Is your thesis easily identifiable?

Could you underline it?

Is it one sentence in length?
Is it at the end of your introductory
paragraph?

Thesis Quick Checks

Quick check:
Does your thesis answer the assigned question? (If the answer is no, REWRITE)
Is your thesis argumentative?
Is your thesis a statement of fact (that cannot be refuted or disagreed with)?
REWRITE
Is your thesis statement specific enough?

Does your thesis

answer the
assigned question?
REMINDER: HOW DID THE PHILOSOPHERS OF THE
SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION ATTEMPT TO RECONCILE THEIR
DISCOVERIES WITH THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS?

Is My Essay a Book Report?

Are you presenting a narrative rather than analytical response?
Are you re-describing the contents of the article? DONT
Are you re-telling the history we studied? DONT
You should be presenting YOUR PERSPECTIVE SUPPORTED BY EVIDENCE. DO!

Topic Sentences: A Road Map

Should be directly related to your thesis statement.
Should be one part of your argument.
Should provide a preview of what is to come in the following paragraph.
Should be followed by evidence to support this part of your argument.

Evidence
Is it relevant to my topic sentence (and thesis?)
Have I provided context for my evidence (setting it up)?
Is it clear to my reader why I am presenting this evidence?
Have I cited my evidence correctly?

Point of View Statements

Identify Point of View of the docs (POV)
Within the body paragraphs of the essay you need to identify and discuss at
least three of the docs POV. Think about how what is written may have
been influenced by the authors:
Occupation | Social class/status | National background | Gender
When the document was written.
For whom the document was intended.
Type of Document (journal, private letter, public address, etc.)
Each POV identified requires an explanation of how the background or
position of its author may have influenced the particular documents
contents.

Tips for Good Writing

Pretend you are writing for someone who does not know the assignment or
the topic you are writing about (within reason)
Be a friendly guide: make your sentences clear and concise, be mindful of
how your organize your thoughts and evidence.
Remember: Your reader is not a mind reader.
The art of good writing is being able to communicate your thoughts and your
argument in an intelligible, succinct and pleasing manner.