When you are writing and revising your paper, you should consider the following questions…

Overall:

1. Does the whole essay stick to the purpose and the subject?

2. Have you kept your audience clearly in mind? Is the tone appropriate and consistent? Do any terms require definition?

3. Is the focus consistent? Do the ideas in the essay show clear relationships to the central idea, or thesis?

4. Is the central idea of thesis sharply conceived? Does your thesis statement clearly suggest the position and approach you are taking?

5. Have you chosen an effective method or combination of methods of development?

6. Is the reasoning sound in the essay as a whole and in individual paragraphs and sentences?

7. Will the introduction arouse the reader’s interest? Does it indicate what the paper is about?

8. Does the essay come to a satisfying close?

Paragraphs:

1. Are there any ideas in any paragraph that do not belong?

2. Is each paragraph coherent? Are sentences within each paragraph in a natural and effective order? Are the sentences connected by repetition of key words or ideas, by pronoun reference, by parallel construction, or by transitional expressions?

3. Is the natural progression between paragraphs easy and natural? Are there clear transitions where needed?

4. Is each paragraph adequately developed?

From Harbrace College Handbook, 11^th edition