Pointers

• Please copy “Pointers” into the “Writing Process” section of your notebook.

What Are Pointers?

• Pointers are words or things that cannot be used in an essay, unless from a directly cited source. Each time one is used, one percent is deducted from the score on your essay.

Words 1 – 10 (of 25)

1. cute2. nice3. stuff4. a lot5. All slang6. All contractions7. Confusing their, there, they’re8. should of (correct is should have) 9. would of (correct is would have)10. could of (correct is could have)

Words 11 – 15 (of 25)

11. you (find another noun or pronoun as a substitute)

12. Starting a sentence with “because,” “and,” “but,” “nor,” and “so”

13. Using numbers instead of words for numbers under 100. Exceptions: date and time.

14. o.k. or okay 15. etc. or etcetera

Items 16 - 25 (of 25)

16. Any abbreviation17. Using “said” more than twice in an essay18. Confusing two, too, and to19. Confusing were, we’re, and where 20. Confusing your and you’re21. Using a slash as punctuation22. “In conclusion” “In closing” etc.23. this shows24. no matter25. Using author’s or source’s first name