Name: _____________________________ Date: __________ Block: ____
Style Sheet for Formal Writing
page -1-
Style is the effective arrangement of words to formal standards. The following
are some of the common rules for style, which should be followed when writing any
type of paper for this class.
1.
Whenever possible, use the active voice instead of the passive voice. Active
voice includes actions verbs. Passive Voice includes linking verbs.
Active Voice:
The dog ate the bone.
Students require instruction in the usage of active voice.
Passive Voice: The bone was eaten by the dog.
Active voice is required by students and seems to need
instruction.
2.
In the list of three or more items, it is preferable to use a comma before
the and, but, and or.
Example: Students should bring to class every day their textbook, their
pens, their pencils, their notebooks, and their thinking skills.
3.
Be consistent in tense usage. Do not shift between past and present tense.
Consistency in tense usage, whether past or present, is of primary
importance. Writing about literature or having to do with literature
requires the usage of the present tense.
4.
Avoid all forms of first and second person: I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours,
you, your, yours. An alternative for these forms is the usage of indefinite
pronouns such as one, a person, and people. DON’T JUMP INTO YOUR
PAPER!!!!
Examples:
Non-standard usage:
You must watch your step.
Standard formal usage:
One must watch his/her step.
5.
Use numerals for all numbers that cannot be expressed in one or two written
words. Do not, however, begin a sentence with a numeral. Use numerals for
dates, times, and addresses.
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________ Block: ____
Style Sheet for Formal Writing
page -2-
6.
Avoid colloquialisms, slang, or vulgar terminologies.
Example: The word “kids” is slang; instead use children or students.
7.
When a word does not fit at the end of the line, either divide the word
according to syllables or better yet move the entire word to the next line.
8.
Avoid ending a sentence with a preposition.
Example: Incorrect – Dr. Adams is a man one can rely on.
Correct – Dr. Adams is a man on whom one can rely.
9.
Avoid beginning a sentence with And or But.
10.
NEVER use contractions or abbreviations in formal writing.
11.
Avoid beginning a sentence with There or Here.
Example: Weak – There was something wrong.
Better – Something was wrong.
12.
Never begin a sentence with THIS, IT, THESE, THAT, or any other similar
pronoun immediately followed by a verb. Such references are vague.
Example: Vague – This is an example of good judgment.
Clear – This decision is an example of good judgment.
13.
When referring to a person for the first time, use the full name and title.
Every time thereafter, the person may be referred to by his/her last name.
Never refer to a person by first name only.
14.
Use quotation marks for titles of short stories, short poems, and songs or
any other reference to a piece of literature that comes from an anthology or
other piece of work. Use quotation marks around articles from periodicals.
Name: _____________________________ Date: __________ Block: ____
Style Sheet for Formal Writing
page -3-
15.
Underline/italicize titles of books, periodicals, newspapers, plays, long
poems, movies, television programs, works of art, and the names of ships,
trains, aircraft and spacecraft. Underline/italicize any piece of literature
that is a single volume.
16.
When listing in a series, a minimum of three examples should be provided.
Avoid such terms as:
- et cetera (etc.)
- and many more
- and the like
- and such
17.
Avoid the use of & (the ampersand)
18.
All responses should be written in complete sentences. Use sentence variety
and transitional words effectively. Do not write sentence fragments.
19.
One must include a thesis statement within the introductory paragraph of
any formal paper. The thesis statement is usually the last sentence of the
introduction. The thesis statement cannot be a question; it is a statement.
The thesis states the central focus of the essay.
20.
Use normal font, spacing, style, and margins. The font size for essays is
twelve. Double space essays. Margins are 1” on the left, right, and bottom;
1 1/2” at the top.
21.
Conform to all directions and requirements.
22.
DO NOT PLAGARIZE. Plagiarizers will be dealt with according to school
policy.
23.
Assignments must be turned in on time. Assignments handed in late lose
points. “My printer is broken” is not an acceptable excuse – email it.