Ima Student (your name) Student 1
Mrs. Zarnas
English 9H
1 October 2011
Original Title (centered- NOT bold, NOT underlined, and NOT larger)
This is where you begin the essay. This is considered the first paragraph. After the
first line, you do not indent. Just be sure to indent each paragraph. You should bold-face
your central idea sentence. You should underline your thesis statement (3 parts- BUT
only 1 sentence.
This is the beginning of a second paragraph; notice that there is not extra space
skipped between paragraphs. ALL text in is 12-point Times New Roman font. If it is
not, I will not accept your paper. Also, if you paper is not double spaced, I will not
accept your paper. Your will have to turn it in one day late and receive a 10 point
penalty. All late papers lose 10 points a day, unless otherwise informed.
Upon handing in the essay, you need to staple the original grading rubric, NOT
the assignment sheet to the front of your essay, with your first and last name written
clearly on it. Failure to attach the rubric results in a loss of 5 points. This is teaching you
responsibility. A hint is to hole-punch your rubric and assignment sheet and keep them
safely stored in your class binder. Now flip to see the way to format other pages.
Student 2
As you can see, the top contains your last name and appropriate page number.
You can use header/page-numbering containing your last name and page number, but do
not use a header for the MLA on the left side of page one, which contains your name, etc.
This IS NOT to be featured on each page. You do not print on the backs of your paper. 1
side only! If you are required to use a works cited, follow the format below and start on a
BRAND NEW page. If your citation is more than one line, indent the 2nd line and any
line thereafter. Within your text, cite page numbers like this (Marcuse 111). No comma
between author’s last name and page number.
ESSAY HINTS
BRAINSTORM
Read the prompt carefully and look at your rubric to see how you’ll be evaluated
Write Neatly if in class, outside of class all work is typed in 12-point Times New Roman font,
double spaced
Underline the titles of books and plays; Quotations for title of short story, articles, or poems
Remember to use full title (ex- The Free Man, not just Free Man)
Include name of author/poet in Central Idea
Spell proper nouns correctly (characters, settings, etc.)—take the time to look back at the book!
Capitalize proper nouns
Make your thesis parallel in structure
Use consistent verb tense (example—preferred: ALL PRESENT TENSE)
THIRD PERSON ONLY (no I, you, we, us, etc.) Instead, say “one or the reader can see the change…”
Global beginning lead in and ending statement
Low style (do NOT introduce body paragraphs with first, second, next, etc.) Use sophisticated transitions (in
conclusion, furthermore, on the contrary, etc.)
Low style (do NOT say “this essay will prove…”)
Generalizations and assumptions “they treated Henner badly” (who is they????)
BE SPECIFIC
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Student 3
Work Cited
Marcuse, Sibyl. A Survey of Musical Instruments and Their Place in History.
New York: Harper, 2006. Print.