ESL 111

Unit: Presidential Elections

Act 6

Editing Checklist--Presidential Elections

ORGANIZATION

1. Does the essay clearly have an introduction, thesis, body and conclusion?

2 Is the thesis clearly stated at the end of the introduction? What is it?

3. Does the thesis outline the main points to be expected in the body of the essay? If not, does it clearly state the main argument of the paper?

4. Is the thesis sufficiently and convincingly supported?

5. Does each paragraph in the body begin with a topic sentence relate back to the thesis?

6. Does the essay end with a concluding paragraph that sums up or reviews the main points and restates the thesis in different words?

7. Is the essay coherent? That is, are each of the paragraphs linked in a logical manner?

CONTENT

1. Does the thesis include an opinion? Is it reasonable?

2. Is each main point supported by enough evidence?

a. use of outside sources (articles)

- are these sources used appropriately to support the main points?

- are all summaries and paraphrases written entirely in the author's own words?

- Are all summaries, paraphrases and quotations correctly documented?

b. use of personal experience

- is this directly relevant to the point being made?

GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS

1. Has the author proofread for spelling and grammar? Circle any obvious mistakes, and mark them with Bedford Handbook symbols.

2 Is the paper typed/legible, double-spaced?

3. Is the first sentence of each paragraph indented?

4. Is the essay given a title?

VOCABULARY AND STYLE

1. Is the essay written objectively (personal pronouns avoided when possible)?

2. Is the essay written in sufficiently formal English (no contractions, use of slang)?

3. Is the essay written in gender neutral language?