REVISION CHECKLIST: ANALYSES
Look critically at your draft, get response—and revise
Read your draft slowly and carefully to see whether you’ve made your guiding
your subject. Then ask others to read and respond to your draft. If your school
has a writing center, try to meet with a tutor, bringing along any questions you
have. Here are some questions that can help you or others read over a draft of
analytic writing:
• Is the question that prompted your analysis clear? Is it a question worth
considering?
• Is the point of your analysis clear? Have you stated the point explicitly in a
thesis—and if not, do you need to?
• Is the subject described in enough detail for your audience? Is there any other
information they might need in order to follow your analysis?
• What insights have you gained from the analysis? Have you stated them
explicitly? How likely is it that readers will accept your conclusions?
• Have you addressed other perspectives? Do you need to acknowledge possible
counterarguments?
• How would you describe the tone, and does it accurately convey your stance? Is
the tone appropriate for your audience and purpose?
• Consider style. Look at the choice of words and kinds of sentences—are they
appropriately formal (or informal) for the audience and purpose? Could the style
be improved in any way?
• How does the draft conclude? Is the conclusion forceful and memorable? How
else might the analysis conclude?