2. Create an attention-getting title that is not the name of the assignment; i.e., Cloudy Sundays, not Crystal Moment Poem.

3. Capitalize the first and last words in a title and the first letters in all words of the title with the exception of articles, coordinating conjunctions, and short prepositions. Do not use quotation marks, underlining, or all caps in titles.

4. Type in 12 point in Times or similarly legible font and double-space. Exception: Poetry drafts may be formatted a number of ways depending on author choices, but remember: hard-to-read papers will be returned for re-writing and late credit.

5. Handwritten papers must be in blue or black ink, written on one side only of standard binder or essay paper (not spiral bound), and accompanied by a parent note explaining reason for not typing.

6. If your printer is not working, arrive at school early enough to use the media center computers. If that is not possible, you may have all day to complete the printing, so you can finish at lunch or after school. A parent note must be attached to the assignment explaining the printer problem. If you follow these directions, you will receive full credit.

7. Write out all numbers under 100.

8. Do not abbreviate except for common titles such as Mrs. and Dr.

9. Do not use the & symbol for the word and.

10. Avoid the use of etc.

11. When writing dialogue, begin a new paragraph each time a speaker changes.

12. Edit carefully for spelling and punctuation.

13. Check for sentence sense. Avoid sentence fragments and run-on sentences.

14. Avoid plagiarism in any form. Always credit someone else's words and ideas.

Use the following checklist before turning in final drafts:
1. Proper heading:
English 9	Name
Period	Date Due

Title