How much time did it take to write your essay? An hour? Two? Or a half an evening? Anyway, you should spend a bit more to review it. Put aside the paper and return to it after a while again. Of course, if you don′t want to get your paper back with a bad grade, look at it, and freeze on the spot thinking: “OMG! I cannot have written that stuff ”. In order to help you not to miss anything, I have prepared a check list for you. Answer the questions below to make sure whether your essay deserves an A.
Does your paper have a good structure?
Every essay has a "skeleton" that organizes the author’s ideas into a clear, logical format. While some instructors encourage creativity, essay structure is typically not the place to experiment. If you’re aiming for an A, ensure your essay includes the following components:
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Introduction:
Begin with a strong thesis statement and provide background information on your topic, such as intriguing facts or relevant quotations. Explain why you chose this topic, and outline your main arguments along with the order in which you’ll discuss them. -
Body Paragraphs:
Each paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence that introduces the point you’ll discuss. Follow it with an explanation of why it’s true and support your claim with evidence from history, literature, or other credible sources. -
Conclusion:
Summarize your key points and draw a general conclusion based on the evidence presented. Your conclusion should directly address the question or topic posed in your title.
Does Your Essay Flow Smoothly?
Once your first draft is complete, read it aloud to check its rhythm and coherence. Each point should flow naturally into the next. Use transitional phrases like "above all," "as a result," "chiefly," or "independent of" to create smooth connections between sentences. However, be cautious with transitions—overusing them can clutter your writing and disrupt the flow.
By ensuring both structure and flow, you can craft an essay that is clear, persuasive, and well-organized.
Isn′t your language too complicated?
Replace common words with more complicated ones only if you are 100% sure about the meaning. Otherwise, you may look silly using wrong synonyms. What is worse, the teacher simply couldn′t understand your point. Besides, the length of the sentences also matters. Shorten long phrases if it is possible. Try to express your thoughts more concisely.
Is the format of your essay observed?
Various formats (APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.) have different requirements. So even if your essay is super brilliant, you may get a lower grade because of incorrect formatting. Check the rules compliance right now.
Is your essay unique?
Your professor will easily detect plagiarism in your paper. I bet he or she has an eye for stolen thoughts. If you think you are the only one who wants to submit a copypaste, you aren′t. Check twice via different services whether your text is unique. If there is the slightest hint that the phrase is not genuinely yours, rewrite it.
Is your essay written without errors?
Ask somebody you trust to scan your paper for grammatical, spelling, and typographical mistakes. It is really important because your mind can make the correction automatically, even if your eyes see the different. Let me clarify. For example, you meant to say “The CURRENT situation influences the global warming process”, but you typed “The CURRANT situation influences the global warming process”. The second sentence is a total nonsense, isn′t it? You can easily overlook such a mistake. That′s why the second set of eyes is essential to catch minor things you may not have noticed as the author. But if you proofread the essay on your own, here is the hint: try to check it backwards, from the last sentence to the first. When you look at it from a different perspective, you are more likely to see the mistakes.
We do hope that with our recommendations you will polish your essay and get an excellent grade! We′ll keep our fingers crossed!