What are some common mistakes to avoid in high school English writing?

High school English writing is an essential skill for students to master. However, there are several common mistakes that students make when writing papers or essays that can hurt their grades. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing high school English:

• Not proofreading: One of the most common mistakes students make is not proofreading their work. This can lead to spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and other errors that can hurt the quality of the paper.
• Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious offense that can result in failing grades or even expulsion from school. Students must learn to properly cite their sources and avoid plagiarism at all costs.
• Not following instructions: High school English teachers often provide detailed instructions for assignments. It is essential to follow these instructions carefully to ensure that the paper meets the requirements.
• Weak thesis statements: A weak thesis statement can make an otherwise well-written paper seem poorly organized or unclear. Students should focus on creating a clear and concise thesis statement that reflects the main idea of the paper.
• Weak or missing topic sentences: Topic sentences are essential to the organization of a paper. They provide a clear introduction to the main idea of each paragraph and help the reader understand the overall structure of the paper. Students should focus on creating strong, clear topic sentences for each paragraph.