Developmental English

Revision and Editing Checklists

Check your essay for the following:

Whole Essay

            Main Ideas Sentences and details are logically connected.

            Clear Thesis/Topic Sentences/Significant Points (in conclusions)

            Logical Sequence/Clear Pattern of Organization

            Clear Pattern of Development: the kind of content used (description, narration,

            Comparison/contrast, etc.)

            No off-topic information

            Read essay aloud

Paragraphs

            Clear Topic Sentence/paragraph deals with one main idea only

            Sufficient Information to demonstrate/prove the main idea

            Into Paragraph: identifies subject/topic, creates reader interest, and states Thesis

            Body Paragraphs: organized for effective sequence/clear sequence within

paragraphs

Conclusion Paragraph: effective closing points, one most significant point which

stands out, closure for the reader

Sentences

            Read Aloud

            Variety of sentence length

            Effective structure—clear subjects and verbs and compliments (as needed)

            Consistent Verb Tenses

            Use specific and descriptive language

            Eliminate repetition and unnecessary words

Words

            Subject Verb Agreement

            Pronoun Agreement

            Verb Tenses

            Correct Word Meaning; also, effective word choice—lots of specific details

Mechanics

            Periods and commas (no question marks or exclamation points)

            Caps

            Spelling

            Spacing and Margins

            Manuscript Form and Layout

Titles

            Simple and direct

            Avoid Topic Titles

            No underline, no quotation marks, no Italics, no Bold Face Print

            Caps—follow the basic caps rules for titles