Put all your note cards or paper in the order of your outline.
Start with the first topic in your outline. Read all the relevant notes you have gathered.
Summarize, paraphrase or quote directly for each idea you plan to use in your essay. Use a technique that suits you, e.g. write summaries, paraphrases or quotations on note cards, or separate sheets of lined paper. Mark each card or sheet of paper clearly with your reference or where you got the information from (mainly for use on Works Cited page).
Write an introduction paragraph and a conclusion paragraph. Each paragraph in-between should correspond to the main topics outlined. Before you know it, you have a well organized research paper completed exactly as outlined.
If it is helpful to you, use a symbol such as "#" to mark the spot where you would like to check back later to edit a paragraph. The unusual symbol will make it easy for you to find the exact location again. Delete the symbol once editing is completed.
Read your paper for any content errors. Double check the facts and figures. Arrange and rearrange ideas to follow your outline. Reorganize your outline if necessary, but always keep the purpose of your paper and your readers in mind.
1. Is my thesis statement concise and clear?
2. Did I follow my outline? Do I need to change my outline? Did I miss anything?
3. Are my arguments presented in a logical sequence?
4. Are all sources properly cited to ensure that I am not plagiarizing?
5. Have I proved my thesis with strong supporting arguments?
6. Have I made my intentions and points clear in the research paper?
Re-read your paper for grammatical errors. Use a dictionary or a thesaurus as needed. Do a spell check. Correct all errors that you can spot and improve the overall quality of the paper to the best of your ability. Get someone else to read it over. Sometimes a second pair of eyes can see mistakes that you missed.
1. Did I begin each paragraph with a proper topic
sentence?
2. Have I supported my arguments with documented proof or examples?
3. Any run-on or unfinished sentences?
4. Any unnecessary or repetitious words?
5. Varying lengths of sentences? Am I
using phrases at the beginning, middle and/or end of my sentences in order to
make my paper “flow” smoothly? Try
reading it aloud to see if your paper sounds “clunky,” “choppy,” or “smooth” to
the ear.
6. Does one paragraph or idea flow smoothly into the next? (see transitions handouts for ideas)
7. Any spelling or grammatical errors?
8. Quotes accurate in source, spelling, and punctuation?
9. Are all my citations accurate and in correct format?
10. Did I avoid using contractions? Use "cannot" instead of
"can't", "do not" instead of "don't"?
11. Did I use third person as much as possible? Avoid using phrases such as
"I think", "I guess", "I suppose"
12. Have I made my points clear and interesting but remained objective?
13. Did I leave a sense of completion for my reader(s) at the end of the
paper? Is my reader going to come away
from my paper having learned something or been changed in some way?