HOW TO WRITE A SUPER PAPER
Ms. Miller’s Guide for both the Writing Impaired/Challenged and the Literary Geniuses
The Checklist
•	I have a strong introductory paragraph that includes the author and title of the work.  Refer to author by LAST NAME in subsequent references.
•	My introduction has a clear thesis that poses a challenge.  Do not “introduce” paper topic.

Check-Check 2 3 4
•	I have 3-5 paragraphs in my body.
•	Each paragraph has at least4 sentences
•	Each paragraph is linked and has a strong topic sentence.
•	There are logical connections between paragraphs. (No jumping from squirrels to ice cream.)
My Checklist
•	Each paragraph has a topic sentence and two examples.
•	Ms. Miller says, “NO QUOTE STANDS ALONE, NO QUOTE STANDS ALONE. THEY’RE NOT A HUNK OF STINKY CHEESE, NO QUOTE STANDS ALONE,” (Miller 757).
There’s MORE??????? YES!!!!
•	Each quotation is explained and supported Summarize the significance of quotations.
•	I have a conclusion paragraph that reiterates the main points of the paper in slightly different words (Say it again.) AVOID “IN CONCLUSION” or “IN CLOSING.”  
•	My conclusion paragraph ends with a clincher sentence.  
And the beat goes on...
•	I proopfread my paper to make sure it is free of typpoooss and that it ain’t got no grammar errors.
•	Literature is discussed in the present tense.
•	The language and tone are appropriate for my subject, purpose, and audience.
•	Unless instructed, I have kept all personal pronouns out of my paper.
Biggest Misses	
•	Do not end sentences with prepositions (about, in, on, around, across, by…)
•	Literature is discussed in the present tense
•	Do not include personal pronouns (I,you…)
•	Do not use contractions or abbreviations
•	Do not begin sentences with And, So, Because, But
More Boo-Boos that Lead to Boo-Hoos
•	Make sentences active.  Watch out for “is” and “was” overusage
•	BE DEFINITIVE, not wishy-washy
•	DO NOT SUMMARIZE what you have read.  Assume the reader knows the material. Make a key point and back it up with quotations. (Quote=a verb, Quotation=Noun)
Did you follow directions?
•	Must be typed, normal font size and color
•	Double spaced
•	Proper margins
•	Rough draft is included if necessary
HEY LOOK MA, I GOT AN 
A+