Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Attention All Classes. Essays Due Soon. Here are the Guidelines.

This is a friendly reminder that you have essays due on Friday, December 10. Since Science Fair is next week, you should be working on these essays now instead of later. Believe me, you'll be sorry if you wait. Essays must include all of the following requirements:

  • Typed
    • All fonts should be 12pt and look professional (no Comic Sans or Script fonts)
  • Heading
    • Single Spaced
    • Right Aligned
    • Must be typed. Do not pencil it in at the last minute.
  • Title
    • Centered
    • Bold
    • 12 pt professional font
  • Essay Text
    • All paragraphs should have a first line indent of .5"
    • 12 pt professional font
    • Double Spaced
      • Highlight text
      • Right click
      • Choose Paragraph
      • Set line spacing to Double (Before and After should be set at 0)
  • Other things to remember
- No color. Black print on white paper only.
- Do not pencil in corrections at the last minute. Correct and reprint.
- Staple or paper clip pages together. Do not tape them.
- No cover pages.

Also, don't forget:
  • Spell checks
    • Automatic
    • Self check
  • Read your essay out loud to check for incomplete sentences and other grammar errors.
  • Numbers less than one hundred should be spelled out. Don't use digits.
  • Round numbers should be spelled, too. (two thousand, fifty-five thousand, etc.)
  • Titles should be italicized (should only apply to 6th and 8th grades this time. Twelfth Night, The Wandering of Odysseus, or Black Ships Before Troy)
  • Use specific and varied language. Limit pronouns. Don't be repeptitive.
  • Eliminate contractions. Do not use them in your writing. (example: don't, can't, won't, he's, etc.)
  • Pictures are not allowed.

Problems with technology will not be excused for being turned in late, even if you have a note from a parent. If your printer breaks, you can email your essay to me or to your school email address to print at school. Please use email only in an emergency situation. Don't forget to save your work often and in multiple places (like a flash drive and the hard drive) so you don't lose it.

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