History 4990

Final Draft

The final draft should be very close to the completed paper. It should include:

• footnotes
• bibliography
• be free of grammatical and spelling errors
• show that you are ready to complete the thesis

• Do I catch the reader's interest, provide relevant background, and narrow the topic into a thesis statement? Does the thesis encompass all of my key ideas? 

• Have I clearly organized my paragraphs, using one main idea per paragraph? Have I included a topic sentence to introduce the main idea for each paragraph?

• Have I used transitions as links back to the thesis and to preceding paragraphs?

•  Does my argument:

  •  have a clear structure? (Can I easily outline it? Can someone else?)

  • develop in the most logical order? Would a different organization be more effective?

  • respond in sufficient depth to all aspects of the assignment?

• Do I have enough evidence, or too much? Does my evidence advance the argument in some way, without repeating the same points? Does each sub-argument have enough explanation and support (quotations, detailed discussion of events or language,...)?

• Do I explain in my own words the significance of all quotations? Am I using quotations to support my own analysis?

• Am I using the documentation method my professor requires?

• Does my conclusion bring my argument to a close? Does it tie the argument together in such way that the reader knows my purpose in writing this paper?

• Does it accomplish more, such as provide a broader context for the topic, propose a course of action, offer a new perspective on the topic, or end with an interesting twist?

• Do I leave my reader with something to ponder?

• What grammatical and stylistic concerns do I see? Have I written with clarity and conciseness? Check for the following:

  • correct word choice, punctuation, spelling

  • clear pronoun reference (tip: avoid 'this is,' 'it is,' and 'that is' constructions)

  • consistent verb tense

  • variety in sentence structure

• Is the emotional tone I use appropriate for my audience and topic?

• What more could I say in the next draft? Could I strengthen my argument with further evidence, provide a broader context, or examine counter-arguments?

• What could I eliminate in the next draft? Have I used irrelevant or repetitive ideas, unnecessary quotations...?

•  Read your draft aloud. We often hear weaknesses in writing more readily than we see them.

• Keep a reader in mind. Ask yourself, "Could someone else understand what I am saying?"

• Have someone else read your draft--a writing tutor, a friend, a roommate. It is very difficult to be objective about your own writing. Be sure to acknowledge all help you receive and make sure there is no conflict of interest if you work with someone else from the same class.