Essay 1 Checklist
Essay 1 ChecklistREVISION
1. _____ Introduction that provides context and leads the reader toward the thesis statement (probably about a third of a page long, counting the thesis statement).
2. _____ Clear thesis statement at the end of your introduction that identifies the target market and central message of the advertisement you've chosen. Recommendation: Underline your thesis.
3. _____ A description paragraph that includes enough details from the advertisement to remind your reader of the important features of the ad. Reminder: Your description paragraph may serve as your introduction, as long as it ends with your thesis statement.
4. _____ A topic sentence for each analysis paragraph (typically at the beginning of each paragraph) that summarizes connections between some feature of the ad and your thesis statement. Recommendation: Try underlining each topic sentence to help yourself check.
5. _____ Support for each topic sentence that examines specific details and offers insight (explains significance of the details and links them to each topic sentence). Reminder: You should have 4-6 analysis paragraphs, each one about half a page long.
6. _____ Effective use of transitions and repetition within paragraphs to create a logical "flow" of ideas.
7. _____ Logical order for all of the body paragraphs in the essay.
8. _____ Effective use of transitions and repetition between paragraphs to create a logical "flow" of ideas.
9. _____ A conclusion that reinforces the thesis, echoes the introduction, and ends the essay on a strong note (probably about a third of a page).
EDITING (Recommendation: Read through your essay four times, once for each item below. Try reading backwards, sentence-by-sentence, for at least one of the readings.)
1. _____ No syntax errors (especially fragments, comma-splices, confusing sentences, wrong word errors).
2. _____ No stylistic weaknesses (especially any use of "I," "you," or slang).
3. _____ No grammar errors (for example, subject-verb agreement errors, verb tense errors, pronoun errors, etc.).
4. _____ No spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors.
PROOFREADING
1. _____ Correct MLA format. Recommendation: Check SG, pp. 333-37.
| _____ Heading in top left-hand corner of page 1 (name, instructor, class, date) | |
| _____ Informative title, centered left to write | |
| _____ Heading in top right-hand corner of pages 2-4 (Last Name #). | |
| _____ Double-spaced text. Reminder: No extra spaces between paragraphs. | |
| _____ 1-inch margins on top, bottom, and sides. |
2. _____ 12-point type, Times New Roman.
3. _____ Quality print job (no blue print, streaks, low toner, etc.).
4. _____ No typos.