Writing Landmines to avoid in Dr.

Waddells Class:
Dont
Use first person when writing professional
papers.
Ex. I or We

Do
You can use first person in reflection papers.

Do not forget to use periods, question

marks, or exclamation marks to end a
sentence.
Do not use run on sentences.

Do use periods, question marks and

exclamations to end your sentence.

Do not discuss several different topics in

one paragraph.
Do not start sentences with connecting
words such as And, But, For, To, Or.
Do not misuse APA format (APA)

Do not use hyphenated words like wont,

shouldnt, couldnt, etc. (Contractions)
Do not start a sentence with a small letter
on the first word of the sentence. (Capitals)
Avoid there are/ There is

Break down sentences into smaller

sentences to avoid run on sentences. Short
sentences are better than longer sentences
when properly written.
Do use paragraphs properly to begin a new
topic of discussion, and to separate topics.
You may start a sentence with The, In, a
noun or Also for example.
Do use the running head, title page,
abstract, citations, and references in the
correct format.
Use the two words written out for
example:will not, should not, could not, etc.
Capitalize the first letter of a sentence.

Do not start a sentence with They. The

reader doesnt know who you are referring
to when you do this in your writing.
Avoid using Really, Very, A lot , So within
your sentence. (This weakens your writing)
Do not use the passive voice.

Use specific noun to identify what you are

talking about
Start the sentence with the active voice
(identify who is the they you are referring
to in your sentence).
Use many for a lot, and use the more formal
wording to strengthen your sentence.
Do use the active voice.

Ex. Health care reforms were implemented

by Obama.
Do not use weak verbs.

Ex. Obama implemented health care

reforms.
Do use strong verbs.

Weak verb: He gave assistance to my

friend.
Do not forget to follow your rubric. Do not
forget to conclude your paper with
reference to two SLU core values.
Do not forget to use critical thinking skills.
See recommended eight elements to critical
thinking.

Strong verb: He assisted my friend.

Do not use initials an expect the reader to

know what they stay for without explaining
on first use

Do follow the rubric and always include two

SLU core values in the closing of your
writing.
Do use the following critical thinking skills:
Purpose, question at issue, assumptions,
implications and consequences,
information, concepts, conclusions and
interpretations, points of view. (See
handout)
First use of a word to be repeated spell it
out then at the end put the initials ex.
Mental health (MH)