Revising and Editing 8 th grade Language Arts

Introduction  Is there a hook that catches your attention? Does it fit with the thesis?  Is the thesis one sentence? Is it the last sentence of the paragraph?  Are the title and author of the book mentioned in the introduction?  Is there a brief (1-2 sentence summary) of the novel?

Body Paragraphs  Are there strong, clear topic sentences?  Are there two quotations from the story in each paragraph?  Is there an explanation of each quotation?  Are transition words used to link ideas?  Do the quotations fully support the topic sentence? Are they the best examples from the story?

Conclusion  Does the writer restate the claim (thesis) in “new clothes”?  Is there any new information in the conclusion?  Is there a statement that answers “so what”?  Is the ending satisfying?

MLA Heading  Is the heading correct and on the left? Name Teacher Class Due Date  Is there a clever title (not just the book name or essay type) centered under the heading?

Citations  Are there six quotations?  Do they have commas and periods in the correct places?  Is there a citations with a page number after each quotation?  Example: “It was supposed that the pearl buyers were individuals acting alone, bidding against one another the the pearls the fisherman brought in” (42).

Format  Is the essay double-spaced?  Is it typed in Times New Roman 12 point font?  Are there five indented paragraphs?

Fragments and Run-ons  Highlight any fragments.  Underline any run-on sentences.

Commas  Insert commas after introductory clauses.  Check that commas are used correctly throughout the essay.

Transition Words and Phrases  Highlight transition words used.  Are the transition words or phrases followed by commas?  Are the transition words used correctly and in appropriate sections of the essay?

General Concerns  Is the essay free of major grammatical errors and misspelled words?  Is the language of the essay clear and easy to read?  Are there DEAD (boring/overused)? words?  Is the paper written in PRESENT TENSE?  Be verbs in the topic sentences or claim statement?  Use of “you” “I think”, etc…  Does the writer avoid an informal tone?

Pay a compliment  On the bottom of the last page, tell the writer what you enjoyed about their essay or what you thought they did really well.