Student Name: __________________________________ Adams

RESEARCH PAPER EVALUATION DOCUMENTATION OF SOURCES

The items checked below are those which need to be improved. ‰ Documentation of all paraphrases, summaries, and quotations
(anytime you use someone else’s words, ideas, or information)
***plagiarism will result in a “zero” for the paper***
PRESENTATION (MLA format) ‰ Correct MLA parenthetical-citation format
‰ One-inch margins ‰ Correct use of quotation marks
‰ Double-space throughout ‰ Avoid block quotations (this paper is too short for extended
‰ Do not skip lines between paragraphs quotations)
‰ Half-inch indent for first line of all paragraphs Format of MLA “Works Cited” Page(s) (Bibliography)
‰ Correct headers ‰ Use alphabetical order
‰ Correct heading ‰ Use MLA format for citing:
‰ Correct use of typography: 11- or 12-point Times New Roman __ journals __ newspapers __ magazines __ books __ Internet
___ ______________________________________________

UNITY ‰ One-inch margins _ “Works Cited” at top

‰ Adequately limited focus ‰ Quotation marks needed

‰ Clear thesis statement ‰ Underlining needed

‰ Topic sentences help prove thesis ‰ Hanging indent for all entries with 2 or more lines

‰ Information is relevant to your thesis ‰ Double-space all entries

‰ Information captures readers’ attention ‰ Do not skip lines between entries

‰ Information offered is fresh and insightful

Introduction EDITING
‰ Gripping opening sentence/hook Diction (choice of words)
‰ Compelling introductory strategy (reader wants to read on) ‰ Wordiness ‰ Avoid clichés
‰ Smooth transition between hook and thesis ‰ Awkward wording ‰ Avoid slang
Conclusion ‰ Artless repetition ‰ Avoid use of “you”/ “your”
‰ Thesis reiterated in light of your argument ‰ Key terms not defined ‰ Vague language
‰ Effective concluding strategy—not merely a summary of your essay
Sentence Skills
‰ Avoid sentence fragments
COHESION ‰ Avoid comma splices
‰ Clear and logical organization ‰ Avoid fused sentences (“run-ons”)
‰ Clear topic sentences in all body paragraphs ‰ Avoid meaningless verb tense shifts and incorrect verb forms
‰ Effective concluding sentences where needed ‰ Make sure subjects and verbs agree
Transitions (clear connections) ‰ Pronoun/antecedent reference unclear
‰ Within paragraphs _ Between paragraphs ‰ Revise faulty parallelism
‰ Between paragraphs and thesis ‰ Monotony in use of sentence patterns
(use a balance of simple, compound, and complex sentences)
‰ Between your writing and cited material
Punctuation to Review and Correct
SUPPORT
‰ Convincing evidence for thesis and topic sentences ‰ Commas ‰ Colons

‰ Relevant information to thesis ‰ Semicolons ‰ Brackets

‰ Current sources (when appropriate) ‰ Parentheses ‰ Elipses

‰ Add a source of this type for balance: Spelling Issues to Review and Correct
__ journal __ newspaper __ magazine __ book __ Internet
‰ Spelling ‰ Possession
‰ Credibility of Internet source uncertain
‰ Hyphenation ‰ Capitalization
‰ Effective balance of paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting
‰ Numbers/Numerals
‰ At least two citations per body paragraph
‰ Context provided for all borrowed material, always mentioning the
author by name in your text (not only in parenthetical citations)
‰ Authority of every author established with first reference
‰ Comment thoroughly on the relevance of every citation—relevance
to your argument in the immediate paragraph and to your overall
thesis