Writing Checklist
Step 1-Basic Information
Fill in the appropriate information in the space provided.
Student Name:
Reviewer (if applicable):
Course Code:
Subject Area:
Assignment Type:
Due Date:
Step 2- Guidelines for Paper
Fill in the appropriate information in the space provided.
Length of paper:
Number of Sources:
Types of Sources:
Reading Audience:
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Step 3- Development and Structure
Check the boxes to indicate you have completed the task.
Introductory Paragraph(s)
☐Do you have a specific and relevant opening statement?
☐Do you have a thesis or purpose statement?
☐Do you briefly summarize the main points of the paper?
☐ Do you define key terminology needed to understand the topic of your paper?
☐Do you briefly highlight necessary background information on the topic?
Body Paragraphs
☐Do you include a topic sentence(s) that summarizes the main point of the paragraph?
☐Do you have evidence that supports your topic sentence and links to your overall argument?
☐Do you analyze your evidence and discuss how it links to your main argument?
☐Do you account for counter-arguments or contrary evidence if it exists?
☐Do you include fitting transition words, phrases or sentences between main points?
☐Do you explain relevant terms and concepts to your audience?
☐Does the last sentence(s)conclude the paragraph?
Concluding Paragraph(s)
☐Do you return to your main argument without re-stating it?
☐Do you avoid the inclusion of new arguments and evidence?
☐Do you explain the impact or significance of your work?
Step 4- Sentence Structure
Check the boxes to indicate you have reviewed your writing and addressed the following items (if applicable):
☐Awkward constructions
☐Comma splices
☐Dangling/misplaced modifiers
☐Sentence fragments
☐Run-together / run-on sentences
☐Faultyparallelism
☐Other
For additional information, review the writing resources available through the Writing and Communication Centre.
Step 5- Mechanics
Check the boxes to indicate you have reviewed your writing and addressed the following items (if applicable):
Grammar
Correct use of:
☐Adverbs/Adjectives
☐Articles
☐Plural marker “s”
☐Possessives
☐Prepositions
☐Pronouns
☐ Subject-verb agreement
Punctuation
Correct use of:
☐Apostrophes
☐Commas
☐Colons
☐Semi-colons
☐Dashes
☐Hyphens
☐End punctuation
☐Slashes
☐Quotation marks
Style
☐Correct spellings
☐Accurate word choice
☐Correctcapitalization
For additional information, review the writing resources available through the Writing and Communication Centre
Step 6- Academic Integrity
Check the boxes to indicate you have completed the task.
☐If quotations are appropriate for your assignment or genre, have you used them correctly?
☐Punctuation is correct
☐You have not started a sentence with your quotation
☐For integrated quotations (i.e. quotations not following a colon), you have changed verb tenses and plurals, as needed, and indicated changes using square brackets
☐If you have altered or removed a section of the original text, you have indicated these changes according to your style guide
☐The selection you have quoted is appropriate to your purpose
☐Have you paraphrased information accurately but without copying the original?
☐Have you explained your evidence (quotation, paraphrase, or summary)?
☐Have you included in-text citationsformatted according to your style guide?
☐Have you included a reference list (bibliography or works cited) formatted according to your style guide?
For additional information, review the writing resources available through the Writing and Communication Centre
Step 7- Next Steps
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Step 8- Questions for Consideration
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If you have any questions or need clarification, come and talk with staff at the Writing and Communication Centre.
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