Name______Date______Period______

AP Essay Checklist: Argument Essay

Directions: Be sure to circle what you have completed. Go back to the essay to revise and improve on any area whereby you circled “no.” In addition, pay attention to the questions and directives under “style” at the end.

Introduction

1. Do you begin with a catchy way of introducing the topic ofYesNo

discussion?

2. Do you mention the original source and the gist of YesNo

the assertion/prompt?

3. Do you clearly implyor state your understanding of YesNo

the assertion about the topic of this question?

4. Do you briefly mention the works/ideas you will use to YesNo

support your argument?

5. Do you include a thesis statement that clearlyYesNo

reveals your position in relation to the assertion/question?

Body Paragraph(s) 1

  1. Do you begin with a topic sentence that
  1. connects and is more specific than the thesis

statement?YesNo

b. clearly introduces the main idea of the paragraph?YesNo

c. uses sophisticated diction that reveals your ability to

establish focus in a clear, precise way?YesNo

  1. Includes supporting details that

a. directly prove the topic sentence?YesNo

b. make explicit reference to significant real life events

(in the news, articles, etc.), literature (novel, plays,

poetry), and/or personal experiences in connectionYesNo

with the argument’s assertion?

c. flow with the use of transitions? YesNo

  1. Did you conclude the body paragraph with a clincherYesNo

statement that refers back to how your examples

illustrate the argument and brings

closureto this paragraph,leadinginto the next?

Body Paragraph(s) 2

  1. Do you begin with a topic sentence that

a. connects and is more specific than the thesis

statement?YesNo

b. clearly introduces the main idea of the paragraph?YesNo

c. uses sophisticated diction that reveals your ability to

establish focus in a clear, precise way?YesNo

d. includes a transitional word?YesNo

  1. Includes supporting details that

a. directly prove the topic sentence?YesNo

b. make explicit reference to significant real life events

(in the news, articles, etc.), literature (novel, plays,

poetry), and/or personal experiences in connectionYesNo

with the argument’s assertion?

c. flow with the use of transitions? YesNo

  1. Did you conclude the body paragraph with a clincher

statement that refers back to how your example

either supports OR refutesthe claim and brings

closure to this paragraph?YesNo

Conclusion

1. Do you begin with a restatement of the thesisYesNo

that also includes a transition?

  1. Did you summarize the main points of the bodyYesNo

paragraphs through a sophisticated comparison/

contrast of the examples you cited?

  1. Do you make it clear which side you are taking?YesNo
  1. Do you conclude with an interesting and opinionated

thought that addresses the important question, “whyYesNo

does it matter?”Be sure to bring your own self into this

argument. You may even make it judicial or forensic and

include the word “I.”

Questions about Style:

  1. Be sure to label the types of sentences you used for the body paragraphs of this essay AFTER THE FIRST DRAFT. Once you have done that, be sure that you have used a nice combination of all sentence types, and do not rely heavily on one. If you notice that you did that, be sure to rewrite some sentences to change their structures. You can even choose to subordinate or coordinate more effectively. DO NOT SUBMIT THE FINAL COPY WITH LABELED SENTENCE TYPES!
  2. Check that you have used parallelism at least two times in this essay. If you have not, be sure to find a place to incorporate such structures to enhance your writing.
  3. Did you use many loose sentences? Any periodic sentences? Be sure that you do not use too many of the same in a succession. Be sure that you have also used at least one of each in your essay.Label these sentences upon the final draft as such.
  4. Make sure you experiment with the dash if possible to enhance a point you are trying to make more prominent.
  5. Did you avoid logical fallacies? Double check that you did not make any in your argument.
  6. Be sure to punctuate properly, particularly when combining independent clauses, so you do not create any run-on sentences.
  7. Check your work for any spelling errors!