Neatness Counts!!
I often joke that my favorite ATL is Self-management, because I spend a lot of time talking about it. I have noticed that students seem to struggle with basic formatting and organization of their work, so I decided to create a checklist to share with them. This is going to be required for all of my classes going forward, but I thought it would be a good idea to let everyone have a look. Feel free to use it if it helps.
GENERAL TIPS
Here are some basics that are useful for any assignment:
- Put your NAME on everything. Use your first AND last name.Β The top right corner is always a good place for it.
- If it doesnβt have one already, put some kind of title on it. (Essay on WWII, German Homework pg. 6, etc.) Fun fact: In English, you do not underline your own title!
- Proofread!!Β (Check for mistakes in spelling, punctuation, etc.)
- Unless youβre given special instructions, use only blue or black ink.
- Proofread!!Β
- Keep your papers flat and unwrinkled. (Get some folders, please.)
- Did I mention you should proofread?
HANDWRITTEN WORK
If you have to write something out by hand, here are some tips:
- Use lined paper, preferably the kind with a margin drawn in.
- Do not tear pages out of your notebook.Β You were asked to get lined paper as part of your school supplies; use it.
- If it has holes in it, the front of the paper is where the holes are on the left.
- Write neatly, ON the lines. Donβt make things two or three times their normal size.
- Donβt write in the white space above the first line or below the last line. (You can write ON the first line, but words shouldnβt float in the white space.)
- Proofread!!
- Unless your teacher says no, it is perfectly acceptable to write on both sides of the paper.
- Do not split single-syllable words at the end of a line.Β (school, NOT sch-ool) If there isnβt enough room for the word at the end of a line, write the whole word on the next line.
- Proofread!!
TYPED/COMPUTER WORK
Your computer will make some things easier for you, but you still have to do the work.
- Use a standard font (letter style) like Times New Roman or Calibri.Β Save the fancy fonts for creative projects. (See below.)
- Use 10-12 point type.Β (See below.)
- Proofread!!
- Give your document a name that makes sense and includes your name as well.Β Do you think teachers want to get 14 docs just labeled βEssayβ?
- Use normal margins.Β They are usually programed for you.
- Proofread!!
- It is not necessary to skip extra lines between lines of text.Β Unless your teacher says something else, just use 1.5 or double-spacing and indent your paragraphs.
ONE EXTRA THING β EMAILING YOUR TEACHERS
This isnβt technically about assignments, but it is written work. When you need to communicate with your teachers, remember the following:
- Fill in the subject line on emails
- Use a proper greeting. (Dear Ms. Lisa; Good Morning, Ms. Maria; etc.) βHiβ doesnβt count.
- Use your very best writing.Β This is not a WhatsApp to a friend, so spell out words, capitalize appropriately, and use punctuation.
- Proofread!!
- Use βpleaseβ and βthank you,β a LOT.
- End your message with something like βRegardsβ or βHave a nice day.β
- Sign your name.Β Yes, itβs probably in your email address, but thatβs not the point.
- Proofread!!