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Instructions: As you reread your essay, use this checklist as a guide to evaluate your writing.

 

 

NO

COULD BE BETTER

YES!

FOCUS/PURPOSE

I stated my claim clearly.

 

 

 

I stayed focused on my claim throughout the essay without going off topic.  

 

 

 

I presented reasons and evidence that my audience will find convincing.     

 

 

 

CONTENT & DEVELOPMENT

I included at least three reasons/arguments to support my claim.

 

 

 

For each reason/argument, I included three or four examples of evidence from trusted sources.  

 

 

 

I responded to readers’ counterclaims with information about why my claim is more convincing.

 

 

 

ORGANIZATION

I have an introduction that includes a hook, information about the issue, and my claim.

 

 

 

I have at least three supporting paragraphs. Each paragraph is about a new reason/argument.

 

 

 

I stated each reason/argument as the topic sentence of each supporting paragraph.

 

 

 

I ordered my paragraphs in a way that makes my argument most convincing (example: from least important reason to most important reason). 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

I use transitions between paragraphs to show how they are connected.

 

 

 

I use transitions between sentences in each of my paragraphs to show how evidence is connected to the reason.

 

 

 

LANGUAGE USE & STYLE

I combined short, choppy sentences to make longer, more complex sentences.

 

 

 

I do not have any run-on sentences.

 

 

 

I use powerful persuasive words from the word bank to convince  my reader to take action.

 

 

 

I maintain a formal tone throughout my essay.

 

 

 

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).
Marks : End each sentence with a punctuation mark .
Indents : Indent when you begin a new paragraph.
Letters : Start each sentence with a capital letter .