The first priority in class today is to finish any final proofreading or editing needed on your research project. Here is a final check list to guide you in going over your paper one final time.  Correct any of these errors and then submit your paper through Turnitin. All papers must be turned in prior to the end of class today. All late papers will lose 10% (20 points) for each day it is late, and will not be eligible for the revision grade next week.

Final Research Paper Checklist

Title                                                                                                                 

1) Do you have a good title that frames the paper, drawing the reader in?

• This should never be the title of the work you are analyzing.
• Do not underline, boldface, or put the title of a paper in quotation marks.

Introduction

1) Does your introduction have a lead that is both captivating and clearly stated?

2) Does the introduction give the reader a clear sense as to where the essay is going?

3) Is your thesis strong, focused, and debatable?

Body Paragraphs (Go through this for each paragraph)

1) Does the topic sentence state clearly what the body paragraph is about?

2) Does the topic sentence tie directly to the thesis?

3) Have you used an appropriate and sophisticated transition or transitional sentence? (Although Sony Corporation can be considered one of the strongest competitors in its industry, it still has its weak points.)

4) Does each paragraph focus on one main idea?

5) Does each general detail contain specific support?

If it helps you, label the general detail with GD and the specific with SD; this way you will see what you are lacking.

(GD With more competitors Sony Corporation will have to work much harder to stay on top in the consumers’ eyes. SD Names like Microsoft come onto the scene and offer cheaper products than Sony with virtually the same technology behind it. SD Microsoft and Sony have been neck and neck since the release of their gaming sytems: Xbox 360 and PlayStation.)

6) Have you used someone else’s interpretation without citing it?

7) If you have inserted a quote, have you explained the significance of this quote as it relates to the content of the paper?

8) Is each quote cited correctly?

9) Have you wrapped up your body paragraph in a clear and interesting way? (Sony Corporation’s weaknesses can ultimately lead to a loss of customers and a lack of expected revenue.)

Conclusion

1) Does the conclusion wrap up the research paper, tying loose ends together for the reader?

2) Does the conclusion include only ideas that have been previously discussed?

3) Does the conclusion end with a powerful, thought-provoking statement? Tying your beginning and ending together makes your piece more cohesive.

Writing

1) Have you read the paper aloud?

2) Was it easy to read?

3) Is your sentence structure varied in terms of length and sentence beginnings?

4) Is your word choice strong and varied, with a limited number of pronouns?

5) Is your verb tense consistent throughout the piece? If you are writing about literature, use present tense. If you are writing about history, use past tense.

MLA

1) Is your title page correctly formatted?

2) Do you have a header with your last name and page number on every page EXCEPT the title page?

3) Have you properly included parenthetical citations for all information that you have paraphrased, summarized, or quoted from your sources?

4) Does your Works Cited page match the MLA formatted example covered in class?

Only once you have checked each of these items may you turn your research paper in through Turnitin.