Small things
Remember to format titles correctly. Titles of full-length works are italicized. Titles of works within longer works — thus essay titles, most poem titles, short story titles — are placed in quotation marks.
When naming authors or scholars for the first time, it is standard to use their full name or the full name as given on title pages, thus “Paul J. Korshin” and “J. R. R. Tolkien.” It is not standard to provide their titles (both of these men had PhDs and were professors). Once they have been identified, refer to them with last names only, thus Korshin and Tolkien. The same holds true for female authors. There is a tendency to refer to Emily or Virginia when writing about Dickinson or Woolf. Once they have been introduced, use last names only.
When first discussing an essay that will figure prominently in your analysis, provide both the author’s name and the essay title. The title of the journal is optional, depending upon the point you are trying to make.
Mush for must, tow for two, defiantly for definitely — the spell checker won’t pick up these errors; you need to catch them yourself.
Use page numbers. They are easy enough to apply and they can be very helpful. In general, format your essays with care. Here are some examples for your consideration.