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Checklist of Marginal Notations on Your
Graded Work
Content
(will read “C-2,” “C-5,” etc.)
1.
This is plot
summary. You need to analyze, not summarize.
2.
You need more examples
from the text to support this point.
3.
Do not state
the obvious. Look for a fresh
perspective.
4.
The logic here is not convincing;
it shows a “logic leap.” You
need to explain more clearly to your reader how you arrived at this
conclusion.
5.
The literary work contradicts
this conclusion. Please re-read
the text.
6.
You must explain this conclusion
in greater detail; you’ve just
scratched the surface.
Organization
(will read “O-4,” “O-7,” etc.)
1.
Your paper must have a title
slanted toward your thesis.
2.
You need a thesis
statement that presents a clear and strong
opinion, claim or argument that can be debated.
3.
Your topic
sentences should clearly relate to your stated thesis.
4.
Your body paragraphs
are not organized in the same order that you promised them in your thesis.
5.
Body paragraph information should
prove or explain the topic sentence.
6.
Your introductory paragraph
should mention the title and author of the work you are discussing.
7.
Work your quotation into the text
more smoothly.
8.
Do not use isolated or “orphan”
quotations; every sentence should include some of your own writing.
9.
List the source or page number
for this quotation.
10.
Use better transition here.
Style
(will read “S-1,” or “S-4,” etc.)
1.
Your point here is unclear.
2.
This section has awkward
wording. Reword it.
3.
This section is wordy.
Be clear and concise.
4.
You need to combine these
sentences to achieve a more sophisticated style.
5.
Avoid clichés.
6.
Avoid overuse of “be” verbs
(state-of-being) verbs and helpers. Use
vivid action verbs in their most active voice.
7.
Incorrect word choice.
Mechanics
(will read “M-8,” etc.)
1.
Avoid sentence fragments.
2.
Avoid comma
splices.
3.
Avoid run-on
or fused sentences.
4.
Make sure subjects
and verbs agree.
5.
Pronouns
and their antecedents should agree.
6.
Pronoun
reference is unclear.
7.
Correct spelling.
8.
Maintain verb
tense consistency. Write in
one verb tense unless a verb tense shift is necessary for clarity.
9.
Avoid use of second
person (you, your).
10.
Use parallelism
here.
11.
Use a comma after a long
introductory phrase (5 words or longer).
12.
Use a comma after an introductory
dependent clause.
13.
Use an apostrophe to show
possession. Make sure not to
confuse plurals and possessives.
14.
Use an apostrophe in all
contractions. However, do not use
contractions in formal academic writing.
15.
Capitalize important words in
titles.
16.
Enclose titles of poems and short
stories in quotation marks (rule for any literary work that is published as
part of a larger literary work).
17.
Underline or italicize the titles
of books, plays, and long poems (any work that will be published as a sole
entity).
18.
Do not underline the title of
your essay or enclose it in quotation marks.
19.
Avoid repetition.
20.
Use
commas with items in a series.
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