Overall thoughts. What are the main strengths and weaknesses of the draft? What might be confusing to the audience? What is the single most important thing the writer says in the draft? What will the audience want to know more about?
Assignment. Does the draft carry out the assignment?
Title and introduction. Does the title tell the audience what the draft is about? How does it catch their interest? Does the opening make the audience want to continue reading? In what other ways might the draft begin?
Thesis and purpose. Paraphrase the thesis as a promise: In this project, the writer will. . . . Does the draft fulfill that promise? Why, or why not? Does it carry out the writer’s purposes?
Audience. How does the draft interest and appeal to its intended audience?
Rhetorical stance. Where does the writer stand? What words or phrases indicate the stance? What influences have likely contributed to that stance?
Major points. List the main points, and review them one by one. Do any points need to be explained more or less fully? Do any seem confusing or boring? Should any points be eliminated or added? How well is each major point supported?
Genre. Is writing in this genre the best way to achieve the purpose and reach the intended audience? Does the draft fulfill the requirements of the genre? Would any content be more effective presented in another genre or medium?
Visuals and media. Do the visuals, if any, add to the key points? Do your media files play properly, and do they serve their intended purpose? Are all images and media files clearly referred to in the draft? Are they appropriately identified?
Organization and flow. Is the writing easy to follow? Are the ideas presented in an order that will make sense to the audience? Do effective transitions ease the flow between paragraphs and ideas?
Paragraphs or sections. Which paragraphs or sections are clearest and most interesting? Which need further development, and how might they be improved?
Sentences. Are any sentences particularly effective and well written? Are any sentences weak—
Words. Which words draw vivid pictures or provoke strong responses? Which words are weak, vague, or unclear? Do any words need to be defined? Are the verbs active and vivid? Are any words potentially offensive?
Tone. What dominant impression does the draft create—
Conclusion. Does the draft conclude in a memorable way, or does it seem to end abruptly or trail off into vagueness? How else might it end?