Mistakes to Avoid

This is my second post regarding the upcoming English 1080 essay (there's another one below).

I just have a few last thoughts that might help you get better grades:

1. Very important: Avoid plot summary. Don't just tell me what happens in the story. Discuss the implications of those details and events in the story. This can make all the difference in your grade.

2. Write your essay in present tense. Avoid tense shift (i.e. back and forth between past and present).

3. Avoid cliches and colloquial language (slang).

4. Use quotation properly. All quotes should be introduced or set up properly. Use phrases such as: "As the narrator says,...". Oh and whenever you use a brief quote or an example, make sure you follow up with some discussion of why it's useful evidence for the point you're making.

I truly hope this helps. I'd like to see these be the best first-time essays I've ever graded. That would be great for you and fantastic for me.

May the fates be with you.

GC