Essay Self Edit

Essay Title:

Essay Author/Editor:

1. Checklist
MLA FORMAT CRITERIA: Yes or No

1. Is the student name, teacher name, course code and date of submission listed on the top
left –hand corner?
2. Is there a creative title on the next line?
3. Are the pages numbered in the top right-hand corner i.e. last name page number?
4. Is the entire essay double-spaced?
5. Is there a work cited page in the correct format?
6. Are all in-text citations at the end of sentence?
7. Is there a period after the in-text citation?

ESSAY ORGANIZATION:

INTRODUCTION
1. Is the hook the first sentence of the essay? (NO Questions)
2. Is the author’s name and the title of the novel mentioned?
3. Is the hook connected to the text?
4. Is there a summary of the text?
5. Is the thesis the last sentence of the introduction?

BODY PARAGRAPH #1

1. Is there a topic sentence that supports the thesis that is focused on a literary element?
2. Is there point/context to introduce the quote?
3. Is there an embedded quotation?
4. Is there an explanation (explains how and why)?
5. Is there a transition word?
6. Is there point/context to introduce the second quote?
7. Is there an embedded quotation?
8. Is there an explanation (explains how and why)?
9. Is there a concluding sentence?
10. Is there a linking clause (optional)?

BODY PARAGRAPH #2

1. Is there a topic sentence (argument) that supports the thesis that is focused on a literary
element?
2. Is there point/context to introduce the quote?
3. Is there an embedded quotation?
 4. Is there an explanation (explains how and why)?
5. Is there a transition?
6. Is there point/context to introduce the second quote?
7. Is there an embedded quotation?
7. Is there an explanation (explains how and why)?
9. Is there a concluding sentence?
10. Is there a linking clause (optional)?

BODY PARAGRAPH #3

1. Is there a topic sentence that supports the thesis that is focused on a literary element?
2. Is there point/context to introduce the quote?
3. Is there an embedded quotation?
4. Is there an explanation (explains how and why)?
5. Is there a transition word?
6. Is there point/context to introduce the second quote?
7. Is there an embedded quotation?
8. Is there an explanation (explains how and why)?
9. Is there a concluding sentence?

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

1. Is the thesis, restated in a new way, the first sentence of the concluding paragraph?
2. Is there a summary/rewording of the three arguments? (three separate sentences)
3. Is there transition words between the arguments?
4. Is there a thought-provoking statement? (NO Questions)

STYLE

 Highlight any contractions (can’t, don’t) in the essay.

 Highlight any personal pronouns (I, you, me, we, our, your) in the essay.
 Highlight any references to your own writing (this shows, this proves, this quote).
 Highlight any quotations that are NOT EMBEDDED.

MLA

 Highlight any quotations missing in-text citations.