How to Write Great Essays

C
A P I T A L I Z AT I O N
Capitalization is necessary both for specific words and to start sentences and quotes. How-
ever, many writers overuse it, and thus appear overly casual. There are just six occasions
that require capitalization:
1. the first word of a sentence
2. proper nouns (names of people, places, and things)
3. the first word of a complete quotation, but not a partial quotation
4. the first, last, and any other important words of a title
5. languages
6. the pronoun I, and any contractions made with it
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Mechanics  CHAPTER 4 
HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS

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F
O R
Y
O U R
R
E V I E W
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Pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions are the most challenging parts
of speech, accounting for a majority of usage errors. Learn the common errors
to eliminate them from your writing.
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A dangling participle is a phrase or clause, using a verb ending in -ing that
does not refer to the subject of the sentence it modifies. A misplaced modifier
is a word or phrase that describes something, but is in the wrong place in the
sentence. Both create ambiguity and can change the meaning of a sentence.
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Nouns and verbs must agree in number, meaning a singular noun takes a sin-
gular verb, and a plural noun takes a plural verb.
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The active voice is not only clearer and more direct, but it conveys your mean-
ing more easily. Use it instead of the passive voice whenever possible.
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Avoid the two most common mistakes at the sentence level: sentence frag-
ments and run-on sentences. Be certain each sentence contains one complete
thought.
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Be consistent with verb tenses. Do not shift from one tense to another unless
it is necessary.
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The use of double negatives is unnecessary and redundant. As with verb tense
shifts, the use of two negatives (such as “I won’t never give up”) in a sentence
sounds incompetent and can obscure meaning.
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Proper punctuation makes your essay more polished and technically correct,
and it helps to convey your voice.
■
There are six occasions that require capitalization. Using capitalization in any
other way can make your writing appear too casual, or even sloppy.

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