For the next few months I won't be able to be as active on the boards (due to school) but from time to time I'll try to contribute something that might be a little helpful to some.
Today I'm going to start with 20 questions you should ask yourself before writing. Not all of these questions will apply to you. Some may more than others.
20 Questions you should ask yourself before writing
1. Who is my audience?
2. What do I want my reader to know and understand?
3. Have I identified a clear thesis and controlling idea?
4. Is my language clear and of appropriate academic tone or is it of a conversation between myself and someone else?
5. Is my writing clean and free from ambiguity?
6. Are my ideas too simplistic and is there room for expansion?
7. Has my work been edited?
8. Is my spelling, grammar and sentence structure appropriate?
9. Have I stayed on topic and not rambled off topic?
10. Have I documented my sources?
11. Do my paragraphs discuss one sole issue or have I tried to incorporate too much?
12. Have I excluded first person use, contradictions, rhetorical questions and any other inappropriate language?
13. Do my controlling ideas actually speak to my thesis or am I stretching my topic too thin
14. Is my conclusion a clear summation of my argument?
15. Does my writing have a gauge of flow to it and are there appropriate transitions?
16. Is what I am writing about actual worth writing about or do I need a new approach?
17. Have I sought help?
18. How many drafts, revisions or rewrites have I gone through?
19. Have I actually answered my question?
20. Does what I have written actually make sense to someone other than me?
Have Fun
20 Questions you should ask yourself before writing
Unless it's a direct quote or unique thought from someone else I wouldn't sweat it. All the best and great list by the way.
Linear Mode
