources page)
     c.  Write in present tense.

2.  Read your essay aloud.

3.  Have another person read your essay to you.  Have them sign and date your essay.

4.  Review rules for when and how to use and cite quotations from other sources. 
     a.  You must show line breaks in poetry (use "/").
     b.  You must inset any quote that exceeds three lines.
     c.  You must follow proper MLA format.

5.  Perfect your heading, spacing, header, font, and works cited format.  You will use much the same information for every single assignment.  Do it right the first time, and you are free to focus on other areas of concern.