Rules of Formal WritingRules of Formal Writing

How to sound smarter than How to sound smarter than you areyou are

FormatFormat

Provide a title page Provide a title page (see next slide as (see next slide as example, be sure example, be sure to double space to double space items)items)

Double spaceDouble space 12 pt font size (14 12 pt font size (14

for Mrs. Alexandre)for Mrs. Alexandre) Times New RomanTimes New Roman Standard marginsStandard margins

Number pages Number pages after the firstafter the first

Word counts do not Word counts do not include title page, include title page, references or references or appendicesappendices

Be consistentBe consistent

The Moral Economy of the English The Moral Economy of the English Crowd: Price Fixing Riots of the Crowd: Price Fixing Riots of the

Late Middle AgesLate Middle AgesBy: Cam StoneBy: Cam StoneFor: Prof. FrinkFor: Prof. Frink

HWC 3MHWC 3MJanuary 20, 2009January 20, 2009

Thorold Secondary SchoolThorold Secondary School

StyleStyle

Use proper Use proper paragraphsparagraphs

Clearly state your Clearly state your position or thesisposition or thesis

Use transitionsUse transitions Be clear with your Be clear with your

antecedentsantecedents Use a thesaurusUse a thesaurus Include details and Include details and

specific informationspecific information

Be precise with your Be precise with your vocabularyvocabulary

Refer to people by Refer to people by their last nametheir last name

Be consistent with Be consistent with your verb tensesyour verb tenses

Use complete Use complete sentencessentences

Stay in “formal” voiceStay in “formal” voice

The “Do Not” ListThe “Do Not” List

No contractions (can’t, won’t …)No contractions (can’t, won’t …) No personal pronouns (I, you, we …)No personal pronouns (I, you, we …) No slang, sloppy language, swearingNo slang, sloppy language, swearing No bracketsNo brackets No short forms (common acronyms are No short forms (common acronyms are

acceptable after identifying – NASA)acceptable after identifying – NASA) Do not use the words: a lot, alot, nice, Do not use the words: a lot, alot, nice,

happy, sad, things, stuff…happy, sad, things, stuff…

NumbersNumbers

In general, use numerals if it is more In general, use numerals if it is more than two wordsthan two words

Use numerals for the following: Use numerals for the following: dates, addressesdates, addresses

Never start a sentence with a Never start a sentence with a numeralnumeral

Use words for agesUse words for ages

General InformationGeneral Information

Start first page about six single lines Start first page about six single lines lower than other pageslower than other pages

Names and acronyms: use full form Names and acronyms: use full form first and last name thereafterfirst and last name thereafter

Edit your work!!!Edit your work!!! Explain your evidence!!!Explain your evidence!!! Relate all evidence to your position Relate all evidence to your position

or thesis!!!or thesis!!!