GENERAL CHECKLIST FOR FORMAL ESSAYS
Below is a list of items to check before turning in your essay. It requires that you read all or parts of your paper several times
to make sure you have eliminated each potential problem. As you finish with each item, check the blank for that item. Also,
please refer to your “Holes on the Left” Handout for additional help.
GENERAL COMPOSITION
1. Introductions
___ Avoid beginnings that make sweeping connections
between your topic and past history. Do not use these
words or their synonyms: different, history, mankind,
today’s society, throughout, changes, world.
___Make sure you have a thesis stated in the form or an
opinion.
2. Conclusions
___Do not simply restate your thesis…reword
___ Use multiple concluding paragraph strategies.
3. Paragraphs
___Make sure paragraphs are indented
___Make sure each paragraph develops one single idea
and supports it.
___Make sure the idea illustrates the thesis stated in your
introductory paragraph.
4. Sentences
___Make sure there are NO sentence fragments in your
paper.
___Vary the length and type: intersperse long, short and
medium sentences throughout and use compound,
complex, and simple sentences. (see syntax workshop)
___Vary the beginnings of your sentences so that you
aren’t always starting with the same old words, like the,
this, and I. (see syntax workshop)
5. Diction
___Use specifc concrete words instead of general ones
(for example, chatter instead of talk, or paraded instead
of walked).
___Substitute words you don’t normally use for the old
standbys you depend on (for example, microscopic for
small or reticent for quiet).
___Don’t illogically mix levels of diction—that is, slang
with formal vocabulary.
6. Wordiness
___Try to eliminate two or three words in every sentence,
especially padding like in my opinion, I believe, I think, or
I feel.
SEE “HOLES ON THE LEFT” HANDOUT FOR
ADDITIONAL TABOOS
COMMON ERRORS
7. Apostrophes
___When needed, use apostrophes to make nouns
possessive.
___ Use contractions sparingly in formal writing.
8. Numbers
___For numbers nine and under, write out the word (two,
six); for numbers 10 and above, use numerals (14, 483).
Use numerals for dates, money, and time (11:15 a.m. but
eleven o’clock).
 Don’t begin sentences with an arabic numeral or other
symbol.
9. Quotation Marks
___When using quotation marks with commas and
periods, always put the marks outside the comma or
period. Examples:
• His only answer was a brief “no.”
• He was a “nerd,” but everyone liked him.
10. First and Second-Person Pronouns
____ Unless given the ok, avoid using personal pronouns
(I, me) in your academic essay
____Unless otherwise instructed, never directly address
the reader with you, your, or yours.
11. Modern Spellings
___ thru nite tho gotta altho lite alright
These spellings are not yet acceptable in Standard
English. Use the correct spellings.
12. a lot
___This is a misspelling of two words: a lot. However,
don’t use either. Many, much, or some other indefinite
pronoun is preferable.
13. really, very, or great
___As intensifiers, these words are overused and
meaningless. Avoid them. Improve your vocabulary by
using other, more descriptive intensifiers.
14. a or an
___a comes before words beginning with a consonant.
___an comes before words beginning with a vowel (a, e,
I, o, u).
15. thing, things or something
___Change these empty words to a specific noun or
nouns.
Not:
I’ll study things I can use in my job.
Instead: I’ll study algebra and trigonometry,
which I can use in my job.