Common Writing Errors and Class Goals

Our writing goals, as a class, are to never use "I" or "you" and to avoid plot summary. Here are some other helpful hints for writing.

Plot summary – Ex. You have one minute to tell me why you should be able to have Ipods in class while writing essays or doing solitary work.

You must get to the point. Plot summary reveals nothing about the novel, controlling idea, or your thesis. Use the book as a tool.

One sentence is ok, but sentences are not.

“I” and “You” and “We” – Never, ever, ever. You are the expert, act like it. “I” statements are extraneous and weak. And you – you who?

Be Specific.
Being specific does not mean plot summarizing. Use quotes. Always, always, always support your thesis. You are not proving you read the book, you are taking a stand on author’s purpose and proving you are right.

DO NOT USE MANY!!!!!

Many literary elements add to author’s purpose. SO WHAT!!!
This could be interpreted…. Yeah, so could a lot of things.

Many characters have an affect on the main character. SO WHAT!!!


Awkward sentences. Read your work over aloud. Even if people think you are crazy!!! If it sounds weird, it is. Don’t try to make your writing better by using words you don’t understand. Our writing voice should be similar to our speaking voice.

Ex. Setting is shown in Ryan White My Story because where Ryan lives affects who he is.

Ex. Ryan White shows this very well once he has gotten A.I.D.S.

Ex. Due to where Ryan lived which was in the Mid-west people judged him wrongly about his disease.

Ex. Can be seen/ can be proven true/ Contributed greatly –
Turn this into reveals/illustrates/ illuminates


You must connect back to your thesis. Must, must, must and use lit/ elements to do so.