Essay Checklist for Errors

This, of course, is only a partial checklist. Although you make take the advice of others who look at your essay the final responsibility for the end product remains with you.

 

1)      Content

-          is the subject specific and supportable

-          is the thesis clear

-          are the main points arranged in an appropriate order

-          are there errors with the logic

 

2)      Paragraphs

-          each paragraph sticks to its topic

-          topic sentence is clear

-          transitions between paragraphs are smooth

 

3)      Sentences

-     look for fragments

-          look for run-ons and comma splice errors

-          spelling….watch for homonyms and wrong word errors

 

4)      punctuation

-          check your comma use

-          check semicolons and colons

 

5)      citation

-          are all short quotes integrated

-          are all long quotes double indented

-          do all quotes contain in-text citation

-          check the format of the Works Cited page

-          check Works Cited entries

 

6)      final task

After the essay is revised you are to complete the following before handing it in.

-          go to Dairy Queen (may be substituted with other locations)

-          purchase favorite product

-          consume same product – you’ve earned it

Introductory Paragraph – introductory level

When working on a basic essay introduction there are some points to remember. The reader needs some information from you so they can follow what you are saying. The introduction needs the title and author of the work. You need to establish the topic of the essay.

Remember that literary papers are a form of persuasive writing, so expain what the general idea or problem that your paper will explore.

Your thesis statement is a claim that you will prove in the body of your essay. Create a thesis that must be proven as, if it something that everyone agrees with, then your essay has no direction. Never write the thesis in the form of a question; instead, make it a one sentence answer to the central question of your paper. The best place for the thesis is the last sentence of the opening paragraph as that is where readers expect to see it.

See if you can motivate the reader by creating interest. Is there an underlying truth that others miss? Is there a twist that you think needs to pointed out? The introduction is the place to prepare the readers for what will follow.

One more basic idea to keep in mind. Some of you may have been taught to treat the reader like they have never read the original text. That is wrong. It results in giving a summary of the entire text and you do not have that kind of space. Instead, treat readers like they have the text in front of them but do not understand it. Then you can point to specific passages with quotes and make your argument.

Some Basic Dead Duck Rules of Writing Essays

• use standard size white paper
• type using Times New Roman 12 point font
• print in black ink
• 1 inch margins on all sides
• do not staple a dead duck to your essay
• staple or paper clip essays – do not just fold together
• double space all text
• no extra spacing between paragraphs – watch as some programs are set to do that
• indent all paragraphs
• at the top left of the first page list the following information

your name

my name

course name and number

date submitted

• following that information have a creative title that is centered but not underlined or in bold or italics