1.10: Revision Checklist

Use this as a guide while revising and editing your essay. Check every item.

1. _____Do I have an interesting introductory paragraph?
2. _____Is my thesis clearly stated? Is it arguable?
3. _____Does each of my middle paragraphs develop my thesis?
4. _____Do I support my argument with enough specific material?
5. _____Am I telling too much, and not showing enough
6. _____Do I present more detail than is necessary?
7. _____Have I introduced extraneous material?
8. _____Am I retelling too much of the story?
9. _____Do I anticipate and address relevant counterarguments?
10. _____Does my conclusion follow from my thesis and argument?
11. _____Have I defended my position?
12. _____Did I oversimplify for the sake of closure?
13. _____Do I have logical transitions between sentences and paragraphs?
14. _____Do my transitions connect my ideas explicitly enough?
15. _____Do they show that I am developing an argument, not just repeating?
16. _____Do all my paragraphs have either explicit topic sentences or clearly implied main ideas that are connected to my thesis?
17. _____Do all my sentences clearly support their paragraph’s main idea?
18. _____Should I rearrange any sentences to better effect? Paragraphs?
19. _____Can I vary the makeup of any sentences to avoid monotony?
20. _____Can I cut out any sentences that I don’t need for my argument?
21. _____Do I use any pretentious words, clichés, or jargon?
22. _____Do I use any offensive language or inappropriate diction?
23. _____Have I looked specifically for spelling, punctuation, and usage problems that have been pointed out to me in previous essays?
24. _____Have I merely given a “reading” or have I presented an argument grounded in texts or evidence?
25. _____Have I borrowed any ideas from others without crediting my sources? That is, have I accidentally plagiarized?

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