Essay Editing Checklist

Writer’s Name ________________________________________ Date ______________________________ Period_________

CATEGORY Self Edit Peer Edit #1 Peer Edit #2

Is the introduction inviting? Does it state the
thesis of the paper?
Is one clear, well-focused topic evident? What is
the thesis? Write the thesis in left margin.
Are supporting details relevant, quality details
that give the reader important information
placed in a logical order?
Has the writer eliminated all contractions from
the essay?
Is a conclusion evident? Does the conclusion
restate the thesis using different words and
does not introduce new information?
Are sentences complete and well-constructed
with varied structures?
Does the writer use transitional words to help
the flow of the reading?
Does the writer make any errors in grammar
that distract the reader from the content?
If so, where?
Does the writer make any errors in
capitalization, abbreviation, or punctuation?
If so, where? Has the writer eliminated all
expletives (“there are”, “there is,” etc.)?
Has the writer eliminated the use of “you” and
other second person references?
Does the choice and placement of the words
seem accurate and natural and not forced?
Do clichés, jargon or informal language appear
in the essay except in dialogue?
How many linking verbs (is, are, was, were,
etc.) doe the writer use? Only three allowed
Does the writer follow all of the requirements of
the assignment? Word count, font, margins, etc.
1.
Make suggestions to the writer to help him/her
improve the essay. 2.

1.
Make positive comments to the writer.
2.

Editor #1 __________________________________ Editor #2 _______________________________

E-mail the final draft to [email protected] by _______________________

 Essay Rubric
Name ___________________________________________ Date __________________________ Period_________

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
The introduction is inviting, The introduction clearly The introduction states Introduction of the main
states the thesis and states the thesis and the thesis, but does not topic is unclear or
previews the structure of previews the structure of adequately preview the missing. No conclusion is
the paper. The conclusion the paper, but is not structure of the paper nor evident.
INTRODUCTION & restates the thesis using particularly inviting to is it particularly inviting to
CONCLUSION different words & does not the reader. The the reader. The
introduce new topic. conclusion restates the conclusion does not
topic using different restate the thesis.
words but may introduce
a new topic.
Writer utilizes one clear, The thesis is clear but is Thesis is somewhat clear The thesis is not clear.
THESIS
well-focused thesis general.
Supporting details are Supporting details and Supporting details and Supporting details and
relevant, quality details that information are relevant, information are relevant, information are typically
CONTENT give the reader important but one key issue or but several key issues or unclear or not related to
(GRADE X 2) information to go beyond portion of the story line portions of the story line the topic.
the obvious or predictable. is unsupported. are unsupported.

Details are placed in a Details are placed in a Some details are not in a Many details are not in a
logical order and the way logical order, but the logical or expected order, logical or expected order.
ORGANIZATION they are presented way in which they are and this distracts the Little sense of
effectively keeps the presented introduced reader. organization in the writing
interest of the reader. sometimes makes the is shown.
writing less interesting.
All sentences are well Most sentences are well Most sentences are well Sentences lack structure
SENTENCE constructed with varied constructed with varied constructed but have and appear incomplete or
STRUCTURE structures. Transitions aid structures. Some similar structures. Few rambling.
in the flow of ideas. transitions are used. transitions are evident.
Writer makes no errors in Writer makes a few Writer some errors Writer makes several
grammar that distract the errors in grammar that grammar that distract the errors in grammar that
GRAMMAR reader from the content. distract the reader from reader from the content. distract the reader from
the content. the content.

Writer makes no errors in Writer makes a few Writer makes some errors Writer makes several
abbreviation, capitalization errors in mechanics, but in mechanics that catch errors in mechanics that
MECHANICS or punctuation, so the the paper is still easy to the reader's attention and catch the reader's
paper is very easy to read. read. interrupt the flow. attention and greatly
interrupt the flow.
Writer uses vivid words Occasionally the writer’s Writer uses words that Writer uses a limited
and figurative language to words are used communicate clearly, but vocabulary, jargon or
DICTION draw pictures in the inaccurately or seem the writing lacks variety. clichés that detract from
reader's mind. The words overdone. The words Jargon or clichés may be the essay’s significance.
(WORD CHOICE) use high level vocabulary may be colloquial. present.

The writer follows all The writer follows most The writer follows a few The writer does not follow
requirements. Paper requirements Paper is requirements. Paper is any requirements or the
REQUIREMENTS
shows legible typing legible but a few places legible but some places paper is illegible
are difficult to read are difficult to read.

Total: / 40 Percentage Grade: __________