Your Essay Checklist
Directions: Answer the questions or using the number rating system, circle the number you think most accurately describes how well
(or poorly) you accomplished your tasks. Consider 1 to be “not at all,” 3 to be “kinda-sorta” and 5 to be “Oh yeah! They are on
it!” Be honest. I will be checking how you perceive your essay and if you followed the required elements.
Before you begin, make sure that you read the writing prompt question that you responded to so that you understand what the prompt
SHOULD BE focusing on.
1.
Do you have a good title for your essay?
2.
What is your title
yes
no
__________________________________________________________________________
Introduction:
1. Do YOU have a thoughtful, engaging hook that draws the
1
2
3
4
5
reader into “hmmm…I am interested already”
2. After reading the intro, does the hook connect to the rest of the
yes
no
writer’s content (sometimes a student’s hook seems to stand
alone)
If it doesn’t clearly connect, then you need work on revising and transitioning for cohesion.
3. Do You have author/ title?
4. Do YOU offer brief background so the reader understands
what’s going on in the story?
5. Is the thesis easily identifiable, well-phrased argument that
addresses the writing prompt?
6. You should be using the INTEGRATED THESIS formula for
this essay. What would you score it.
(see your yellow packet)
yes
1
2
no
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
7. Please write down your thesis?
Body Paragraph #1
1. Is there a clear topic sentence connected to the thesis?
1
2
3
4
5
2. Please explain the connection: ________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Count the number of direct pieces of evidence YOU use in this
paragraph.
______________________________________
Look at the page in your yellow packet called “Sophistication w/ quotes” and use the examples from that page
4. Do YOU quote plunk any of the quotes?
Yes
no
If you have quote plunked, please remedy the situation before you submit.
5. Do YOU use a poor use of quotations?
Yes
no
If you have used a poor use of quotation, please remedy the situation before you submit.
6. Do YOU have a more effective use of quotes?
Yes
no
7. If you said yes, write down one example where YOU use an effective use of quotes and explain where YOU did a good job:
______________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. How informative is the analysis? Does the analysis connect to the argument
YOU are trying to make in the topic and in the thesis statement
1
2
3
4
5
4
5
With a yellow highlighter, highlight what you think is analysis in your first paragraph only
9. How effective is YOUR use of transitions or
transition sentences?
10. List two transitions that YOU use effectively:
1
2
1.
11.Is the paragraph filled with more summary or analysis?
3
2.
__________________________________
If your paragraph is filled more with summary, please reevaluate your analysis
12. Overall, is the paragraph clear and helps support your thesis clearly?
1
2
3
4
5
Body Paragraph #2
1. Is there a clear topic sentence connected to the thesis?
1
2
3
4
5
2. Please explain the connection: ________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Count the number of direct pieces of evidence YOU use in this
_____________________
paragraph.
Look at the page in your yellow packet called “Sophistication w/ quotes” and use the examples from that page
4. Do YOU quote plunk any of the quotes?
Yes
no
If you have quote plunked, please remedy the situation before you submit.
5. Do YOU use a poor use of quotations?
Yes
no
If you have used a poor use of quotation, please remedy the situation before you submit.
6. Do YOU have a more effective use of quotes?
Yes
no
7. If you said yes, write down one example where YOU use an effective use of quotes and explain where YOU did a good job:
______________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. How informative is the analysis? Does the analysis connect to the argument
YOU are trying to make in the topic and in the thesis statement?
1
2
3
4
5
4
5
With a yellow highlighter, highlight what you think is analysis in your 2nd paragraph
9. How effective is YOUR use of transitions or
transition sentences?
10. List two transitions that YOU use effectively:
1
1.
2
3
2.
11.Is the paragraph filled with more summary or analysis?
__________________________________
If your paragraph is filled more with summary, please reevaluate your analysis
12. Overall, is the paragraph clear and helps support your thesis clearly?
1
2
3
4
5
Body Paragraph #3
1. Is there a clear topic sentence connected to the thesis?
1
2
3
4
5
2. Please explain the connection: ________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Count the number of direct pieces of evidence YOU use in this
paragraph.
_________________________
Look at the page in your yellow packet called “Sophistication w/ quotes” and use the examples from that page
4. Do YOU quote plunk any of the quotes?
Yes
no
If you have quote plunked, please remedy the situation before you submit.
5. Do YOU use a poor use of quotations?
Yes
no
If you have used a poor use of quotation, please remedy the situation before you submit.
6. Do YOU have a more effective use of quotes?
Yes
no
7. If you said yes, write down one example where YOU use an effective use of quotes and explain where YOU did a good job:
______________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. How informative is the analysis? Does the analysis connect to the argument
YOU are trying to make in the topic and in the thesis statement
1
2
3
4
5
9. How effective is YOUR use of transitions or
transition sentences?
1
2
3
4
5
10.Is the paragraph filled with more summary or analysis?
__________________________________
If your paragraph is filled more with summary, please reevaluate your analysis
11. Overall, is the paragraph clear and helps support your thesis clearly?
1
2
3
4
5
Do you have a well-connected conclusion?
1
2
3
4
5
Do you bring anything new into the conclusion YOU
have not addressed in the body paragraphs?
Yes
No
Have your followed the proper MLA Format style
Yes
No
If not, please remedy the situation before you submit.
Are all of your citations properly formatted in MLA.
Yes
If not, please remedy the situation before you submit.
No
Have you checked, revised and edited grammar issues, sentence structures
spelling to the very BEST of your ability?
Yes
No
Overall, what would you rate this essay?
1
2
3
4
5