Remove Unnecessary LanguageRemove Unnecessary Language

Eliminate empty expressionsEliminate empty expressions Remove redundancy (unnecessary Remove redundancy (unnecessary

repetition of ideas or phrasesrepetition of ideas or phrases Condense wordy sentencesCondense wordy sentences

Use Specific LanguageUse Specific Language

Use active verbs that describe or Use active verbs that describe or accurately name the actionaccurately name the action

Replace weak or inaccurate nounsReplace weak or inaccurate nouns Do not add unnecessary modifiers Do not add unnecessary modifiers

when sharper nouns and verbs will when sharper nouns and verbs will workwork

ExampleExample

The man looked at the crowd and waved.The man looked at the crowd and waved.

The tennis player glared at the spectators The tennis player glared at the spectators and shook his fist.and shook his fist.

The actor gazed at the audience and bowed.The actor gazed at the audience and bowed.

Check for FragmentsCheck for Fragments

Add the missing subject or verb to Add the missing subject or verb to make a complete sentencemake a complete sentence

Attach the fragment to the previous Attach the fragment to the previous sentencesentence

Hint: read your paper backwards Hint: read your paper backwards sentence by sentence to spot fragmentssentence by sentence to spot fragments

Use a variety of sentence lengthsUse a variety of sentence lengths

Check for Run On SentencesCheck for Run On Sentences

Break a run-on into two Break a run-on into two sentencessentences

Insert a semi-colon to divide Insert a semi-colon to divide two main clausestwo main clauses

Add a coordinating conjunction Add a coordinating conjunction between the two main clausesbetween the two main clauses

Check all PronounsCheck all Pronouns

Eliminate incorrect shifts in personEliminate incorrect shifts in person Remove any use of second person Remove any use of second person

(you)(you) Remove a pronoun with unclear Remove a pronoun with unclear

antecedentantecedent Make the pronoun and the Make the pronoun and the

antecedent agree in gender and antecedent agree in gender and numbernumber

Use Correct Pronoun CaseUse Correct Pronoun Case

Use a subject pronoun (I, you, he, she, it, Use a subject pronoun (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) for the subject or predicate nounwe, they) for the subject or predicate noun

Use an object pronoun (me, you, him, her, Use an object pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) for a direct object or the object it, us, them) for a direct object or the object of a prepositionof a preposition

Possessive PronounsPossessive Pronouns

Use a possessive pronoun (my, mine, your, Use a possessive pronoun (my, mine, your, yours, his, hers, its, their, theirs) to replace yours, his, hers, its, their, theirs) to replace any possessive noun.any possessive noun.

Examples: Bill and I will go with you and Examples: Bill and I will go with you and her to the party. Give his paper to them. her to the party. Give his paper to them. Neither you nor I will have time to give her Neither you nor I will have time to give her this work.this work.

Check Verb UseCheck Verb Use

Avoid unnecessary shifts in tense Avoid unnecessary shifts in tense from present to pastfrom present to past

Be sure to use the correct verb Be sure to use the correct verb endingsendings

Make the subject and verb agree in Make the subject and verb agree in number; the number of the subject number; the number of the subject determines the number of the verbdetermines the number of the verb

Check for Common Spelling Check for Common Spelling ErrorsErrors

Too, to, twoToo, to, twoTheir, there they’reTheir, there they’reAffect, effectAffect, effect

Check the Body ParagraphsCheck the Body Paragraphs

Each paragraph should be unified Each paragraph should be unified with a clear topicwith a clear topic

The order is appropriate and The order is appropriate and logicallogical

Appropriate transitions are blended Appropriate transitions are blended inin

Counterarguments are consideredCounterarguments are considered