Set Work Schedule/Timetable

Personal Writing Checklist R

Set Work Schedule/Timetable

___ 1. Identify General Topic & Begin Library Work

Prewriting

___ Mind mapping

___ Collaborative brainstorming

___ Other brainstorming technique: _______________________________________

___ Choose a topic: ____________________________________________________

___ Narrow a topic: ________________________________________________

___ Identify audience:______________________________________________

___ Identify purpose of writing (inform, explain, describe, or persuade)

___ 2. Define & Draft Thesis Statement that clearly states the main idea of the entire essay

___ Select two or four main ideas from brainstorm to use to support the thesis

___ Begin Research and Notetaking (always note complete citation information)

___ Evaluate sources for CRAVE-current, relevant, authoritative (credible), varied, & edited

___ Draft a preliminary outline of ideas in a logical order

___ Choose one organizational strategy to fit topic:

___ Category or Concept

___ Chronological

___ Hierarchal

___ Alphabetical

___ 3. Refine Thesis & Write Draft #1

___ Put thoughts on paper

___ Use the logical structure you determined in the outlining process.

___ First paragraph: an introduction to your subject and a clear statement of your thesis-the main idea of the entire essay

___ Body paragraphs: depending on the complexity of the subject, the body will vary in length from several paragraphs to several pages-includes your details, quotes, and anecdotes to explain/support your thesis (Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that direct supports your thesis statement.

___ Last paragraph: states your conclusion (summarizes main ideas and restates thesis using different wording)

___ 4. Revise

___ Make certain the thesis statement is clear and that you have clear topic sentences.

___ Rethink and rearrange ideas, sentences, and paragraphs to best support thesis.

___ Check for unity and coherence.

___ Well-crafted combination of direct quotes, idea summaries, paraphrased ideas

___ Check for any plagiarism

___ GCU Style/APA checklist

___ APA formatting

___ APA citations

___ APA references

___ Other APA issues: __________________________________________

___ Edit by reading backwards

___ Edit section by section

____5. Write & Revise Cycle

___ Read to fill in any gaps in research

___ Have someone, like a tutor, family, or friend read your draft

___ Edit, format and double-check citations

___ Check for plagiarism

___ Make certain language is exact

___ Use third person point of view

___ Proofread for errors in punctuation, spelling, and mechanics