Checklist for Writing High Quality College & University Essays

Here’s a detailed checklist for writing high-quality college and university essays. This guide by The Academic Papers UK will help you structureyour work, ensureclarity, and avoidcommon mistakes:

1. Understanding the Assignment

● Carefully read the prompt:Identify the main question, task, or problem to address.

● Highlight keyinstructions: Note any word count limits, formatting requirements, or specific points you must address.

● Clarify the purpose: Understand if it's an analytical, argumentative, descriptive, or persuasive essay.

● Consider the audience: Tailor yourtone and style according to your instructor or academic department.

2. Planning & Research

● Topic Selection:

○ Choose a topic that interests you and fits the assignment criteria.

○ Make surethe topic is neither too broad nor too narrow for the scope of the essay.

● Conduct thorough research:

○ Use academic databases (Google Scholar, JSTOR, etc.) for credible sources.

○ Take notes on key points, quotes, and ideas related to your topic.

○ Record full citation details for each source to avoid plagiarism.

● Create an outline:

○ Organize major points logically.

○ Include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

○ Assign relevant evidenceor examples to each section.

3. Writing the Draft

● Introduction:

○ Start with ahook: a compelling quote, question, or anecdote that grabs attention.

○ Provide necessary background or context to introduce the topic.

○ End with aclear thesis statement that outlines your main argument or purpose.

● Body Paragraphs:

○ Each paragraph should focus on onemain point.

○ Begin with atopic sentence that clearly states thepoint of the paragraph.

○ Include evidence (quotes, data, examples) to support your argument.

○ Analyze and explain howthe evidence supports your thesis.

○ Ensure logical transitions between paragraphs for flow.

● Conclusion:

○ Summarize key points without repeating exact phrases from the body.

○ Restate the thesis in light of the evidence presented.

○ Offer final insights or implications, and suggest areas for further exploration or study if relevant.

4. Refining the Essay

● Review for clarity andcoherence:

○ Ensure each paragraph logically follows the previous one.

○ Avoid tangents or irrelevant information.

○ Check that each paragraph clearly connects to your thesis statement.

● Check the argument: Make sure your thesis is consistently supported throughout.

● Use formal, academic language: Avoid slang, overly casuallanguage, or contractions.

● Avoid passive voice: Whenever possible, use an active voiceto make your writing stronger.

● Maintain proper tone: Academic writing should be objective, respectful, and analytical.

5. Editing & Proofreading

1. Overall Structure and Organization

● Thesis Statement:

○ Does the thesis clearly state the main argument or purpose of the essay?

○ Is the thesis specific, focused, and debatable(if applicable)?

● Introduction:

○ Does the introduction clearly set up the topic?

○ Does it grab the reader’s attention (hook)?

○ Does it end with a clear thesis statement or main argument?

● Body Paragraphs:

○ Does each body paragraph focus on a single idea or theme?

○ Does each paragraph begin with a clear topic sentence?

○ Are there smoothtransitions between paragraphs, making the essay flow logically?

○ Does each paragraph support your thesis with adequate evidence, examples, and analysis?

● Conclusion:

○ Does the conclusion in your essay writing summarize themain points without being repetitive?

○ Does it restate the thesis in light of the evidence presented in the essay?

○ Does it provide final thoughts, implications, or suggestions for further research (if applicable)?

2. Clarity & Coherence

● Clarity of Argument:

○ Is your argument clear and easy to follow throughout the essay?

○ Are any complex ideas or concepts explained well for the reader’s understanding?

● Coherence:

○ Do your paragraphs connect logically, creating a smoothflow of ideas?

○ Are your transitions between sentences and paragraphs clear and effective?

○ Have you avoided tangents or off-topic information?

● Conciseness:

○ Have you eliminated redundant phrases or unnecessary repetition?

○ Is every sentence purposeful and relevant to your argument or thesis?

3. Grammar, Punctuation, and Sentence Structure

● Grammar:

○ Have you checked for subject-verb agreement in all sentences?

○ Are pronouns used correctly and consistently?

○ Have you checked for proper use of articles (a, an, the)?

● Punctuation:

○ Are commas, periods, semicolons, and colons used correctly?

○ Have you avoided comma splices or run-on sentences?

○ Are quotation marks, parentheses, and bracketsused correctly when citing sources?

