Checklist for writers
Many writers find that creating their own personalised checklist can be a great help as they finalise their written work. Such a checklist can be set up based on the feedback that you have received on your writing.
How to set up your own checklist
Consider the following issues as you prepare your checklist. There are links below to other sections of AWELU that may also be useful to you in creating the checklist.
Have I followed instructions?
Whether you submit an essay for examination or an article for publication, there will usually be instructions, and possible a stylesheet or grading criteria on which your text will be assessed. If there are grading criteria, you can use them to check that your text covers what the criteria stipulate. Reviewing how you have scored in grading criteria on previous writing assignments can also help you identify strong aspects of your writing as well as issues you may need to work on.
Reviewing comments you have received on previous drafts of your text will also help you when creating your checklist.
In academic writing, you will be expected to provide references to any sources that you use. The section on referencing provides more information.
What language issues do I struggle with?
All writers need to double-check certain language issues. Some writers struggle with spelling, whereas other need to look up prepositions or punctuation, for instance. Some common grammar problems for non-native users of English are described on AWELU.
The two most common varieties of English spelling are British English and American (US) English. Make sure you are consistent in your spelling and that you set the spell-checker in your word-processing programme to the variety that you use.