Self-Editing Checklist for College Papers
Introduction
☐ Title
You should have an interesting, meaningful title that captures the reader’s attention. ٴDz’t simply name the assignment (i.e., Argument Essay).
☐ Hook
The opening sentence(s) of your paper should grab the reader’s interest and make them want to read more. Possibilities:
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- Brief story that illustrates your main idea (HINT: be sure you can connect this to your thesis in a meaningful way)
- Concrete example
- Surprising fact
☐ Thesis
A strong thesis statement will provide a clear outline for the whole paper. Keep in mind:
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- The thesis should match the assignment. A thesis for a compare-contrast paper will be different from a thesis for a research paper or a persuasive paper.
- A thesis should never be written as a question.
- A thesis statement is often placed at the end of the introductory paragraph.
- A strong thesis statement will often forecast the main points to be covered in the paper.
- A separate forecast statement can also work well.
Body Paragraphs
☐ Does each paragraph have a topic sentence that clearly summarizes all of the points in that paragraph?
☐ Does each topic sentence clearly relate back to the thesis statement?
☐ Does all of the information in the paragraph relate to the topic sentence?
☐ Are the body paragraphs in the same order as the topics in your thesis/forecast statement?
☐ Does the concluding sentence in each provide a transition to the next paragraph
Editing the Text
☐ Have you removed unnecessary words, especially adverbs (very, really…)?
☐ Have you used a varied vocabulary? Use a thesaurus or dictionary to find replacements for repeated words.
☐ Are your sentences varied in terms of length and structure? A mixture of long and short sentences is best.
☐ Are all of your transitions smooth and clear?
☐ Are your verb tenses consistent? Do they match your discipline? (History=past; Literature=present)
☐ Are you using strong, interesting verbs? (“hurried to the store” is more interesting than “went to the store”).
☐ Are you using active voice rather than passive voice? Examples:
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- Active voice: Andrew bought the book.
- Passive voice: The book was bought by Andrew.
☐ Have you read your paper out loud to catch errors that are hard to find? (This really is one of the best ways to revise your writing.)
Formatting
☐ Did you make sure the margins, page numbers, headings, line spacing, & etc., meet the formatting style the instructor requires? HINT: The Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) website provides helpful guidelines for most formatting styles, including:
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- MLA (English & Humanities)
- APA (Social Sciences)
- Chicago Manual of Style (History)
☐ Margins
☐ Page numbers
☐ Heading(s)/Cover Page
☐ References/Works Cited/Bibliography Page
Integration of Sources
☐ Have you placed a citation after EVERY use of source material?
☐Concepts/Ideas: Even if they are described in your own words, concepts and ideas derived from sources should be cited.
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☐Are all of your quotations introduced and explained properly?
Grammar and Mechanics
☐ Have you checked your paper for spelling errors?
☐ Have you looked for common punctuation problems, such as comma usage?
☐ Is your paper free of fragments and run-ons?
The Learning Center
☐ Have you considered making an appointment with an English Specialist in the Learning Center? We can help!
☐ Have you considered using the Online Writing Center? You typically will receive comments within 24 hours.
