Generic Comments on Essays
Below you will find a list of common comments about writing. I have checked off areas that you may need to
improve in your writing. Remember that this does not merely apply to essay writing, but short or timed writing
assignments as well. Use them as a guide to improving your overall writing. These comments would also be
helpful in reflecting on writing in your Writing Portfolio.
Craft of Writing
 Be sure that Introduction contains a General Statement of the topic, Details, and a Thesis Statement.
 Thesis Statement should be a provable argument which includes: Theme Statement, Author, Title, and
Controls (dependent on Essay)
 Body Paragraphs should be logically arranged by strength of argument, chronologically, thematically, etc.
 Conclusion should: Restate Thesis (in different words), Summarize Major Arguments, state a Purpose for
reading the essay.
 Use transitional phrases to enhance connections between ideas: For Example, However, Although,
Furthermore, etc.
 Vary syntax (sentence structure): Complex, Compound, Compound-Complex, Simple, etc.
 Use transitional sentences to guide the reader through ideas: “Not only does…. but the narrator also…”
 Use more specific Active Verbs (demonstrates, proves, asserts, etc.) as opposed to Passive Verbs (is
showing, is proving, is demonstrating, is saying, etc)
 Increase Sentence Fluency especially when introducing quotations: make the introduction to quotations
flow seamlessly into the quotation itself.
 Avoid “empty” sentences which do not enhance your argument
 Avoid “point blank” statements which include unrelated details in your sentences
 Avoid “overloaded” statements which state too many ideas in one sentence.
 Avoid “padded” sentences which include useless words such as “due to the fact that” instead of “due to”
 Avoid clichés and other informalities: “that guy,” “live life to the fullest,” etc.
 Extend Vocabulary to include more sophisticated diction: Ex. instead of “uses” say “employs”
Arguments & Support – Body Paragraphs
 Make provable, arguable statements at the beginning of Body Paragraphs
 Provide context which does not merely summarize the evidence
 Provide context to quotations to help the reader understand your evidence or part of the story
 Choose more relevant evidence
 Choose more varied evidence
 Explain evidence’s relevance to thesis and subthesis
 Extend argument to connect with life, the time period, the author, and/or the purpose
 Account for more than just a portion of the text when formulating your argument (note: this is when you
are analyzing an entire text as opposed to a just a section)
Formatting
 Check MLA style Headings for your Essay
 Include last name and page number at the top right hand corner (with the exception of page 1)
 Use correct formatting for In-Text Citations: Ex. “quote quote quote” (Smith 3).
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Include In-Text Citation at the end of the sentence unless you are showing comparisons
Be sure the use of Paraphrasing or using Ellipses (…) keeps the original meaning of the quotation
Make use of Block Quotes when quoting more than four lines of text
Double Space entire Essay
Use 1” Margins
Do not include space between Headings, Title, or Paragraphs
Include a Title to the Essay
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
 Edit essay for Run-on Sentences
 Separate two Independent Clauses using a semi-colon (;) or by using a comma followed by FANBOYS
 When beginning with a Dependent Clause, use a comma to separate it from the Independent Clause
 Do not use a comma when beginning with an Independent Clause followed by a Dependent Clause
 Edit essay for correctly used periods, commas, semi-colors (;), or colons (:)
 Edit essay for Incomplete Sentences
 Edit essay for Misplaced Modifiers
 Edit essay for Subject/Verb agreement
 Discuss works of literature in the Present Tense: Ex. ‘He holds’ instead of ‘He held’
 Maintain consistent tense throughout the essay
 Edit essay for misspelled words
 Check close synonyms for semantic meanings: Ex.
 Check commonly mistaken words for correct usage: effect v. affect, their/they’re/there, to/two/too,
its/it’s, etc.
 Avoid abbreviating terms: “vs.” as opposed to “versus”
 In a formal, analytical essay, avoid using 1st and 2nd person pronouns such as I, me, my, mine, you, your,
you’re, yours
 Edit essay for correct Pronoun/ Antecedent agreement