Revision Checklist for Response to Response to Literature Essay:
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
(Note: Also refer to p119, 1031, & p1141 in literature book, as well as the checklist on the back of the prompt. Use
commonsense and only use the revision tips that apply to this essay.)
THINK LIKE A TEACHER!!!
Introduction:
1. Is your hook attention grabbing (no rhetorical question)? If not, add a detail, quote, or
anecdote.
2. Did you include specific, concise, and appropriate background information about what
events led up to the convention, and what was being discussed at the convention?
3. Did you include the full name of the author and title? After this, do you only refer to
author by first/last name or last name?
4. Did you include specific evidence such as quotes that should be better placed within your
body paragraphs? If so, take them out of the introduction.
5. Does your thesis completely and concisely answer the prompt? Did you identify a
statement of theme that includes strong opinion words? Is your thesis the last sentence
in your intro paragraph?
Body Paragraphs:
1. Did you include quotes in your topic sentences? If so, then you don’t have a topic
sentence. A topic sentence is commentary, not a concrete detail. Think of a TS as a more
specific form of your thesis: a mini thesis for a body paragraph. Your TS should
indirectly tell the reader what the paragraph is about.
2. Does you topic sentence accurately convey his main point for that section of his book?
3. Did you include at least two quotes (this is your evidence)? Did you use ellipsis (…) to
take out excess words in a long quote? Did you leave the important words in?
4. Did you lead into your quotes, so that it naturally flows within a larger sentence, or did
you just “drop” it in? Use good lead-ins and transitions. Use the “200 ways to say says”
handout from the writing resources page on my website!
5. Did you adequately explain each quote, so that you can demonstrate understanding?
6. Did you explain which literary device your quote is an example of? Did you explain how
your quote is an emotional, logical, or ethical (or combination of two) argument?
7. Does your commentary explain how the quote you chose supports your thesis? If the
quote does not support your topic sentence/thesis, then you must change either your topic
sentence or your quote. The paragraph must be coherent and focused.
8. Does your CS agree with your TS? (Note: a CS should have more analysis than a TS.)
Conclusion:
1. Did you restate your thesis without using exactly the same words (should have more
analysis than the thesis)? Does it agree with your thesis?
2. Did you summarize your strongest points / ideas?
3. Did you include new quotes or evidence? If so, take them out of the conclusion.
4. Did you finish the conclusion by making a connection, reflection, or insightful
statement? Remember this is your judgment here, not Mark Twain’s.
Overall:
1. Did you remove excessive words, vague words, and incorrectly used words? Be specific.
Make every single word count. Use words appropriate for your audience.
2. Did you use the words “quote” or “quotation”, “essay”, “paragraph”, “my opinion”, or “I
think” anywhere in your paper? If so, change your wording.
3. Did you vary your sentence structure or does every sentence look similar in length and
format? Replace, add, or remove phrases to do this.
4. Did you use the same word too many times? If so, use a thesaurus to find another word.
5. Did you use proper spelling, capitalization, and punctuation?
6. Did you use proper parenthetical citations after each quote?
7. Did you use proper grammar? Are your modifiers in the right place?
8. Do you have run-on sentences or fragments (missing a subject or verb)? If so, fix.
9. Is your essay written in present-tense using 3rd person point-of-view? If not, fix.
10. Do all of your subjects and verbs agree? If not, fix. Pronouns and antecedents? If not, fix.
11. Is it written in passive voice? If so, use active voice instead.
12. Did you very your verbs, especially in your lead-ins/ attributions (i.e., change says or said
to exclaims or describes)? How many times did you use says or said?
WRITING RESOURCES!
Please visit the writing resources page of my website for additional materials and links!
Remember to use “200 ways to say says”!