A Checklist for Correcting the First Draft

GVSU Counseling and Career Development Center
(616) 331-3266
A Checklist for Correcting the First Draft
Quattrin
Words
Have I been deliberate in my word choices? Vague, abstract words changed to particular, specific words?
Wordy passages cut to economical expressions? No trite phrases, colloquialisms, slang? No jargon or
unnecessarily technical language? Same tone throughout? Some allusions, some polysyllabic words, many
colorful but precise words? A few metaphors, images, analogies? Some sentence rhythm, balance,
parallelism?
Sentences
Have I eliminated all unintentional sentence fragments? Changed commas to semicolons between
independent clauses NOT linked with conjunctions? All “there is” and “there are” phrases eliminated and
sentences recast? Use of the passive voice ONLY where obviously effective? Short and choppy sentences
recast into more mature and complex sentences? Sentence structures varied? Modifiers close to the nouns
and verbs they affect?
Grammar and usage
Have I eliminated all “the reason is because” phrases? Is verb tense consistent and clear? Is each pronoun
clearly linked to its antecedent? Each pronoun agrees with its antecedent? Each verb agrees with its
subject?
Punctuation
Do I have commas separating all elements in a series? Long introductory elements and afterthoughts set
off with a pair of commas? All end quotation marks OUTSIDE of all periods and commas? Semicolons
and colons used as well as commas and periods? Apostrophes in the precise places? Have I placed all
marks correctly? Have I chosen marks for effect as well as clarity?
Spelling
Have I eliminated all spelling errors? Are all typographical errors corrected in the approved manner? All
dubious spellings checked in the dictionary?
Organization
Do I have a relevant title for the essay? Is the thesis sentence well constructed? Is the thesis sentence
followed by justification and indication sentences? Is the topic sentence of every paragraph clearly related
to the thesis by repetition of a key word or phrase? Is each paragraph linked to the previous paragraph by
transition or a key word? Does each paragraph develop one subject only? Is each paragraph well
developed? Are illustrations of adequate length? Is each paragraph sentence logically related to the
previous one? Does the paragraph have momentum and coherence? Have needlessly repetitive sentences
been eliminated? Are there vague or cloudy sentences? Is anything left unsupported by evidence? Is
anything left unexplained? Are evidence and detail abundant and apt?
Research paper self-check list:
1. Is your introduction closely related to your thesis? Does your thesis sentence appear relatively near to
the beginning of your paper?
2. Does your thesis state the central idea or purpose about the subject? Is your thesis clear, precise, and
specific?
3. Does each paragraph have a topic sentence and develop only one main idea? Does each paragraph
clearly support the thesis?

4. Does each paragraph flow naturally from the one preceding it? Do you use effective transitions
explaining the direction of your thoughts to the reader? Does each sentence build logically upon the
preceding sentence?
5. Are sentences clear and concise? Are sentences varied in structure and length?
6. Does your verb tense remain consistent throughout the paper? Are you consistent in the use of
pronouns?
7. Have you used your dictionary to make sure that word choice is accurate and appropriate?
8. Does the conclusion sum up the various points you have discussed? Does it give a sense of completion
to your paper?
9. Does the quoted material add to the reader’s understanding of a specific point? Does it flow naturally
within the framework of the paragraph?
10. In the “Works Cited”, have you cited all the references that you have made to different sources in your
paper? Are all the sources given in alphabetical order?
11. Have you given the paper an interesting and appropriate title?
12. Have you proofread your paper carefully?