Composition Checklists

These lists are useful for any Platform entry that you write yourself, such as Oratory, Preaching, and Dramatic Monologue, and for Academic entries such as Essay Writing and Short Story Writing.


Composition Checklist

1. Does the composition have a title?
2. Does the composition have an opening paragraph for an introduction?
3. Does the composition follow the outline?
4. Is there a new paragraph for every main point?
5. Does each sentence belong to each paragraph?
6. Does each sentence begin with a capital letter?
7. Is the spelling of each word correct?
8. Does each sentence end with a mark of punctuation?
9. Is each paragraph indented?
10. Does the composition have an ending paragraph or conclusion?
11. Are the main points clearly stated?
(The remainder of the check list applies to research papers only.)
12. Are the footnotes numbered consecutively?
13. Are the footnotes in the correct form?
14. Does the composition have a bibliography?
15. Are the bibliographical entries in the correct form?


Writing is not just a mechanical exercise. It is really a product of a disciplined mind, organizing its thoughts.

Disciplined thinking is the key to good essay writing.

Good essays are not written; they are rewritten.


Essay Checklist

1. State your thesis. The thesis is a statement of what will be proved, described, or explained in your essay.
2. Develop a brief outline. This should include the main points that you want to include in your answer. An outline is required for Oratory and Preaching entries. Note: Developing the outline is the hardest part, but it will make writing your answer much easier. A well-developed outline is the forerunner to a good essay.
3. Reflect on your outline.
a. Does it answer the question/thesis?
b. Are there important points that you have overlooked?
c. Are there irrelevant points that you should omit?
d. What could make this outline answer the question better?
e. Discuss the subject with my parents (or grandparents or pastor).
4. Follow your outline and write the answer to your essay question/thesis.
5. Reread your essay and correct any mistakes.



NARRATIVE WRITING

Narrative writing is the term used for what is usually called fiction, although narrative may also be nonfiction. Descriptions, character sketches, short stories, or novels would come under this heading, as would poetry. Except for short descriptive paragraphs, all narrative writing assignments must have a theme and a plot. Every incident included should built characterization or advance the action of the story or both.

Planning

As a preliminary step, the students should plan what he intends to write. A good piece of creative writing is not likely to come from poor planning. Written preparation should include choice of theme, choice of conflict, choice of characters, choice of setting, a list of incidents to be included, and a list of details to be used in describing the setting and the main characters.

Evaluating Narratives

In evaluating the rough draft and final copy, apply the questions from the following check list.

Narrative Check List

1. Is there at least one lifelike character?
2. Are there some colourful details describing the setting and the characters?
3. Is the description interwoven with the action of the story?
4. Is the character development interwoven with the action of the story?
5. Does the story have a main conflict?
6. Is there a series of incidents and conflicts building up to the climax?
7. Do all incidents included advance the action, develop the charactization, and build to a climax?
8. Is there a resolution of the conflict?
9. Do the characters and conflicts demonstrate the theme?
10. Is the theme apparent from reading the story?
11. Are the tenses consistent throughout the composition?
12. Is the whole story (composition) written in the same person?