Once you’ve outlined your essay, read the following checklist through before you start to write. Once you have finished writing, fill out the checklist to be sure your essay contains all the necessary components.

TIP WHILE WRITING:

Always keep the essay question and your thesis in mind while writing. While writing, stop yourself from time to time and be sure that what you are writing RELATES to you the essay question!

Intro Paragraph

1) Have you “set the stage” by providing background information to introduce the reader to the topic of your essay?

YES NO

2) Is there a clear thesis statement (a sentence that clearly states what you are going to “prove” in your essay) as one of the last sentences of the essay?

YES NO

Main Body Paragraphs

1) Does EACH paragraph have 1 clear focus? (Don’t try to jam too much into one paragraph. Break paragraphs up where necessary.)

YES NO

2) Does EACH paragraph clearly relate to and link back to the original thesis of your intro paragraph? (Be sure to at the end of your paragraph clearly state in some way how your “evidence” proves your point.)

YES NO

3) Does EACH paragraph contain specific historical details (at least two) to support the point of the paragraph and the thesis of the paper?

YES NO

Conclusion

1) Do you have a concluding paragraph that ties all the information together in a meaningful way and brings closure to your essay?

YES NO