Writing checklist: Communicating your ideas clearly

Two dozen ways to improve your writing (said a bit facetiously)

Southern Nazarene University emphasizes good writing skills. We've sometimes used the phrase "writing across the curriculum" to describe the commitment of the entire faculty to helping students become articulate writers. Following good grammar rules is important in that process.

Student papers in Howard Culbertson's classes will be graded on writing technique and grammar as well as content. Before you turn in an assignment, go over it carefully. View each writing assignment as a chance to improve your ability to express yourself clearly and effectively.

Do you like irony? If so, here are two dozen tongue-in-cheek writing rules. Use this humorous checklist to eliminate writing problems.

1. Don't use no double negatives.
2. About them sentence fragments.
3. Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
4. Between you and I, case is important.
5. Do not submit writing assignments in email or phone text format - thx!
6. Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.
7. Use your apostrophe's correctly. Omit the apostrophe when its not needed.
8. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
9. Of course, if any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
10. Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.
11. A writer must not shift your point of view.
12. Avoid clich‚slike the plague. They're old hat. So, go around the barn at high noon to avoid clich‚s and colloquialisms.
13. Do not be redundant and keep repeating yourself; do not use more words than necessary; eliminate the superfluous in your writing.
14. One should NEVER generalize.
15. Be more or less specific.
16. And avoid starting sentences with a conjunction.
17. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
18. Don't use commas, that are not necessary. Parenthetical words however should be enclosed in commas.
19. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed. So, take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.
20. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
21. Be careful to use the write homonym.
22. DO NOT use multiple exclamation points and all caps to EMPHASIZE a point!!!!!!!!
23. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement. Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth earth-shaking ideas.
24. Proofread your writing to see if you any words out.

In a more serious tone . . .

Essay evaluation checklist: Does your written assignment measure up?

A rubric for grading papers . . . and for improving them before handing them in

While this list was developed for use at the college level, it can also be useful for high school classes.

What are teachers looking for? Use this checklist to evaluate your writing before submitting it.

Title

• If the instructions call for a title page, do you have one?
• Is your name on the paper?

Organization and development

• Did you follow all assignment directions?
• Would your introduction entice a reader to start reading and to continue?
• Does your thesis or main point clearly shine through?
• Is the essay appropriately written for the audience you have in mind (even if that audience is just the course instructor)?
• Do thoughts and ideas unfold orderly and logically?
• Do any sentences seem out of order or unrelated to the ones immediately before them? If so, do some re-writing to give your line of reasoning a natural flow.
• Are paragraphs well developed without being too long?
• Are important points illustrated by examples?
• Does the content indicate original thinking and reasoning?
• Is there a satisfactory concluding paragraph?

Grammar and technique

• Are sentences clear, mature, and smooth?
• Are there any confusing or unclear words?
• Have you correctly used homonyms such as its/it's, their/there, here/hear?
• Has punctuation been checked for errors such as unneeded commas, comma splices and run-on sentences?
• Have you checked your diction or manner of expression to make sure it is appropriate and not too colloquial?
• Have you checked for agreement between pronoun antecedents or references and the pronouns being used?
• Have you checked for misspelled words? Don't forget that sometimes spell-checkers sometimes suggest wrong words. So, make sure when you click "replace" that you are inserting the correct word.
• Are all resources properly cited?

Here is a "money-back guarantee" for you: The conscientious use of this rubric as a checklist prior to turning in a written assignment will improve your grade.

    -- Howard Culbertson

Additional writing help

• Proofreading for better grades
• Why a bibliography page?
• How to cite internet sources in your papers

"The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver." -- Probers 25:11 (Common English Version)

How to write well on assignments:    Getting better grades    Bibliography pages     Cheating consequences     Documenting quotes     Doing PowerPoint    Evaluation criteria    Exam study guides    Fixing writing problems    Working / studying in groups    Listen well to lectures or even sermons     One bite at a time     What is a syllabus     Teacher/student contract    Want better grades?

News writing seminar    Volunteering overseas for a year     Are the heathen lost? Answers to an oft-asked question    10/40 Window explanation and map     Do you have a missions call?     African martyr's commitment     Mission trip fundraising     Ten ways to ruin your mission trip     PowerPoint presentations used in classes and other venues    Nazarene Missions International resources