Checklist for an Expository Essay
Checklist for an Introduction Paragraph:
_____ Did you indent the start of this and every paragraph?
_____ Is it double-spaced?
_____ Did you include an attention-grabber at the beginning of your introduction?
_____ Does it have a clear thesis statement?
_____ Do you introduce the 3 sub-topics that will be discussed in each body paragraph?
Checklist for Body Paragraph 1:
_____ Does this paragraph have a topic sentence to introduce what the paragraph will be about?
_____ Is there lots of detail about your first example?
_____ Did you use transitions between each example?
_____ Is there lots of detail about the second example?
_____ Does every sentence in this paragraph connect to the topic sentence?
_____ Do you have a wrap-up sentence connecting your sub-topic back to your thesis
Checklist for Body Paragraph 2:
_____ Does this paragraph have a topic sentence to introduce what the paragraph will be about?
_____ Is there lots of detail about your first example?
_____ Did you use transitions between each example?
_____ Is there lots of detail about the second example?
_____ Does every sentence in this paragraph connect to the topic sentence?
_____ Do you have a wrap-up sentence connecting your sub-topic back to your thesis
Checklist for Body Paragraph 3:
_____ Does this paragraph have a topic sentence to introduce what the paragraph will be about?
_____ Is there lots of detail about your first example?
_____ Did you use transitions between each example?
_____ Is there lots of detail about the second example?
_____ Does every sentence in this paragraph connect to the topic sentence?
_____ Do you have a wrap-up sentence connecting your sub-topic back to your thesis
Conclusion:
_____ Did you sum up your sub-topics from your body paragraphs?
_____ Did you use synonyms so your conclusion does not sound repetitive?
_____ Did you “hammer” in your thesis one last time?
_____ Did you avoid including any new information that is not in your body paragraphs?
_____ Did you leave the reader with one last thought about your topic?
General writing checklist:
_____ Did you check for spelling error?
_____ Did you check for grammar errors?
_____ Are there any awkward sounding sentences (read your essay aloud to see)?
_____ Did you check for punctuation errors?
_____ Did you check that all your sentences are complete ideas?
_____ Did you avoid repetition within the text (do your sentences sound the same)?
_____ Is the language/vocabulary varied and appropriate (using a thesaurus & dictionary)?
_____ Are you avoiding broadcasting or announcing your intentions? (In this paragraph I will…)