Page 255 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

If you are given instructions for formatting a document, follow those
instructions carefully. If you have no specific instructions, use the

guidelines in the following section. They will help you format a

document effectively, whether that document is written in class or out

of class, by hand or on a computer.

Handwritten Documents

Whether you are handwriting an assignment or an essay, neatness

counts! Be sure to write clearly and legibly, and if your handwriting is
difficult to read, try printing instead. If you misspell a word or make a

mistake, draw a single line through the error and rewrite your

correction above the crossed-out error.

Paragraphs and Essays

For handwritten paragraphs and essays, use lined white 8½ * 11-inch

paper and blue or black ink. Write on one side of the paper only, and

leave wide margins.

In the upper left corner of the page, put your name, your instructor’s

name, the name of the class, and the date. Center your title, if any, on

the first line of the paper, but do not underline the title or put it in

quotation marks. Indent each paragraph about three-quarters of an
inch. In a handwritten document, do not skip lines unless your

instructor specifically requests it. Put a single paper clip, not a staple,