Tips for earning higher grades on written assignments
For easy ways to improve your paper, please see
my
English Matters page.
When you're finished with a
draft, use the following "Handy Checklist For Better Critical
Writing" adapted from Douglas J. Soccio's How to Get the Most Out
of Philosophy (Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1998) 90:
Review this list whenever you write, proofread, or revise.
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Is the first paragraph so clear that any reader will know
exactly what the topic is?
Does the first or second paragraph clearly describe your
strategy for dealing with your topic?
Are all sentences grammatically correct?
Are all sentences punctuated correctly?
Are all words spelled correctly?
Is your essay or paper well organized?
Does your essay or paper use specific examples and language
to show that you are familiar with the assigned readings and any other
important material?
Does your essay or paper end with a clear and obvious
summation and conclusion, keyed precisely and directly to what you say in
the body of the text?
Are your topic and conclusion paragraphs consistent?
Are all sources properly documented (footnotes, etc.)? Does
your paper have a complete, properly formatted (and punctuated) list of
works cited? NB: Bible references
should be included in the paper within parentheses.
Have you followed all formatting instructions given above?
Have you proofread the final version of your essay or paper?
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