Self-Check for Research Paper

Research Paper Self-Evaluation

Complete and On Time:
_____ Topic- clearly identified, defined
_____ Bibliography – 5 sources/references, at least 2 from textbook
_____ Research Notes
_____ Rough Draft

Presentation (MLA format)
􀂉 One-inch margins
􀂉 Double-space throughout
􀂉 Do not skip lines between paragraphs
􀂉 Half-inch indent for first line of all paragraphs
􀂉 Correct headers
􀂉 Correct heading
􀂉 Correct use of typography: 11- or 12-point Times New Roman

Unity
􀂉 Adequately limited focus
􀂉 Clear thesis statement
􀂉 Topic sentences help prove thesis
􀂉 Information is relevant to your thesis
􀂉 Information captures readers’ attention
􀂉 Information offered is fresh and insightful

Introduction
􀂉 Gripping opening sentence/hook
􀂉 Compelling introductory strategy (reader wants to read on)
􀂉 Smooth transition between hook and thesis

Conclusion
􀂉 Thesis reiterated in light of your argument
􀂉 Effective concluding strategy—not merely a summary of your essay

Cohesion
􀂉 Clear and logical organization
􀂉 Clear topic sentences in all body paragraphs
􀂉 Effective concluding sentences where needed

Transitions (clear connections)
􀂉 Within paragraphs _ Between paragraphs
􀂉 Between paragraphs and thesis
􀂉 Between your writing and cited material

SUPPORT
􀂉 Convincing evidence for thesis and topic sentences
􀂉 Relevant information to thesis
􀂉 Credibility of Internet source uncertain
􀂉 Effective balance of paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting
􀂉 At least 3 citations per page

􀂉 Context provided for all borrowed material (not only in parenthetical citations)
􀂉 Authority of every author established with first reference
􀂉 Comment thoroughly on the relevance of every citation—relevance to your point in the immediate paragraph and to your overall thesis  

DOCUMENTATION

􀂉 Documentation of ALL (!!!!) paraphrases, summaries, and quotations (anytime you use someone else’s words, ideas, or information)
***plagiarism will result in a “zero” for the paper***
􀂉 Correct MLA parenthetical-citation format
􀂉 Correct use of quotation marks
􀂉 Use of only ONE  block quotations (this paper is too short for extended quotations)

Format of MLA “Works Cited” Page(s)
􀂉 Use alphabetical order
􀂉 One-inch margins _ “Works Cited” at top
􀂉 Quotation marks needed
􀂉 Underlining needed
􀂉 Hanging indent for all entries with 2 or more lines
􀂉 Double-space all entries
􀂉 Do not skip lines between entries

EDITING
Diction (choice of words)
􀂉 Wordiness
􀂉 Avoid clichés
􀂉 Awkward wording
􀂉 Avoid slang
􀂉 Artless repetition
􀂉 Avoid use of “you”/ “your”
􀂉 Key terms not defined
􀂉 Vague language

Sentence Skills
􀂉 Avoid sentence fragments
􀂉 Avoid comma splices
􀂉 Avoid run-ons sentences
􀂉 Avoid meaningless verb tense shifts and incorrect verb forms
􀂉 Make sure subjects and verbs agree
􀂉 Pronoun/antecedent reference unclear
􀂉 Revise faulty parallelism
􀂉 Monotony in use of sentence patterns (use a balance of simple, compound, and complex sentences)