<span><span>Have I studied my subject with sufficient care so that I understand what qualities in it caused my initial response, and have I studied it with sufficient care so that I have deepened or otherwise changed that response? </span><span>Is the title of my essay at least moderately informative? </span><span>Is the opening paragraph interesting and, by its end, have I focused on the topic? </span><span>Do I state my main point (thesis) soon enough--perhaps even in the title--and do I keep it in view throughout my essay? </span><span>Is the organization reasonable? Does each point lead to the next without irrelevancies? </span><span>Does each paragraph revolve around a topic idea, a criterion that directly supports my thesis? </span><span>Are generalizations or assertions about personal responses supported by illustrative examples, concrete evidence, research, etc.? </span><span>Are the sentences concise, clear, and emphatic? Are needless words and inflated language eliminated? </span><span>Is the final paragraph conclusive without being repetitive? </span><span>Are the quotes and paraphrases accurate? Is credit given to sources? Are copies of relevant sources included and important passages highlighted? </span><span>Are long quotes really necessary? </span><span>Has the essay been proofread? Are spelling and punctuation correct?</span></span>
