The Write Advice

UWF WRITING LAB

 The A B C's of Writing
by Writing Lab Assistants

A Allow plenty of time for revision.

B Be firm in your convictions! Take a stand, and stick to 
    it. A thesis statement should uncompromisingly assert 
    your opinion. However, make sure you back it up with 
    supporting FACTS.

C Care about your topic.

D Designate time for editing and revision.

E Examine every element for accuracy and clarity.

F Find credible sources. Though a site might not 
    advertise itself as "Joe Bob's Homepage," you should 
    be able to judge its credibility by carefully examining   
    the page for editors and academic sponsors.

G Grade your paper from your instructor's perspective; 
    consider what things he or she would count off for.

H Have the writing assignment nearby, and follow it 
    explicitly.

I Identify your thesis and topic sentences. Arrange them 
   in order to make sure that your argument is complete.

J "Jiggy wid it": avoid slang expressions like this in a 
    formal essay.

K Keep a dictionary with you when you write.

L Let your passions guide you when selecting a paper 
    topic. You can adapt any subject to your interests.

M Make a paper reading appointment.

N Never write comma splices or run-on sentences.

O Omit the obvious.

P Punctuate correctly.

Q Quit using non-words such as alot, alright, its', their's, 
    hisself, her's, and irregardless.

R Read your paper, but don't focus on counting the 
    words.

S Seek advice if you are unsure of the grammar, the 
    content, or the format of your paper.

T Take time to read your paper before you turn it in.

U Underline the titles of novels, books, movies, and 
    newspapers. Use quotation marks for the titles of 
    poems, short stories, articles, and songs.

V Vary your sentence construction to avoid repetition.

W When in doubt, call the Grammar Hotline.

X Xerox your paper so that you and your instructor will 
    have copies.

Y "Yell" your informed opinion by stating it 
    argumentatively in your thesis.

Z Zealously brainstorm as many ideas as you can before 
    you begin to write your paper.

Just Get to It: Advice on Deadlines
by James Mayo
Department of English, UWF

     We all approach the writing process differently, and what works for one certainly doesn't work for another. Some, for instance, love the pressure of deadlines, while others feel the pressure is overwhelming at times. It is my belief that student writers should get started as early as possible. Starting early gives students a chance to devote plenty of time to the revision process - proofreading, rewriting, visiting the Writing Lab, having draft conferences with instructors, and so on. Perhaps most importantly, writers who start early enough avoid the stress and anxiety of the deadline, and we all know that students have enough stress and anxiety as it is. So don't make things harder than they should be; just get to it. We all have less time than we like to think.

Student Successes
Essay Book
by Linda Moore
Director of Composition

     Ever open your dorm refrigerator and find only an outdated Taco Bell sauce packet and a stale piece of cheese? Ever wonder what happens when athletes are permitted to skip classes and assignments in high school? These situations are some that UWF's students have written about in their essays. (continued on next page)

"Writing Lab paper readers don't help you find what's wrong with your paper; they help you to make it better."
                                                            Thomas Lovoy
                                     Department of English, UWF