HMS Minimum Writing Standards

Writing Non-Negotiables

• I will put my first and last name, block, and date on the paper.
• I will capitalize

• the first letter in a sentence.
• the first, last, and important words in a title.
• proper nouns.

• I will use ending punctuation correctly.
• I will write in complete sentences at all times. I will be sure my sentences

• are not run-ons.
• are not sentence fragments.

• I will spell most grade-level words appropriately,

• including, commonly confused words like to, two, too, there, their, they’re, than, then, et cetera (etc.).

• I will use paragraphs to organize my ideas.

• I will indent paragraphs.
• I will write paragraphs that include a topic sentence, support and details, and a concluding sentence.

• I will use commas and quotations marks to mark dialogue and quotations from other texts.
• I will capitalize “I.”
• I will always use appropriate academic language - not gonna, kinda, sorta, hafta, ‘cause, or cuz.
•  I will use words and not symbols- and not &, number not #, et cetera (etc.).
• I will not use text writing- lol, cya, ngl, et cetera (etc.).
• I will include a bibliography or cite within the text anytime I use someone else’s work: pictures, quotes, research, et cetera (etc.).