Essay 1 Revision Checklist
Essay 1 Revision ChecklistRevision is the phase of rewriting that focuses on improving the content and organization of your essay. In general, it's best to begin your rewriting with revision. Once the content and organization seem to be in place, then you should edit and proofread your essay.
Use the checklist below to help yourself assess and improve the content and organization of Essay 1.
1. _____ Introduction that provides context and leads the reader toward the thesis statement (probably about a third of a page long, counting the thesis statement).
2. _____ Clear thesis statement at the end of your introduction that identifies the place you've chosen and summarizes its importance or significance. Recommendation: Underline your thesis and check that it really sums up your whole essay.
3. _____ A background paragraph that provides basic information about the place. Reminder: Your background paragraph may serve as your introduction, as long as it ends with your thesis statement.
4. _____ Several paragraphs that each identify and explain one of the key qualities of the place that make it important or significant. Reminder: You probably will have 4-6 of these paragraphs. Each body paragraph should be at least half a page long.
5. _____ A topic sentence for each body paragraph (typically at the beginning of each paragraph) that sums up the main point of the paragraph and supports your thesis statement. Recommendation: Underline each topic sentence to help yourself check. Copy and paste your thesis and topic sentences into one paragraph.
6. _____ Support for each topic sentence that provides specific details, examples, or explanations. Reminder: Check for unity (all the ideas belong in the paragraph) and a logical organization of the ideas in each paragraph.
7. _____ Effective use of transitions and repetition within paragraphs to create coherence: a clear, logical "flow" of ideas.
8. _____ Logical order for all of the body paragraphs in the essay.
9. _____ Effective use of transitions and repetition between paragraphs to create coherence: a clear, logical "flow" of ideas from one paragraph to the next. Recommendation: Especially read the last sentences of one paragraph and the first sentence of the next to check for this "flow."
10. _____ A conclusion that reinforces the thesis, echoes the introduction, and ends the essay on a strong note (probably about a third of a page).