Checklist for Revising, Editing & Peer-Critiquing 1st Draft of Research Essay

Read the first draft of your peer’s Research Essay and make appropriate comments based on the
questions below.

Introduction:
1. Is the context for the topic effectively established with accurate, up-to-date factual
information which is relevant to the topic?
2. Does the thesis statement follow naturally and logically from the contextual information, or
is a transition sentence/sentences needed to link/better link the context and thesis
statement?
3. Is the thesis statement one declarative sentence that states the topic and the essay’s
purpose, uses specific language, includes a focus/position on the topic and includes sub-
divisions?
4. Is the thesis statement’s location that of the last sentence of the introductory paragraph?
5. Does the introduction fulfil the role of identifying the topic and making clear the direction/
focus of the essay?

Body:
1. Does each body paragraph have a clear topic sentence (and if not, can you deduce the topic
of the paragraph based on the unity and coherence of ideas presented there)?
2. Does each topic sentence relate to the thesis statement (as was outlined/promised in the
thesis statement)?
3. Is each topic sentence adequately supported with authoritative reference/in-text citation
such as direct quotes, summaries, paraphrases, examples, illustrations, statistics,
analogies, comparisons, and so on?
4. Are in-text citations correctly used and documented within the text of the essay?
5. Are transitions effectively and correctly utilized within and between paragraphs, allowing
for the smooth flow of ideas and their logical linkages?
6. Are body paragraphs unified, logically organized, and sequentially positioned in their
best locations?

Conclusion:
1. Does the first draft offer closure or finality upon completion of reading?
2. Does the conclusion logically follow from all that has been written/read?
3. Is the conclusion boring, ineffective, or anti-climatic?

Other Considerations:
1. Does the essay meet the requirements re Content, Analysis, Organization, Style, Grammar
& Writing Mechanics, and Documentation?
- Are paragraphs solidly developed and ideas critically analyzed? (C & A)
 - Are there clear paragraph boundaries and does each paragraph reflect an effective
developmental strategy? (O)
- Is the style (tone, voice, and choice of words/diction) appropriate for an academic
audience? (S)
- Is correct, idiomatic English used throughout? (G&WM)
2. Does the list of references conform to APA conventions and is it attached to the draft? (D)
3. Is the word limit observed?

Your task is to critique your peer’s first draft, and where possible offer suggestions.
CORRECTIONS AND EDITING ARE TO BE DONE BY THE WRITER OF THE
FIRST DRAFT.

(Revised by Schontal Moore on June 4, 2006/Caroline Dyche, April 2020)