Name____________________
Period___________________
Self-Revision Checklist for Icebreaker/Introductory Speech
Revision means looking again at what we have written to see how we can improve it. Some of us start
revising as soon as we begin a rough draft—restructuring and rearranging sentences as we work our
ideas. Then we return to the draft, perhaps several times, to make further revisions(an ongoing
process). Revising involves much more than just correcting errors in grammar, spelling and
punctuation(editing-separate checklist to use.)
** Read your work aloud when you revise. You may hear problems in your writing that you can’t see.
______1. Does the essay get my attention at the very beginning of the speech? Is it going to
“WOW” the audience?
______2. Does the introduction use 1-2 of the STAR techniques?
1. Startle w/ shocking statement. 2. Tell a story. 3. Ask a question. 4. Recite a quote.
______3. Does the introduction have a clear and concise main idea? Is this idea made clear to
the reader in a thesis statement in the last sentence of the first paragraph?
______4. Are the four main points in the thesis clear?
______5. Is the main point of each paragraph clear? Is each point adequately and clearly
defined in a topic sentence and supported with specific details?
______6. Is each paragraph clearly related to the main idea of the essay? Is there enough
information in the essay to support the main idea?
______7. Is there a clear plan and sense of organization to the essay? Does each paragraph
develop logically from the previous one?
______8. Are there clear transitions from sentence to sentence?
______9. Are there clear transitions from paragraph to paragraph?
_____10. Have key words and ideas been given proper emphasis in the sentences and
paragraphs?
_____11. Are the sentences clear and direct? Can they be understood on the first reading?
Are the sentences varied in length and structure? Could any sentences be improved
by combining or restructuring them?
_____12. Is there a consistent theme throughout the essay? (message being delivered?)
_____13. Does the essay have a specific purpose (inform, entertain, evaluate, or persuade)?
Have you made this purpose clear to the reader?
_____14. Does the essay maintain a consistent tone?
_____15. Does the essay have an effective conclusion- one that emphasizes the main idea and
provides a sense of completeness?
_____16. Is the final statement strong? Does it leave the reader with a lasting, profound
thought? (final clincher statement)