Two days before paper is due---near final draft form---reread your paper and examine it for the following points:

1. (   )An introductory paragraph clearly introduces the subject. A topic statement is evident within the paragraph. The position taken is clear. If the position is unclear, put a question mark in the margin.
2. (   )The next two paragraphs each have a single or main claim. Note each claim in the margin in a 3-4 word phrase. If you can't identify the claim, put a question mark in the margin. If two or more claims exist and tend to diverge from a coherent thought, put a question mark in the margin.
3. (   )The same thing holds for the next two paragraphs on the opposite side of the issue.
4. (   )The four paragraphs above all focus on the issue at hand; they do not wander off into irrelevant territory. If any paragraph wanders, put a question mark in the margin.
5. (   )The sixth paragraph weighs the conflicting claims from the four paragraphs above and arrives at a conclusion. Why some evidence is more convincing than other evidence is explained. The ensuing conclusion is clearly stated. Circle it. If you can't find the conclusion, put a question mark in the margin.
6. (   )The final paragraph returns to what was stated in the first paragraph and, in light of the evidence presented and weighed above, convincingly rephrases the position statement. If the conclusion expected by the assignment is to be finessed, justifying statements for the variance must appear here and flow from the explanation in the sixth paragraph of your paper.

Next:

• (   )Is each claim in paragraphs 2-5 supported by evidence? Are there any naked claims supported only by variations of "I believe..."? If so, put a big X in the margin beside that paragraph.
• (   )Is each claim backed up by a reference? If a claim stands naked of supporting evidence or argument, put a big X in the margin. Consider any X appearing in the margin and fix those that need fixing.

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  Another thing:

  • (   )Does the paper do more than simply but gloriously restate the question? Examine the case study and cross out all ideas that appear in both the case study and in your paper. What remains uncrossed out is your analysis. It should constitute the majority of your paper. If it doesn't, you haven't done an analysis.
  Rewrite as necessary. When you've finished, let it sit at least one night before doing the final step below.

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  Finally:

  Up to now, you've been working on substance and thinking. Now, on the final morning over breakfast on the day the paper is due, check out the mechanics. Sweep your paper with a spell checker and comb it for the common fatal errors in the list below. If you find such an error, put a check in the box.
  (For a longer listing of mechanical errors, see How to Rite Rite).

  • (   )A sentence lacks either a subject or a verb; a sentence does not begin with a capital letter or end with a period (citations in parentheses go ahead of periods, not behind them).
  • (   )A sentence begins with a relative pronoun such as Which, Who, That, Where, and When.
  • (   )A pronoun lacks a clear antecedent; that is, a word such as it, he, she, or they does not have an obvious link to a noun (especially noticeable if a sentence begins with it, he, she, or they).
  • (   )A pronoun or verb fails to agree with its antecedent in number; that is, a single person or agency is referred to as they, or a plural subject is given a singular verb (such as, "members of the school board.... gives their vote...").
  • (   )A sentence runs-on or uses a comma to splice independent ideas together; that is, complex ideas are not split into two sentences but are linked, often by a comma, into an overly long, wandering sentence.
  The five check boxes in the list above should be empty. If not, fix the errors.

  When you're done, hand in the paper and take in a day at the beach. You've done a good job!

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