Topic / Research
- Don’t try to solve the mysteries of the world in an essay. Stick to topics that you can handle in the space and time provided to you.
- Don’t write about a topic you don’t understand. Pick a topic you can write intelligently about and take the time to research your topic before writing your essay.
- Don’t use web sites as your only sources. Read some actual books or academic papers.
- Don’t make things up.
- Don’t include irrelevant information.
- Don’t be afraid to start over. Sometimes your initial approach won’t work. Recognize that and move on.
- Don’t feel like you have to agree with the experts.
- Don’t plagiarize.
- Don’t forget to answer a question.
Style
- Don’t provide lengthy plot summaries or paraphrases.
- Don’t provide a collection of generic declarations and cliches.
- Don’t use overly long quotations.
- Don’t pad your writing. Take the space to say everything that is necessary, but don’t use a paragraph to provide a sentence worth of material.
- Don’t misuse the thesaurus or convince yourself that big fancy words will make your essay sound more academic or intelligent.
- Don’t be afraid to write in the first person, but remember that your voice must fit the material and the audience.
- Don’t use slang or unnecessary technical jargon. If you must use an obscure term, take the time to define and explain it.
- Don’t try too hard to be funny. Some humor may work in an essay, but going overboard can make your topic and you look foolish.
- Don’t try to imitate others. Just write cleanly and correctly in your own voice.
- Don’t just spout a list of facts or statistics. Take the time to analyze the information you are presenting.
- Don’t forget to let your personality and ideas about the topic guide the way you write.
- Don’t brag or put down other people.
Editing
- Don’t turn in your first draft.
- Don’t forget to proofread.
- Don’t rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling. Read through what you have written. Read it out loud and listen to the way your paper sounds.
- Don’t be afraid of revision. Sometimes it takes a while to find the true focus of your essay. Once you find it, you may need to make major changes to create your best essay.
Formatting
- Don’t hand-write your essay.
- Don’t use subheadings before every paragraph.
- Don’t use a font that is too large or too small
- Don’t use colored or oddly-sized paper.
- Don’t turn in an essay that is messy or poorly formatted.