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EDITING CHECKLIST — Thirteen Questions to Ask Yourself

Please note that this checklist is not exhaustive, but suggestive only.

• Is the title of my essay at least moderately informative?
  
• Do I identify the subject of my essay (author and title) clearly?
  
• What is my thesis?  Do I state it soon enough (perhaps even in the title) and keep it in view?
  
• Is the organization reasonable?  Does each point lead into the next without irrelevancies and without anticlimaxes?
  
• Is each paragraph unified by a topic sentence or a topic idea?  Are there adequate transitions from one paragraph to the next?
  
• Are generalizations supported by appropriate concrete details, especially by brief quotations in the text?
  
• Is the opening paragraph interesting and, by its end, focused on the topic?  Is the final paragraph conclusive without being repetitive?
  
• Is the tone appropriate?  No sarcasm, no apologies, no condescension?
  
• If there is a summary, is it as brief as possible, given its purpose?
• Are the quotations accurate?  Do they serve a purpose other than to add words to the essay?
  
• Is documentation provided where necessary?
  
• Are the spelling and punctuation correct?  Are other mechanical matters (such as margins, spacing, and citations) in correct form?  Have I proofread carefully?
  
• Is the paper properly identified—author's name, instructor's name—course number, and date?
  

Good luck!