Argumentative Essay Checklist
Argumentative Essay Checklist
Argumentative Essay Checklist
Introduction:
Has a clear thesis/claim that accurately responds to the prompt
(defends, challenges, or qualifies)
Has an informative, background-giving lead-in to the claim that is
neither too general nor cliched.
Has a claim that draws on politics, culture, history, science,
religion, economics, literature, art, psychology, sociology, law, or
any other major academic area of thought
Body Paragraphs:
Each discuss a different facet of the argument and builds on each
another
Dont double dip between paragraphs and type of evidence used
in a previous paragraph. (Dont keep repeating the same point
with a different version of the same type of evidence (Brittany
Spears and Christina Aguilera).
Each have a clear topic sentence that extends, elaborates, or
qualifies the claim
Each contain at least two pieces of evidence from either
experience, observation, or reading (or whatever else the prompt
may specify) which are, at the very least, mildly different from
one another (they dont double dip unless one piece of evidence
is provided immediately after the other in order to further solidify
a point)
Have a smooth connection (using transitions) between the pieces
of evidence that is connected to the topic sentence and, as
result, elaborates on the claim
Provide counterarguments with rebuttals (particularly of the
claim is defending or challenging)
Provide a logical concluding sentence or thought (if its
developed through a number of sentences)
Do not begin or end with quotes. The writers voice is dominant
and the sources are used to support it
Conclusion:
Clearly summarizes the important components of the essay: the
thesis and body paragraph content
Concludes with an interesting or provocative thought (Yes, this is
ambiguous but this is where creative thought comes in. Some
guiding questions might be: How is the topic relevant? What
does this say about our culture? What does what has been
discussed mean for our future?)
Overall:
Uses precise language and avoids generalities and repetition
Has proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Uses varied sentence structure (long, short, periodic, cumulative,
complex, compound, compound-complex, simple sentences, with
parallel syntax, etc.)
Uses wide-ranging vocabulary (this doesnt mean using the
biggest, most difficult-to-spell or most recently learned
vocabulary words just for the sake of using them; it just means
not using simplistic, general diction.
Is formal (It doesnt mean trying to sound sophisticated, over
stating what can be said simply. It just states what is meant
directly and precisely without using informal, conversational
language)