Evaluating and Revising YourEssay

Guidelines for Evaluating and Revising Your Essay

The following is a list of questions you should ask yourself before submitting a final draft. Each question is followed by suggestions meant to rectify any writing issues.
The information presented here is taken from High School Handbook 1 (Published by Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. 1995).

Evaluation Guide Revision Technique(s)
CONTENT

1. Is the writing interesting? ADD examples, an anecdote (short personal story or tidbit), dialogue, concrete details (CD's); CUT repetitious or boring stuff.

2. Does the writing do what the writer wanted to do? ADD details that inform, explain, express feelings, create pictures, and persuade.

3. Are there enough details? ADD more details, facts, and examples to support ideas about the topic.

4. Are there unrelated ideas or details that distract the reader? CUT irrelevant or distracting information.

ORGANIZATION

5. Are unfamiliar terms defined?
(e.g., unique) ADD definitions or explain complex terms or concepts. REPLACE unknown or difficult words with familiar ones.

6. Are ideas and details arranged in the best possible order? REORDER ideas and details to clarify your meaning.

7. Are the connections between ideas and sentences clear? ADD transitional words to link ideas, e.g., first, second, then, finally, etc.

STYLE

8. Is the meaning clear? REPLACE vague/unclear wording. Use words and phrases that are clear and precise.

9. Does the writing contain cliches or tired phrases? CUT/REPLACE with specific details and fresh comparisons.

10. Does the language fit the audience and purpose? REPLACE formal words with less formal ones to create an informal tone or feeling. REPLACE slang and contractions with proper wording to create a more formal tone.

11. Do sentences read smoothly? REORDER sentences to create variation. Mix different sentence structures in your writing, i.e., write long sentences and short sentences to avoid redundancy.

Evaluation Guide	Revision Technique(s)
CONTENT
1. Is the writing interesting?	ADD examples, an anecdote (short personal story or tidbit), dialogue, concrete details (CD's); CUT repetitious or boring stuff.
2. Does the writing do what the writer wanted to do?	ADD details that inform, explain, express feelings, create pictures, and persuade.
3. Are there enough details?	ADD more details, facts, and examples to support ideas about the topic.
4. Are there unrelated ideas or details that distract the reader?	CUT irrelevant or distracting information.
ORGANIZATION
5. Are unfamiliar terms defined? (e.g., unique)	ADD definitions or explain complex terms or concepts. REPLACE unknown or difficult words with familiar ones.
6. Are ideas and details arranged in the best possible order?	REORDER ideas and details to clarify your meaning.
7. Are the connections between ideas and sentences clear?	ADD transitional words to link ideas, e.g., first, second, then, finally, etc.
STYLE
8. Is the meaning clear?	REPLACE vague/unclear wording. Use words and phrases that are clear and precise.
9. Does the writing contain cliches or tired phrases?	CUT/REPLACE with specific details and fresh comparisons.
10. Does the language fit the audience and purpose?	REPLACE formal words with less formal ones to create an informal tone or feeling. REPLACE slang and contractions with proper wording to create a more formal tone.
11. Do sentences read smoothly?	REORDER sentences to create variation. Mix different sentence structures in your writing, i.e., write long sentences and short sentences to avoid redundancy.