Writing Tips: Literature Essays 
• Time yourself through each paragraph. so you are able to complete the entire essay, For example. give up on using a third example In one paragraph in order to move on to the next 
paragraph. 	 
• Use representative works (examples) Instead of trying to use every work you can remember. 
• Don't relate obvious facts. Note that your audience is an educator who knows that information already, 
• When referring to characters or situations in novels, only give enough information to "place" the character (Ex: Nathan, Rukrnani's forlorn husband ... ) or the situation (Ex: After Nathan dies ... ). A void lengthy character descriptions or summaries of events that have title to do with proving the prompt. 
• Use your formal vocabulary (avoid colloquialisms such as "things" and "a lot".) 
• Don't use his/her. Choose one gender, and stick to it 
• One-third of your paper should be concrete details that prove the prompt. Two-thirds of your paper should be commentary on how these details are exemplary proof of the prompt This might mean that you will be able to cite less evidence in order to give yourself more time to develop sufficient commentary. 
•	Avoid "review language" (Ex: Shakespeare's marvelous play .... ) 
•	Planning is your most important phase. This makes sure you address the prompt completely, and that you have appropriate concrete details. 
• Your most important paragraph is your introduction. Your grade rarely deviates more than a point from what is estimated after reading the introduction. 
•	Use key words from prompt as focal words in your essay. 
•	Use a black medium, ball-point pen. 
•	Cross out with a single line. 
•	Use past tense when speaking about an historical occurrence, or a person's life. Use present tense when speaking about poems, short stories, or novels. 
• When planning your essay, follow a logical order. Some essays about a single novel, for example, are best written in chronological order (Ex: Discuss the changes and final realization of a major character). Sometimes the prompt will determine a different order (Ex: Discuss the use of characterization and point-of-vlew .... (These become 2 separate body paragraphs] 
• Save your best information for last, when appropriate) 
•	Neatness counts! A reader must be able to read your words. 
•	Use the author’s full name when first mentioning him or her. Use last name only after that. 
• Don't use "I; you", Don't use indefinite words such as "Seems; may be", Be authoritative. You know the truth. 
• Writers will receive extra points for demonstrating an awareness of historical significance, literary allusions, literary movements, or an author's biographical information. 
• When quoting poems, show line breaks (Ex: "To be or not to be that is the question/Whether it is nobler .. .") 
•	Pull your concrete details from the beginning, middle, and end of the story/poem. 
•	Make transitions into quotes on character, plot situation, or reference to the author.