Instructions: As you reread your essay, use this checklist as a guide to evaluate your writing.
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COULD BE BETTER |
YES! |
FOCUS/PURPOSE |
I stated my claim clearly. |
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I stayed focused on my claim throughout the essay without going off topic. |
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I presented reasons and evidence that my audience will find convincing. |
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CONTENT & DEVELOPMENT |
I included at least three reasons/arguments to support my claim. |
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For each reason/argument, I included three or four examples of evidence from trusted sources. |
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I responded to readers’ counterclaims with information about why my claim is more convincing. |
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ORGANIZATION |
I have an introduction that includes a hook, information about the issue, and my claim. |
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I have at least three supporting paragraphs. Each paragraph is about a new reason/argument. |
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I stated each reason/argument as the topic sentence of each supporting paragraph. |
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I ordered my paragraphs in a way that makes my argument most convincing (example: from least important reason to most important reason). |
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I have a strong concluding paragraph where I restate my claim, reasons and evidence in a new way. I tell readers what action they should take. |
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I use transitions between paragraphs to show how they are connected. |
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I use transitions between sentences in each of my paragraphs to show how evidence is connected to the reason. |
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LANGUAGE USE & STYLE |
I combined short, choppy sentences to make longer, more complex sentences. |
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I do not have any run-on sentences. |
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I use powerful persuasive words from the word bank to convince my reader to take action. |
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I maintain a formal tone throughout my essay. |
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GRAMMAR & CONVENTIONS |
I have read my essay to myself so that I can hear my mistakes and correct them. I made my reader SMILE by checking:
Sentences
: Each sentence has a subject and a verb (an action).
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