Writing Critical Response: Some Useful and Practical tips

1) Avoid topics that merely seek to confirm the presence of historical facts in fiction, that is, avoid the obvious.

2) Avoid lengthy discussions stay clear of what is obvious and/or irrelevant. You may want to refresh the reader’s mind with a short summary which is OK, but do not make detailed recounting.
3) Avoid quoting from your class notes.

4) Avoid collages. Do not run from one idea to the other. Not everything goes together. Run a tight ship with regards to your thoughts.

5) Do not write as if you, your classmates, and your lecturers the only readers of your work. Your paper should be a readable experience for educated human beings outside the class.

6) Avoid idiomatic expressions and conversational “style”.

7) Do not hand in your paper without:
a) Re-reading it and proofreading it.
b) Stapling all the pages.
c) Including coversheet.
d) Carefully numbering each page if you have not done so already before printing it.
e) Keeping a paper copy and a copy of the computer file until after final grades are posted!!!

8) Check and double-check for grammatical mistakes, spelling errors, and style.
9) Please, make sure that your paper is well printed.
10) Rules on plagiarism will be strictly enforced. Refer to your subject guide for more information on plagiarism