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Revision Checklist

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Advanced Composition | Objectives | Get Opinionated

Research Topic Ideas | Narrow the SearchResearch Rubric

 Portfolio Guidelines

In completing a research paper, it is important to be aware of several elements: thought development, research skills, composition, and language skills.

Contents

q       closely related to topic (unity)

q       clearly related to each other (coherence)

q       sufficient to support thesis statement

Organization

Introduction

q       main idea clearly stated

q       opening paragraph catches readers’ attention

q       thesis presents a question, a moral dilemma, or an unusual aspect of the topic to be explored in the paper.

Body                                                                                             

q       each paragraph has a topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph

q       each sentence in the paragraph relates to the topic sentence

q       each sentence connects to others (transition is evident, especially between paragraphs)

q       quotes blend in smoothly

q       topic sentences are adequately supported with evidence

q       topic sentences themselves support the thesis

Conclusion                                                                                

q       conclusion brings closure

q       concluding paragraphs are interesting and convincing

Use of Sources                                                                                                Back to Top

q       variety

q       none overused

q       citations included

Sentence Structure

q       avoidance of fragments

q       avoidance of run-ons

q       variety of sentence beginnings, types, and length

Word Choice

q       choice of interesting, specific words

q       avoidance of clichés

q       language sufficiently formal


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Editing Checklist

  Grammar and Syntax

q       spellcheck run

q       correct use of troublesome words (there, their, they’re, etc.)

q       use of third person or first person plural point of view

q       subject-verb agreement

q       noun-pronoun agreement

q       clear antecedents

q       consistency of verb tense (historical present)

Print Friendly Version

Advanced Composition | Objectives | Get Opinionated

Research Topic Ideas | Narrow the SearchResearch Rubric

 Portfolio GuidelinesPortfolio Rubric

Mrs. Nussbaum's Home Page | Back to Top