Mel's Writing Checklist - Basic Guidelines

Mel’s Writing Checklist

 Basic Guidelines

1.      I don’t use contractions, do I?

In scholarly writing (what you’re doing for your classes!), contractions are officially outlawed.

Example:

Don’t: Romeo and Juliet isn’t a happy story because the main characters don’t survive.

Do: Romeo and Juliet is not a happy story because the main characters do not survive.

2.     Did I use Times New Roman, font size 12?

Generally speaking, everyone knows they can’t pick festive fonts for their research papers. However, for those of you who use Microsoft Word it can be a bit tricky. The default font is not Times New Roman—it is Calibri, size 11. Also keep in mind: when you are doing your MLA page number heading, don’t forget to change that font and size too!

3.      Did I spell numbers, like 1 and 5?

According to the MLA Handbook, you spell out numbers that are two words long (one, five, thirty-two, eight thousand). If it is longer than two words, you use the numerals (4,234 and 104)—unless the number is the first word of the sentence!

Example:

Don’t: William Shakespeare wrote 10 tragedies, 17 comedies, and 10 histories.

Do: William Shakespeare wrote ten tragedies, seventeen comedies, and ten histories.