REVISION CHECKLIST: REVIEWS
Look critically at your draft, get response—and revise
Once you have a complete draft, read it over carefully, focusing on your
evaluation, the reasons and evidence you provide as support, and the way you
• Is the evaluation stated explicitly? Is there a clear thesis—and if not, is one
needed?
• Is the subject described or summarized sufficiently for your audience? Is any
additional description or background information needed?
• What are the criteria for the evaluation? Are they stated explicitly—and if not,
should they be? Do the criteria seem appropriate for the subject and audience?
Are there other criteria that should be considered?
• What good reasons and evidence support the evaluation? Will your audience be
persuaded?
• How would you describe the stance and tone? Are they appropriate and
authoritative? What words or details create that impression?
• How is the draft organized? Is it easy to follow, with clear transitions from one
point to the next?
• Is the style—choice of words, kinds of sentences, level of formality—appropriate
for the intended audience?
• Is this a fair review? Even if readers do not agree with the evaluation, will they
consider it fair?