WHAT TO STRIVE FOR AND WHAT TO AVOID
If you can answer "YES" to these questions, then you are on the way to a good paper…
· Did you learn new, interesting information in the process of
completing this paper?
· Did you convey this growth through your writing?
· Did you clearly state your thesis and your purpose--either analytical
or persuasive?
· Is your paper organized clearly, explaining your points step
by step?
· Is your paper based on strong factual evidence?
· Is the evidence properly cited both within the paper and in the
"Works Cited" page?
· Did you take proper notes, clearly distinguishing between quoting,
paraphrasing, and summarizing to avoid plagiarism?
· Did you edit this paper over an extended time period, so it would
seem fresh to you?
· Did others help you edit?
· Is your writing style and tone consistent and appropriate?
· Did you use evidence properly, introducing and explaining quotes?
· Did you stay focused on the point of your paper and not drift
to other issues?
Watch Out For…
· Words that pass the spell check but are still incorrect in the
context of your writing
· Assuming more knowledge on the subject of your paper than the
reader has
· Word choice that sticks out as awkward among the rest of your
paper, words that are too common or have too strong a tone
· Proof that doesn't clearly explain your point or that some may
interpret to contradict your point
· Missing links in logic
· Choppy transitions in thought
· Careful transposition of notes to your final paper
· Missed citation of a quote/paraphrase
· Wordiness that acts like a fog, blurring your points
· Evidence that is presented but not explained
· Obvious questions that you do not discuss, but that come naturally
to the reader
