Useful Forms

Students often receive advice to "write in the present tense," from their teachers. However, what does that actually mean? Does every sentence have to be in the present tense? Doesn't that make understanding the relationship between events confusing? This handout explains the concept of anchoring paragraphs in time which will help students select the proper verb  tense every time!

Google Docs has become the defacto choice of word processing application among students. This document provides step-by-step instructions for students on how to format their finished writing according to MLA style specifications using Google Docs. 

Sometimes it is helpful to see what something is supposed to look like when you are making your own attempt. Avoid your own "nailed it" meme moment by carefully reviewing this sample paragraph on bike riding, formatted to MLA expectations.

This document explains the use of quotations in MLA format, including the introduction, integration, and interpretation of quotations, known collectively as the "three I's." Students are expected to employ the three I's when using quotations in their papers. 

When inserting a quotation into your text, there are formatting expectations around how the citation for that quotation should appear, and how you should notify the reader of any changes you made to the quotation itself. This document outlines those formatting expectations.

Using quotations in a piece of writing requires specific steps to be followed for how that quotation is identified, both in text and in the Works Cited list. This guide explains those steps, as well as several of the most popular Works Cited list entry formats. 

The MLA rules that govern how quotations from other texts must be identified in your writing are slightly different when the text is from Shakespeare's canon. The document here expounds on some of the differences that must be accounted for when citing Shakespeare.

Contracts are considered a mark of informal language - the kind we use in day-to-day life - but they are not appropriate for inclusion in formal writing. Learn here what contractions are, and how to find and eliminate them. Review this sheet when editing your work prior to submission.

A guide to understanding the difference between language that is formal in tone, and that which is informal. Only formal writing tone should be used in your writing. Review this sheet when editing your work prior to submission. 

A checklist of expectations for formal writing in English assignments. Following this checklist - and editing your work to ensure all of the expectations are met - will ensure you turn in a polished piece of formal writing.

When students receive reviewed or graded work back from Mr. McBurney, that work is annotated with remarks relating to opportunities to improve the work, or subsequent submissions. This glossary helps students understand the symbols Mr. McBurney uses to speed up his review.  

Students can use this checklist to verify they have thoroughly edited their work for all potential errors, including typos, capitalization and spelling, grammar, as well as proper quotation use, MLA formatting, etc. 

One of the distinguishing characteristics of effective speakers is their ability to integrate gestures in ways that meaningfully enhance the meaning of their spoken words. This glossary of gestures explains how each is performed, and how it might enhance audience understanding.

This slideshow presentation goes over some of the pitfalls that students can fall into when designing slideshow presentations in Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint. Use the information contained in it to improve the usefulness and impact of your slides.