WRITER’S CHECKLIST

Printed Page 167

WRITER’S CHECKLIST

Click each checklist item to read more about it.

Did you analyze your audience and purpose?

Did you consider using a conventional pattern of organization?

Did you display your organizational pattern prominently by

creating a detailed table of contents?

using headings liberally?

using topic sentences at the beginnings of your paragraphs?

The following checklists cover the eight organizational patterns discussed in this chapter.

CHRONOLOGICAL AND SPATIAL

Did you

provide signposts, such as headings and transitional words or phrases?

consider using graphics to complement the text?

analyze events where appropriate?

GENERAL TO SPECIFIC

Did you

provide signposts, such as headings and transitional words or phrases?

consider using graphics to complement the text?

MORE IMPORTANT TO LESS IMPORTANT

Did you

provide signposts, explaining clearly that you are using this organizational pattern?

explain why the first point is the most important, the second is the second most important, and so forth?

consider using graphics to complement the text?

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST

Did you

establish criteria for the comparison and contrast?

evaluate each item according to the criteria you established?

organize the discussion by choosing the pattern—whole-by-whole or part-by-part—that is most appropriate for your audience and purpose?

consider using graphics to complement the text?

CLASSIFICATION OR PARTITION

Did you

choose a basis of classification or partition that fits your audience and purpose?

use only one basis of classification or partition at a time?

avoid overlap?

include all the appropriate categories?

arrange the categories in a logical sequence?

consider using graphics to complement the text?

PROBLEM-METHODS-SOLUTION

Did you

describe the problem clearly and specifically?

if appropriate, justify your methods?

avoid overstating your solution?

arrange the discussion in a logical sequence?

consider using graphics to complement the text?

CAUSE AND EFFECT

Did you

explain your reasoning?

avoid overstating your argument?

avoid logical fallacies?

consider using graphics to complement the text?