Checklist for the Research Paper
Eng. 102 Total Points: 35
Part I: Global Issues: Focus, Development, organization, and Details
1. Does the outline provide an effective organization for the research paper? 1/35
2. Is the introduction interesting and informative? Does it move from general to specific information? 1.5/35
3. Is the overall purpose of the paper clear to you from the thesis statement? Does the thesis adequately predict the papers plan of the development? 1/35
4. Does the writer have effective topic sentences that support the thesis? 1.5/30
5. Are there sufficient examples and pieces of evidence to support the topic sentences or the thesis persuasively? Are there 2-3 body paragraphs for each main point? 1.5/35
6. Does the writer have either too short or too long paragraphs? 1/35
7. Does the writer offer explanations and relevant commentary? 2/35
8. Does the writer have concluding sentences at the end of each topic sentence discussion to summarize what this section has argued? 1/35
9. Is the overall organization of the paper clear and effective? Does the writer use transitions to make the paper flow? 1/35
10. Are there any logical errors? 0.5/35
11. Does the conclusion arrive at a resolution about the central issue? 1/35
Part II MLA Documentation
12. Are sources introduced, usually with the name of the author, and then cited by a page number within parentheses? 2/35
13. Does the writer have at least 6 correct summaries? 3/35
14. Does the writer have at least 6 correct paraphrases? 3/35
15. Does the writer weave at least 6 direct quotations into the text effectively? 3/35
16. Does the writer include appropriate signal verbs to show what a sources thoughts are and what your thoughts are? 1/35
17. Does the writer depend too heavily upon source materials, especially long quotations that look like filler instead of substance? 2/35
18. Does the writer use at least 8 sources for this paper? Are most of the sources are scholarly written? 1/35
19. Double-check in-text citations to be certain that each source is listed on our Works Cited and that each entry is documented correctly. 1.5/35
20. Double-check the format: margins, spacing, content notes, etc. 0.5/35
Part III Proofreading
21. Does the writer have many errors in sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation? 2/35
22. Does the writer maintain the present tense in most verbs in MLA style? 1/35
23. Does the writer avoid using sexist and biased language? 1/35
24. Is the style appropriate for a formal essay? Do the sentences seem too conversational? 1/35
25. Does the writer have at least 8 pages but no more than 10? Two points will be taken out for short of one page.