A Handy Guide: How to Check Your Paper 
Before Submitting It

T:     A precise title and thesis sentence should announce the
        purpose of the essay.

I:     The introduction and conclusion should stand in some logical
       relationship; the last paragraph should conclude the ideas with
       which you began your paper.

P:     Each paragraph should contribute to the purpose or goal of the essay.  Do not ask your reader to guess why a certain paragraph stands where it does.  One last "P": you must remember to proofread.  Typographical errors are errors.

E:     Examples or evidence should accompany every generalization
        or judgement.

S:     Do not forget sentence variety and other stylistic considerations.  The manner in which you express yourself also conveys meanings to your reader.  Read your paper aloud and listen for odd-sounding passages; ask a friend to listen to your reading of the paper.  Correct and simplify awkward passages.

Preparation for a Conference 

                      Name___________________________________
 

Look over your paper and the comments I have written in the margins and elsewhere, and answer the following questions:

(1) What is the strongest element of your essay?  What is most impressive?
 
 

(2) What are the weakest elements?  Summarize what you feel is your major weakness; and then, summarize what I have claimed are your weak points.
 
 

(3) Cite three things you can do to make this a better paper.