ESSAY CHECKLIST
Before beginning any writing assignment, it is imperative that you follow the exact
directions for the assignment as given by your instructor.
ORGANIZATION
*Does the paper have a logical order?
*Do I stick to the subject in each paragraph?
*Do my paragraphs support the thesis statement?
*Does my paper have an identifiable introduction, body, and conclusion?
*Could my paper be easily outlined?
CONTENT
*Do my ideas make sense?
*Does my introduction grab the reader’s attention?
*Does my paper have an identifiable, clearly written thesis statement in the
introduction?
*Is my content developed with relevant details, examples, illustrations, facts,
figures, and anecdotes?
*Does my conclusion restate the information and make a brief statement that will
impact the reader?
SENTENCE FLUENCY
*Does my essay sound smooth and flow easily?
*Is the essay easy to read aloud?
*Have I used a variety of sentence styles and lengths?
VOICE
*Does the paper sound stiff and stilted?
*Does the paper have a “flavor” to it?
*Does the paper “reach out” to the reader?
*Does the paper make the reader respond?
WORD CHOICE
*Have I used powerful verbs?
*Are the words in my essay used correctly?
*Do I use simple language?
*Have I used phony phrases just to impress? Big words?
2.
CONVENTIONS
*Have I proofread my paper? (Aloud is best).
*Is the spelling/word usage correct?
*Is the punctuation correct, both internal and end?
*Is the grammar correct?
*Do I have the proper headings, indentions, and spacing required?
DOCUMENTATION
*Have I given credit to the sources I used when writing this paper?
*Have I used a variety of sources?
*Have I documented information from outside sources that I put in my own words
(paraphrased)?
*Have I included parenthetical references (or “in-text citations”) within the text of the
paper?
*Do I have a Works Cited or References page in accordance with MLA of APA
style(s)?
*Have I referred to my handbook for all documentation information?
Revised 4/07