Use this checklist to make sure that you have met all the requirements
in writing your research paper.
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Structure
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Introduction
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Is there a preamble, that is, an introductory comment, to familiarize the reader
with your topic?
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Have you provided the main ideas to be developed in the body paragraphs?
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Is there a thesis statement, which clearly states the position you will take in
your research paper? (The thesis statement should be the last sentence in your introductory
paragraph.)
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Body paragraphs
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For each body paragraph, is there a topic sentence which serves two purposes: to refer to your thesis statement and
to indicate the main idea to be developed in this paragraph?
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Is there sufficient proof (that is, reasons, details, or examples) to develop the
main idea in each paragraph?
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Is the relation between the proof and the idea clear? (The reader should not have
to guess how the proof relates to the idea.)
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Is there a concluding sentence for each paragraph to summarize the proof forcefully and to show how
it relates to your thesis statement?
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Conclusion
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Does the conclusion summarize the ideas that were presented in the body paragraphs?
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Does it show how the ideas support the thesis statement?
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Does it contain, if appropriate, a statement to linger in the mind of the reader?
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Mechanics
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Does the cover page have the correct format?
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Is the title page written correctly?
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Is each new paragraph indented?
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Are the pages numbered correctly?
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Are there equal margins on all four sides of each page?
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Is the text of the research paper double spaced?
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Is your final copy devoid of any corrections?
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Have you avoided the use of the pronouns I, we, you, and their derivatives?
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Have you avoided expressions such as in this research paper or in the following paragraphs?
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Is there sufficient space at the end of your research paper for the instructor's grade and comments?
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Have you checked for errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar?
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Have you checked for unity, coherence, and sentence variety?
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Footnotes and Endnotes
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Is each footnote/endnote written correctly?
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Are footnotes placed at the bottom of the page?
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Are endnotes placed at the end of the research paper (before the bibliography)?
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Bibliography
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Is each bibliography entry written correctly?
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