9 Revision Checklist
Use this as a guide while revising and editing your essay. Check every item.
- _____Do I have an interesting introductory paragraph?
- _____Is my thesis clearly stated? Is it arguable?
- _____Does each of my middle paragraphs develop my thesis?
- _____Do I support my argument with enough specific material?
- _____Am I telling too much, and not showing enough
- _____Do I present more detail than is necessary?
- _____Have I introduced extraneous material?
- _____Am I retelling too much of the story?
- _____Do I anticipate and address relevant counterarguments?
- _____Does my conclusion follow from my thesis and argument?
- _____Have I defended my position?
- _____Did I oversimplify for the sake of closure?
- _____Do I have logical transitions between sentences and paragraphs?
- _____Do my transitions connect my ideas explicitly enough?
- _____Do they show that I am developing an argument, not just repeating?
- _____Do all my paragraphs have either explicit topic sentences or clearly implied main ideas that are connected to my thesis?
- _____Do all my sentences clearly support their paragraph’s main idea?
- _____Should I rearrange any sentences to better effect? Paragraphs?
- _____Can I vary the makeup of any sentences to avoid monotony?
- _____Can I cut out any sentences that I don’t need for my argument?
- _____Do I use any pretentious words, clichés, or jargon?
- _____Do I use any offensive language or inappropriate diction?
- _____Have I looked specifically for spelling, punctuation, and usage problems that have been pointed out to me in previous essays?
- _____Have I merely given a “reading” or have I presented an argument grounded in texts or evidence?
- _____Have I borrowed any ideas from others without crediting my sources? That is, have I accidentally plagiarized?
