Checklist
for Effective Writing
Use this checklist
to evaluate your writing. This document is feely adapted from John Langan's
excellent book, College Writing Skills.
1. Unity
-
Clearly stated
thesis in the introduction of your paper
-
All the supporting
paragraphs clearly intended to support your thesis
2. Support
-
As many supporting
points for your thesis as you can [at least two]
-
Specific evidence
for each of the supporting points
3. Coherence
-
Clear organization
-
Smooth transitions
and use of other connecting words or devices
-
Effective introduction,
body and conclusion with title
4. Sentence
Skills
-
Fragment eliminated
-
Run-ons eliminated
-
Correct verb forms
-
Subject and verb
agreement
-
Faulty paralellism
and faulty modifiers eliminated
-
Faulty pronouns
eliminated
-
Capital letters
used correctly
-
Puncutation where
necessary
-
Proper format
-
Needless words
eliminate
-
Syntax
-
Spelling [no excuses]
-
Varied sentence
structure
5. Other
Skills
-
Unwanted or unintentional
sexism/bias eliminated
-
Clarity
-
Style