A Writer’s Checklist

I. CONTENT

   1.  What is the main or central idea of your paper? Try to express this idea in one sentence.

   2.  Each body paragraph should develop only one supporting point. Which subtopic does each paragraph develop?

            1.

            2.

            3.

   3.  Does the paper offer evidence, examples or details for support? Are there enough details and examples? List four assertions (i.e. thesis statement, topic sentences...) and their supporting details or examples.

            1.

            2.

            3.

            4.

4.  Is the explanation clear and carefully presented?

5.  After re-reading, does the paper say anything significant or worthwhile? Is the main point important, definite and informative? Will readers learn anything new and useful?

   1.  Does each paragraph have a purpose? Does everything in each paragraph stick to the point? There should be no irrelevant or extraneous information. Explain why your paragraphs stick together.

   2.  Does the introduction clearly state the paper’s purpose? How does it make readers want to read on?

   3.  Does the conclusion summarize, emphasize or complete a chain of reasoning?  Explain how it provides a real sense of ending and how it is interesting to the reader.

III. COHERENCE

   1.  Do the sentences in each paragraph follow a natural and logical order?

   2.  Do the paragraphs follow a logical line of thought? How does their order emphasize what is most important?

   3.  Have you used any transitional words? Give two examples.

            1.

            2.

   4.  Compare the introduction and the conclusion. Does the subject remain the same?  Are there any connections made?

   5.  Is your point of view consistent or do you shift from 1^st to 2^nd person or 3^rd to first, etc.?

   6.  Are the verb tenses consistent?

IV. MECHANICS AND STYLE

   1.  Is the sentence structure effective, or are there examples of wordiness, passive voice, clichés, etc.?

   2.  Is the spelling correct?

   3.  Is the paper free of basic grammar errors such as sentence fragments and comma splices?

V. OVERALL EVALUATION

   Have you carried out a specific purpose and expressed it successfully?