REVISION CHECKLIST: ARGUMENTS
Look critically at your draft, get response—and revise
Go through your draft carefully, looking critically at the position you stake out,
the reasons and evidence you provide in support of it, and the way you present
read and respond to your draft. Here are some questions that can help you or
others read over a draft of writing that takes a position:
• Is the position stated explicitly? Is there a clear thesis statement—and if
not, is one needed? Does it need to be qualified, or should it be stated more
strongly?
• What positions are you responding to? What is the larger conversation?
• Is it clear why the topic matters? Why do you care about the topic, and
why should your audience care?
• Is there sufficient background information? What other information might
the audience need?
• What other positions do you consider, and do you treat them fairly? Are
there other counterarguments you should address as well? How well do
you answer possible objections to your position?
• Is the style appropriate to the audience and purpose? Could the style—
choice of words, kinds of sentences—be improved in any way?
• How does the draft conclude? Is the conclusion forceful and memorable?
How else might you conclude?
