Twenty Questions to Get You Started
- Can you summarize the main point of my argument in a couple of brief sentences?
- Is there too much abstraction? Too much generalization?
- Is there too little abstraction? Is my essay cluttered by unconnected details?
- What is my point of view? Can you define my attitude toward my topic?
- Is there a clear beginning, middle, and end? Do the parts fit together?
- Are the sentences clear and readable?
- Who is my intended audience? Who would be most interested in reading my writing?
- Am I too formal/too informal for my readers?
- What passages passages were effective, and what passages were ineffective?
- If you could change one aspect of this draft, what would you change?
- Are my citations clear? Do I quote too much?
- Do you find any patterns of error in my grammar or mechanics?
- Are my conclusions supported by logical reasoning or valid arguments?
- Is my documentation format correct? My bibliographic references?
- Did I rely too little on my citations? Too much? Am I using my research to say something new, or does it seem as if I'm paraphrasing the work of others?
- Look at the final section of my draft. Does it seem to fit with the rest of my argument? Does it offer you closure, or are you left wanting more?
- Are my sentences too long and difficult to follow? Too short and choppy? Do I offer enough sentence variety?
- Do I offer a balanced perspective on my topic? Do I slant my presentation to promote a personal agenda?
- Is my draft interesting? What would you have done differently if this was your draft?
- How are my paragraphs? Are they too long or too short?
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