Student Name:
Block:
Essay Self-Evaluation
Print out a copy of your finished paper. You must fill out and submit this
completed form with your paper. Read and complete all parts carefully. I will look
for your answers on this sheet and on your draft when a question asks you to mark
on your essay. After completing this self-evaluation, revise your essay accordingly.
YOU MUST SUBMIT THIS EVAL AND THE DRAFT YOU REVIEWED WITH
YOUR FINAL DRAFT!
Write out your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be sure to write “yes” or “no”
when appropriate and answer all parts of the question. Some require you to write on your essay too!
1. Have you written an introduction paragraph?
2. How have you made the introduction catchy and/or informative for the reader? If your
introduction is nonexistent, very brief, or needs work, see Mrs. Bouslog’s website at
http://teacherweb.com/MO/ParkwaySouthHigh/TracyBouslog/index.html. Go to the “College
comp Links” page and click on the link called “Strategies for Writing Introductions.” Revise
your introduction using one of these methods.
3. Write a thesis or main idea sentence for the end of your introduction in the space below. DO
NOT write “My paper is about. . .” or “In this paper, you will read . . .” Consult the following
website for help: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/
4. Is the thesis clearly worded? Which parts seem wordy or awkward? Do you concisely set up
your major ideas in the thesis? Revise the thesis on your essay.
5. Do you use “be” verbs in the thesis? (am, is, was, were)
6. Write your revised thesis in the space; be sure to eliminate “be” verbs, using strong verbs.
After doing steps 3-6, type your thesis at the end of your introduction paragraph.
7. How could you arrange your paragraphs to make your essay flow better? For example, should
you switch the order to make them logically flow better or do you think the paragraphs make
sense the order they are written in? Explain your logic for switching them or leaving them the
same:
8. Underline the first sentence of each body paragraph. Do all of your first sentences establish
the main idea of the whole paragraph? Test this by putting a box around the word or words in
each topic sentence that clearly establish the topic of each paragraph. Revise any first sentences
of the paragraphs that do not set up the paragraph’s main topic.
9. Go through each body paragraph and write “Ex-1, Ex-2, Ex-3” (stands for Examples/proof 1,
Examples /proof 2, Examples/proof 3) over specific details/quotes you use to convince the
reader of your thesis. (Ex-3 not necessary if you have been thorough with Ex-1 and Ex-2)
10. Circle all transitions and transitional words/phrases (see
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/574/02/ for transition samples). You should
definitely have these from paragraph to paragraph and from example to example. If you don’t
have any, insert these in your writing now. If you overuse “also” and “another” your paper
will be repetitive. Substitute other words.
11. Highlight/underline the quotes/examples in your paper
12. Do you transition into each quote clearly by setting it up? Will the reader understand what the
quote is about? If you don’t have an “I” or introduction before a quote or detail, write a phrase
or sentence that introduces the quote or point to be made on the printed draft and then make this
addition on your draft in the appropriate place.
13. Label your I.R.E
-
Write “I” above all introductions to quotes where you set up the topic/issue of
the quote and underline the author’s first and last name or the title (if there is no
author).
-Write “E-1” about sentences that identify key words and phrases of the
quote that support your point or main idea and how these specific words
convey the appeal (ethos, pathos, logos) Break down the language of the
quote and explain how it appeals to logic or emotion OR shows the
writer’s/speaker’s ethics (fairness, credibility, expertise, honesty)
-Write “E-2” above all explanations after quotes that explain how the key
words and the key ideas support your thesis or big idea of the argument as a
whole
14. Do you have a conclusion? Circle yes or no. If no, write “add conclusion” to the end of your
essay. Consult “College Prep Comp” links on my website and the following information if you
need help with your conclusion:
Strategies for Writing Conclusions
http://brainstorm-services.com/wcu-2002/conclusions.html
15.How did you end insightfully or thoughtfully? Brainstorm ideas you can write in you last
sentence to end memorably (refer back to intro, use a quote, relate theme to a larger idea in life,
etc.). Do NOT give your reader any advice.
16. Is everything 12-point font and double-spaced? What font did you/will you use? Circle one
Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier New.
17. Did you use Knightcite on the Panda website to help you with your Works Cited? (Complete
this for Bryan Stevenson’s TED Talk—cite like an online lecture/speech.
18. To check your MLA format for the first page of your essay and to check your Works Cited page
link:MLA Format for the First Page and for an Essay
http://www.csus.edu/owl/index/mla/mla_format.htm
19. Complete proofreading work (noredink.com practice and then quiz); then proofread your selfevaluation draft.
YOU MUST TURN IN THIS SELF EVALUATION WITH THE SELF-EVAL DRAFT, YOUR TWO
FORMER DRAFTS, THE PEER EVALUATION SHEET, AND , THE ASSIGNMENT SHEET
PACKET WITH A FINAL DRAFT ON MARCH 1, 2016.
No paper will be graded unless it is submitted to turnitin.com