CHECKLIST FOR AN ARGUMENTATIVE OR PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAY/PAPER
Questions for Reviewing your Essay or Paper
Answer:YESorNO
1. Does the essay/paper have an introduction?
2. Does it explain the question or issue to be addressed?
3. Does it define the main concepts or terms?
4. Does it present all sides of the issue, including opposing sides of the issue?
5. Does it present arguments on all (including opposing) sides?
6. Does it evaluate the arguments presented?
7. Did you state your position?
8. Did you argue for your position?
9. Does your evidence for your position or conclusion provide as much support for the opposing position or conclusion?*
10. Have you proven beyond all reasonable doubt that your position or conclusion is the best?
11. Are your reasons, premises, & evidence enough to change the mind of your opponents?
12. Did you provide examples?
13. Are your points clearly made?
14. Does it have a conclusion?
15. Does it have an abstract or summary?
16. Does it really answer the question?
17. Does it beg the question?*
18. Does it beat about the bush or deviate from the issue?*
19. Does it use the proper format for listing references?
20. Did you write all of this paper/essay by yourself?
21. Do you take credit for what others have done, said or written?*
22. Do you deserve all the credit that will be given for this work?
23. Did you re-read your paper/essay for typographical errors?
24. Did you re-read your paper/essay for fallacies or logical errors?
25. Did you re-read your paper/essay for clarity?
27. Are your answers to all the above questions sincere?**
28. Do you know that your paper/essay is perfect/excellent?***
* If it does, your paper/essay is seriously defective.
** If you answered these questions without much thought or just to make you fell good, you have wasted your time and need to start all over again.
*** If you do not, submit it for criticism, comments, and grading; because you do not know that it is perfect or excellent and you need your instructor or examiner to provide you with his or her professional opinion. A grade or score is a professional opinion by a teacher, instructor or authority in his or her capacity as a teacher, instructor, or authority. Consequently, usually, there is no point in disputing it, unless to draw attention to something that was missed or miscalculated. If, on the other hand, you know that it is perfect/excellent, there is probably no point in submitting it to a perfect or imperfect (human) being to grade or 'mark'; because it is perfect and you already know it. In that case, you may be in the wrong class, course, or program. You, probably, already know what you need to know and there is no room for improvement. You are unlikely to learn anything in the class, course, or program which is meant, primarily, to teach people what they do not know.
P.S. Except as noted above, in general, the more 'yes' answers you have, the better your paper/essay.