Proofreader’s Checklist: Rough Draft
Author ____________________________
Check the Rough Draft for the following:
Initial the line of the item you are checking.
Yes / No
____ ____
1. Is the diction throughout the paper scholarly and appropriate?
Circle any words or phrases that are confusing or clichéd or employ a slang
expression.
____ ____
2. Is the syntax accurate throughout?
Indicate any run-on sentences by putting a R-O in the margin next to the
sentence that is a run-on. Especially watch for sentences like the following:
They look to the top of the mountain; however, they are too terrified to
approach the beast they think they see there.
They feel they see a beast that threatens their safety; it is only a dead
parachutist.
____ _____ 3. Are all pronouns used correctly – no vague or ambiguous references?
Check to see if this is used by itself or if this is followed with a specific noun
or phrase.
Check to see if which is used properly – the word immediately before which is
its antecedent. Ex. He sees a creature which he assumes is a beast.
Pronouns such as one, everyone, everybody are always singular and must have
his/her pronouns in agreement.
____ ____
4. Is the verb tense consistent – present tense throughout?
____ ____
5. Do all the verbs agree with their subjects in number?
 Remember that compound subjects require a plural verb.
____ ____
6. Is the punctuation accurate – commas after an introductory subordinate
clause, for example?
____ ____
7. Is the spelling accurate throughout?
____ ____
8. Is there a variety of sentence openers? In overall sentence structure?
____ ____
9. Are the quotations properly documented, following the MLA
guidelines?
 Remember that quotation marks come before the parenthesis.
_____ ____
10. If the quotation ends in a question mark or exclamation point, does
the mark of punctuation fall before the quotation marks?
_____ _____ 11. If the quotation ends with a period, does the period fall after the
parenthesis?
_____ _____ 12. Is there a comma after the lead-in to the quoted passage in a direct
quotation – one that follows “say” or “saying” or similar words?
_____ _____ 13. If there is a direct quote, does the first word quoted begin with a
capital letter?
_____ _____ 14. If the quoted passage is an indirect quote, is it punctuated correctly? –
no comma before the passage and no capital letter
_____ _____ 15. Is paragraphing adequate for the reader to keep focused? Paragraphs
should not extend down an entire page. Write in the margin a
reminder for the writer to go back and paragraph more frequently if
the paragraphs seem too long.
_____
Total Number of cited passages
_____
Number of Primary Source Citations
_____
Number of Secondary Source Citations
_____
Number of Pages
_____
Number of Support Areas Completed
_____
Total Number of Paragraphs So Far
Citations
Grammar, spelling, punctuation
Incorrect:
The Bell Jar is, “most obviously about limitations imposed on young, intelligent American women in the
1950s,” (Johnson, 22) and female oppression.
Corrected:
The Bell Jar is “most obviously about limitations imposed on young, intelligent American women in the
1950s” and female oppression (Johnson 22).
Citations can go immediately after a quotation, but they shouldn’t interrupt the flow of the sentence.
Incorrect:
Upon their execution, Esther, “couldn’t help wondering what it would be like, being burned alive all
along your nerves. [She] thought it must be the worst thing in the world.” (Plath 1)
Corrected:
Upon their execution, Esther “couldn’t help wondering what it would be like, being burned alive all along
your nerves. [She] thought it must be the worst thing in the world” (Plath 1).