Revising Checklist Writer’s Name:

Date & Period:

Writer’s Topic:

Use your GREEN PEN to make corrections. Remember, this paper is a work in progress.
You are not done writing! Look for ways to improve what you’ve already written.

Check off each step AFTER it has been completed.

_____ 1. Read the paper out loud. Does it make sense? Have words been left out?
_____ 2. Highlight the sentence or parts that state your main idea at the beginning of
your paper
_____ 3. Reread your introduction (lead). Does it draw the reader in, making him/her
want to keep reading?
_____ 4. Draw a line through information that doesn’t support your main idea (stance,
thesis).
_____ 5. Add information if you feel additional points need to be made or if your details
are too general or not through.
_____ 6. Details should be in a logical order that makes sense.
_____ 7. Paper should end well --- not stop suddenly or drag on too long. Does your
conclusion leave the reader satisfied?
_____ 8. Replace overused words with words that are more descriptive and accurate
(like, so, then, etc.).
_____ 9. Find any word repeated more than once. Draw an X through each occurrence.
Replace the repeated words with a synonym or dump it if possible. Too many
I’s, then’s, and’s, etc. can kill your writing.
____ 10. Draw an X throughis, are, was, were. Try to replace most of these with more
descriptive verbs.
____ 11. Underline the words/phrases that are descriptive and create a vivid, clear
image. If you cant find many, add descriptive words (adjectives).
____ 12. Highlight all transitions. Make sure the tie ideas together and are used correctly.
____ 13. NTSSBWTSWIEP: Draw a box around the first word of every sentence. No
two sentences should begin with the same word in each paragraph.
NTPBWTSW: No two paragraphs should begin with the same word.
____ 14. Make sure you have a variety of sentence patterns. Combine some sentences
with a comma and conjunction (and, but, or).
____ 15. Read the paper out loud one more time. Are you satisfied with ehat you’ve
written? Does the paper show originality and individuality or could this have
been written by anybody?