Thesis and Organization
• Is the thesis clearly stated?
• Does the thesis make clear what can be expected of the content and development of the paper?
• Are the points presented in a logical sequence?
• If appropriate, are the points ordered emphatically?
• Does each paragraph develop and support the main idea?
• Are transitions used to connect ideas?
Content
• Does the introduction engage the readers and let them know what to expect in the paper without revealing content?
• Are all the points fully developed?
• Do the sources support the points?
• Is there enough support for each point?
• Is the evidentiary material appropriate to the paper?
• Is all the source material properly introduced and integrated into the paper so that the writer remains in control of the paper?
• Are sources documented properly according to the required style of documentation?
• Is there a page that correctly lists the sources according to the required style of documentation (i.e., a “Works Cited” page)?
• Does the conclusion leave the readers with a sense of closure or a call to action?
Diction and Tone
• Is the diction appropriate for an academic context?
• Does the writing have a clear point of view?
• Is there strong use of appropriate attributive verbs?
Mechanics
• Are the attributive verbs in a correct and consistent verb tense?
• Is the writing in third person instead of addressing the reader as “you”?
• Are all the words spelled correctly?
