Revise and Edit Your Essay
After a break, reread your draft with fresh eyes and an open mind. Then, ask yourself these questions.
- Does my introduction state my thesis?
- Does each of the body paragraphs contain a topic sentence that directly supports my thesis? Do the supporting details in each paragraph relate to and explain the topic sentence?
- Do I provide a conclusion that reminds readers of my main point and makes a further observation?
- Have I included enough support for the thesis that readers are likely to see my topic the way I do? Is there anything else I could add to make my point?
- Do transitions help readers move from one idea to the next?
- Have I integrated source material smoothly into the essay? Do I need to smooth out anything that seems to be just dumped in?
- Have I reread the essay carefully, looking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
- Have I cited and documented my sources?
- Are all of my citations and Works Cited entries in correct form (MLA or whatever style the instructor specifies)?
- Is this the best I can do?
For more on revising, see Chapter 4. When checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, consult Chapters 16 through 18 of this book.
After reading the annotated student essay that follows, use the Writing Guide: Research Essay to write your research essay.