How to Write Great Essays

Correct:
When we finished our lunch, we 
decided
to take a walk.
Incorrect:
Last year the governor said he 
is campaigning
for our candidate.
Correct:
Last year the governor said he 
would campaign
for our candidate.
OR 
Last year the governor said he 
was campaigning
for our candidate.
D
O U B L E
N
E G AT I V E S
The use of double negatives is unnecessary and incorrect. As with verb tense shifts, the use
of two negatives (such as “I won’t never give up”) in a sentence sounds incompetent, and
obscures meaning. Eliminate them from your writing.
Incorrect:_We_hardly_never_see_movies._Correct:_We_hardly__ever_see_movies._Incorrect'>Incorrect:
We hardly never see movies.
Correct:
We hardly 
ever 
see movies.
Incorrect:
There aren’t no tickets left.
Correct:
There aren’t 
any 
tickets left.
Incorrect:
Mary doesn’t like neither of those books.
Correct:
Mary doesn’t like 
either
of those books.
Incorrect:
Vegans don’t eat dairy products nor meat.
Correct:
Vegans don’t eat dairy products 
or 
meat.
TAKE NOTE
There are more negatives than just the obvious 
no, not, never, neither
, and 
nor.
Remem-
ber that 
hardly
and 
barely
are negatives, too. If you are using those words, you have
a negative, so you do not need to double up.

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HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS
CHAPTER 4
Mechanics
48
P
U N C T U AT I O N
There are dozens of different punctuation marks in the English language; those covered in
this section are the ones that present the most challenges to their users. While the infor-
mation may seem simple, and has been taught to you numerous times during your educa-
tion, it pays to review it. With proper punctuation your writing will be more polished and
technically correct, and will convey your voice more directly.