Academic Paper Draft Checklist
Students (and we might suggest all writers) often need a checklist to
help with the revision process. The checklist we provide here is only
a sample, which we think a teacher could alter to match the requirements
of his or her course.
| Checked | ||
| Paper Title: | ||
| Does the paper have an appropriate and interesting title? | ||
| The paper clearly focuses on the thesis. | ||
| The thesis is appropriate to the assignment | ||
| The thesis breadth is reasonable. | ||
| The author’s purpose is clear. | ||
| The purpose is appropriate to the assignment | ||
| The author has a clear persona. | ||
| The persona is authoritative on the subject. | ||
| Conventions for the form are followed. | ||
| The necessary background / introduction is provided. | ||
| The summary of existing related information is adequate. | ||
| All sources are properly cited within the text. | ||
| Any bibliography is properly formatted for this form. | ||
| The paper is organized logically. | ||
| The paper’s organization method is appropriate for the form. | ||
| There are smooth transitions between subtopics and themes. | ||
| Facts, evidence, and rebuttals clearly stated. | ||
| Any opinions or conclusions are supported by previous or new facts. | ||
| The author includes additional evidence throughout the paper. | ||
| All biases or differing results are clearly refuted with evidence. | ||
| Academically valid sources are used for facts and evidence. | ||
| Opening and closing complement each other. | ||
| The opening grabs readers while communicating the thesis or topic of the paper. |
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| The opening paragraphs allude to the purpose and conclusions. | ||
| The concluding paragraphs offer additional insights and refine the purpose. |
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