Persuasive Essay Checklist
M.L.A.
ü
Last name and (insert – page number) are in the
header
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My name, Teacher’s name, period date is in the
upper-left corner
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1-inch margins
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Times New Roman, 12-pt. font
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Everything is double-spaced (CTL + 2)
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Clever title
Intro Paragraph
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There is an engaging hook
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There is a few sentences of background
information on your topic
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It ends with a 1-sentence thesis that clearly
states your position.
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All three parts of the paragraph flow together.
Body Paragraphs
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There are simple or “deluxe” transitions
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Your topic sentences have key words that match
your thesis
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Your topic sentences are good supporting reasons
for your thesis
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Your topic sentence is not a question
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Your topic sentence is one sentence
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You do NOT
have too many facts that your paragraphs seem just like a list of facts
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You do have only the most effective facts, and
they are all well PQE’d
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Facts and quotes have an embedding phrase (i.e. “According
to …)
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Every fact or quote in a sentence has a
parenthetical reference
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Each paragraph has a conclusion sentence
Conclusion Paragraph
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Restate your thesis in different words
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Summarize each of your three body paragraphs
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Include a “reverse hook” to wrap up your topic
and leave the reader with a strong and lasting final impression
Works Cited Page
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It has the words “Works Cited” at the top and
centered
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The page is double-spaced, just like everything
else
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The citations are in alphabetical order
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The citations are in reverse-indented (CTL +
Tab)
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There are no extra, unmatched citations
