The form that your ideas take is important if you want to persuade your reader. Make no mistake, good writing is hard work. Furthermore, bad writing makes your reader think that your ideas can't be good since the expression of those ideas is unsuccessful. A sure way to get a professor (or any other reader) on your side from the start is to write in proper English with proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax (word usage and sentence structure). If you take the time to write well, it will pay off for you.

Some clues to help think about proper form:

1) Don't save writing until the last minute. Give yourself time to rewrite and revise.

2) Form and content often go hand in hand. Make sure that you are clear about what your argument is, and that the words that you are using to make that argument are best suited for the job.

3) Proofread! So many errors could be corrected by giving yourself time to proofread your papers.

4) The computer is not smarter than you are. Don't just o.k. any corrections it wants to make. Sometimes computer programs are wrong.

5) Remember, the professor does not just read an error in your paper. She might read it in 20 other papers. Consider what that might mean if your paper is on the bottom of the pile.

6) Let other people read your work before you turn it in for a grade.

7) Know the professor's pet peeves.