○ Have you placed punctuation marks inside quotation marks (if required by the citation style)?

● Sentence Structure:

○ Are all sentences grammatically correct and well-formed?

○ Have you avoided fragments (incomplete sentences)?

○ Are your sentences varied in length and structureto maintain interest?

○ Have you checked for proper use of conjunctions, transition words, and clauses to createcomplex sentences?

4. Word Choice & Style

● Word Choice:

○ Have you chosen specific, clear, and appropriatewords to express your ideas?

○ Have you avoided vague or impreciseterms (e.g., “stuff,” “things,” “really”)?

○ Are technical or academic terms used correctly, and are they defined if necessary?

● Toneand Style:

○ Is the tone formal and appropriatefor an academic essay?

○ Have you avoided overly casual language, slang,or contractions (unless required)?

○ Does your writing reflect the appropriatelevel of professionalism and respect for your topic and audience?

● Active vs. Passive Voice:

○ Have you used active voice wherever possible to make your writing moredirect and engaging?

○ Are there any instances where the passive voiceweakens your argument or makes sentences unclear?

5. Citations & References

● In-text Citations:

○ Are all quotes, paraphrases, and ideas from other sources correctly cited in-text?

○ Have you followed the correct citation style(APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) throughout the essay?

○ Are the citations correctly placed within the text (e.g., after a quoteor paraphrase)?

● Reference List / Works Cited:

○ Have you included a reference list, bibliography, or works cited page (depending on citation style)?

○ Are all your sources properly listed, in alphabetical order (if applicable), and formatted according to the citation style?

○ Have you verified that all sources in your reference list are cited inthe body of the essay?

6. Spelling and Typos

● Spelling:

○ Have you checked for spelling errors, including homophones (e.g., their/there/they're)?

○ Have you used a spell-check tool, but also manually reviewed for errors that it may miss?

● Typos:

○ Have you scanned for any accidental typos or misplaced words?

○ Are all names, terms, and titles spelled correctly (especially if they are specific to your topic)?

7. Consistency

● Formatting Consistency:

○ Have you followed consistent formatting throughout the essay (font, size, margins, spacing)?

○ Have you ensured that your headings, subheadings (if any), and paragraphs are formatted uniformly?

○ Is the alignment of text (left-aligned or justified) consistent throughout the document?

● ConsistentTerminology:

○ Are the same terms, phrases, or abbreviations used consistently throughout the essay (without unnecessary changes)?

○ Have you avoided switching between synonymsfor key terms unless it's appropriate?

8. Final Read-through

● Read Aloud:

○ Read your essay out loud to identify awkward phrasing, missing words, or unclear passages.

○ Does the essay sound smooth and natural, withclear transitions between points?

● Check for Flow:

○ Does the essay progress logically from one section to the next without abrupt changes in direction?

○ Have you identified anyareas that need more explanation or examples to make the argument clearer?

● Overall Impressions:

○ Does the essay feel cohesive, and does it fully address the prompt?

○ Is the tone, argument, and structure appropriate for the assignment?

9. Formatting and Final Touches

● Check Formatting Guidelines:

○ Have you adhered to all formatting guidelines (e.g., font style, size, line spacing)?

○ Are the page numbers and title pageformatted according to the assignment's requirements?

○ Have you properly aligned the text (left-justified, centered, etc.)?

● Title & Heading:

○ Is the title relevant, clear, and formatted correctly (centered, title case, etc.)?

○ If required, does your essay include your name, course title, instructor's name, and dateon the first page?

● Final File Check:

○ Is your essay saved in the correct fileformat (e.g., .docx, .pdf)?

○ Have you named the file appropriately (e.g., Lastname_EssayTitle)?

10. Submission Readiness

● VerifyRequirements: Ensure that you've followed all assignment instructions (word count, font size, citationstyle, etc.).

● Ensure On-time Submission: Double-check the deadline and plan to submit your essay ahead of time.

● Save Backups: Save a final copy and abackup copy of your essay to avoid losing it.

6. Submitting the Essay

● Save your final version: Ensure your file is named appropriately (e.g., "Lastname_EssayTitle").

● Submit on time:Make sure you meet the submission deadline, and upload the file to the correct platform (e.g., email, course portal).

● Retain a backup: Savea copy of the essay for your records in case thereare any issues.