Essay Checklist

1. Is the heading in the upper left-hand corner of the first page, including

• Your name?
• Your Instructor's name?
• The course name?
• The date?

2. Does the paper have an original title (other than something like "Final Paper") presented without being
bolded, italicized, or placed in quotation marks?

3. Does the paper have 1" margins on all sides?

4. Is the paper written in Times New Roman (or another basic font) and in 12-pt. font?

5. Is everything double-spaced (including any notes and the works cited page)?

6. Are your last name and the page number in the upper right-hand corner of each page (0.5" from the top, or
inserted using the "Insert" and "page number" function in Word; write your last name next to the page
number)?

7. If you've used outside sources, do you have a works cited page? Is it titled "Works Cited" (without the
quotation marks)? Does it have a page number (that follows the last page of your paper) and your last name?

8. Does each source have an entry on the works cited page, and are they listed in alphabetical order by the
author’s last name, and conforming to MLA format? You may use Easybib.com to create your works cited
page.

9. Are all direct quotes in quotation marks?

• Do all paraphrases and summaries clearly indicate that they come from other sources?
• Does each in-text reference include a parenthetical citation that includes the author’s last name (unless it
is obvious from the context of the sentence who you are referencing) and the page number from which
the information was taken?
• If a quotation is 4 lines or more, is it block-quoted? (i.e. double-spaced, indented 1 inch from the left
margin)
• Have you clearly indicated where you found all information you did not previously know?

Video Tutorial for MLA format essays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xAc4yZ8VSA

Video Tutorial for MLA citations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bVXJpIQAwI
Video Tutorial for Works Cited page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng_PeRBFa4s
Video Tutorial for In Text Citations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTaUHS1mnvw
 Excellent Good Fair Poor
Structure Follow assigned guidelines for Introduction states main Essay too short or too No clear introduction
length topic and provides an long
30 overview Introduction states main Poor or non-existent paragraphing
Introduction is inviting, states topic
possible
main topic, and provides an Organization is generally Facts not arranged logically under
points overview of the paper. logical Some facts not topic sentences
arranged logically
Information is relevant, Paragraphing acceptable No conclusion
interesting, and presented Conclusion included Paragraphs are too few,
logically or widely
disproportionate
Strong conclusion
Didn’t follow assignment
Executed assignment exactly as well
directed
Content One clear, well focused topic, Good topic and adequate One topic, main Topic and main ideas not clear
amply supported by three strong supporting categories ideas are somewhat
30 categories clear Few details presented
Many good facts, but
possible
Many strong, specific, and some key Weak on facts or Too many unsupported
points important details from the book, details left out details from story; not opinions
including quotes where relevant enough to
Some unsupported prove topic
Well supported assertions opinions
Many opinions
unsupported
Writing Author’s purpose of Author’s purpose is Author’s purpose Author’s purpose of writing is unclear
Style mostly clear, and there is of writing is somewhat
writing is very clear, and there is
strong evidence of attention to some evidence of clear Writer uses limited vocabulary.
audience attention to audience Jargon or cliches may be present and
15
Choice and placement of detract from meaning
possible Author uses vivid words and Author uses words that words inaccurate and/or
points phrases. The choice and communicate seems overdone Lacks flow
placement of words seems clearly, but writing lacks
accurate and natural, not forced variety Lack of transitions or Informal language
awkwardness inhibit
Good use of transitions and a Good, basic writing, reader’s comprehension Several tense changes, disagreement
variety of sentence structure though it lacks excellent between subject and verb
syntax in a few ways
Mechanics All sentences well-constructed, Most sentences Sentences have Poor sentence structure
with varied structure and length well-constructed, with similar structure or
20 varied structure and length. Many grammatical errors
No errors in grammar, length
possible
mechanics, or spelling Errors in grammar, Inattention to formatting
points
Few errors, but they mechanics, or spelling
Neat, clean, well formatted don’t interfere with that interfere with Citations missing or improperly done
understanding understanding
Proper citations (where
applicable) Lack some aspect of
proper formatting:
heading, paragraph
spacing, etc

Comments

Introduction:
Attention-grabber/hook
General information: Book title, author name, necessary information about characters and plot that lead to
your claim
Claim: one or two sentence statement that explains the idea you will be addressing in your paper

Body Paragraphs (3)

Topic sentence: main idea for the paragraph
Cite examples/evidence: PROVIDE EVIDENCE to show why your topic sentence is reasonable. This may
include direct quotes or summaries of relevant plot points.
Explain your quotes and examples: SHOW how your quotes/summaries support your claim.
Conclusion: General summary or wrap up of your point before moving on to the next paragraph.

Conclusion:
Restate your claim
Mention the specific examples you had that supported your claim.
Write a concluding statement