Compare the assignment description to the work; does the work meet all the requirements?- Does the work have a clear and logical structure? For example, does the work begin with a clear thesis statement or research question, and do the body paragraphs stay on topic? If you used a plan while writing, does the work match the plan? If you didn’t plan the writing, try using a planning template (e.g., Finalize Your Document Plan) to analyze the work and identify which elements are in place, as well as which elements need to be added.
- Are the paragraphs presented in a logical order? To check, write your thesis statement at the top of a page, and then list the topic sentence of every paragraph that follows.
- Have you supported all your claims with relevant and appropriate evidence? Have you explained how the evidence supports the claims?
- Does the work rely heavily on direct quotations? To improve the flow of the text and demonstrate your understanding of the material, could you instead paraphrase some of the quotations?
- Could someone else who isn’t familiar with your topic or assignment understand your discussion? If possible, ask a friend or a colleague who isn't an expert in the topic to read the work and indicate where they struggled to understand it.
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