english final essay

You may not know exactly what to check for once you have finished your essay. You know you should check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling, but beyond those technical details, what else can you do to make your essay better?

Writing experts generally agree that details such as grammar and punctuation are important; however, solid organization, fresh writing, and creative content is even more important.

Use the questions listed below to help you think about ways you might revise your essay. Also, you may want to watch this YouTube video to understand the difference between revising and editing and to see the revision process in action: Revising College Essays

Organization

· Is there a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?

· Does the introduction provide sufficient background for the reader? Are the "who," "where," "why," "what," and "how" questions addressed?

· Is there a thesis sentence? Is the purpose of the essay clear?

· Does the essay move from general to specific?

· Are there sufficient transitions between related ideas?

· How can the overall organization of the essay be improved? Do the ideas flow in a logical order?  Consider moving paragraphs around to see if there might be a better order.

· Does the writer avoid introducing new material in the conclusion or switching subjects in the middle of a paragraph in the body?

· Does every paragraph address the subject matter of the thesis in some way?

Content and Style

· Does the essay show that the writer has knowledge of the audience and a specific audience in mind?

· Is the length appropriate and adequate?

· Has the writer used sufficient examples and details to make his or her points clear?

· Has the assignment been addressed?

· Is the tone of the essay appropriate?

· Has the writer avoided insulting the reader?

· Is the tone of the essay professional and appropriate?

· Is the language convincing, clear, and concise?

· Has the writer used fresh language and a creative approach?

Research and Sources

· Are all sources credible? Or, if they are no credible, is there an explanation as to why those sources being used?

· Is the research accurate, unbiased, and complete?

· Has the writer fully interpreted the findings?

· Has the writer commented on each source used?

· Is the analysis based on hard evidence?

· Is the analysis free of faulty reasoning or logical fallacies?

· Is the documentation in the Works Cited page and body of the essay correct?

· Have all quotations been checked against the original?

· Are all quotations introduced?

· Is the flow of the essay seamless?

· If material was paraphrased, are the sources still mentioned and cited?

· If necessary, are limitations of the argument clearly spelled out?

· If included, are recommendations based on accurate interpretations?

· Have all facts been checked for accuracy?

· Have any potentially libelous statements been eliminated?

Once you finish looking over the essay for content and organizational issues, proofread one more time before you post the final draft.

Proofreading

· Has the writer checked grammar and punctuation?

· Has the writer spell checked the essay?

· Has the writer checked for his or her particular pattern of error?

· Are the page numbers correct?

· Is the title capitalized correctly?

· Has the writer used the correct margin and font?