Learn how to critically evaluate your essay with our top 20 tips

The following tips represent the top 20 questions which all essay writers must ask themselves to critically evaluate their essay:

  1. Does the essay answer the question completely?
    • You started with a question, but during this process, did you get off track? Your essay must identify the key points derived from your initial question and pursue their analysis until you have answered them completely.
  2. Is there a clear and consistent thesis or argument?
    • There is no point beginning an essay unless a clear thesis has been identified. Did you lose sight of the thesis throughout the writing of the essay? Critically evaluate your writing and make sure that your thesis statement is consistently addressed throughout the paragraphs.
  3. What is your thesis?
    • Can you identify exactly where your thesis falls in the paper? It should be towards the end of the introduction, as this is the idea which sets up the body of research that will pursue a conclusion to your topic. Make sure that it is a clear, controversial, and directed statement which provides ample information for research and analysis.
  4. Does your essay flow easily when reading?
    • It is extremely important that during your writing and revision process that you developed a natural flow to your essay. Ideas may have become jumbled or mismatched in paragraphs. Take the time to read your essay out loud to make sure that it sounds as you had intended it during writing.
  5. Is there a logical introduction, body, and conclusion?
    • This may seem like a basic question to ask yourself, but really, do these parts of your essay make sense. Critically evaluate these paragraphs making sure that they are interrelated, that the introduction and conclusion link to each other with a common theme or idea, and that body supports your thesis and main argument.
  6. Does the paragraph sequence make sense?
    • Explore your paragraph sequence and determine if placing one paragraph in front of the other is better for justifying your thesis statement. The most interesting and key points should fall in the first section of the body with subsequent sections acting as a support and additional contention.
  7. Do you know who your audience is, and is the essay appropriate for them?
    • All essays should be written to a particular audience. If you don’t consider the reader while writing, you may end up with an essay that is misdirected or above the scope of your audience. Make sure that your reader is not overwhelmed but is also stimulated by the information in your essay.
  8. Are there any grammatical or punctuation errors?
    • Yes, you may have deemed your essay a final draft by this point, but check one more time to make sure that there are no missed errors. These mistakes will reduce your credibility and lower your overall score.
  9. Does your conclusion relate back to the thesis?
    • You proposed a debatable argument at the beginning of this essay. When you come to the conclusion, it is essential that you relate concluding arguments to the thesis and analytically present your final views on why you are right. This is your last dialogue with the reader and must reemphasize your main point.
  10. Do you have a voice or style that shows through?
    • When you speak in public, you have a unique speech pattern or authoritative voice, this should also translate to your writing. This does not mean introducing slang or rhetoric into your essay, but critically evaluate your voice and style to make sure that they sound original and contentious.
  11. Are some ideas better developed than others?
    • It is easy to get lost in the writing process and fail to develop one idea or another. Make sure that your hard work does not dwindle in one paragraph because you didn’t research or analyse enough. Be complete in your arguments and make sure that they work together to form equal parts of your essay.
  12. Did you check your sources and are they relevant?
    • Not all sources should be used, and in today’s age of information exchange, identifying the validity of your sources is essential to essay writing. Make sure that the main points from outside sources that you incorporate in your essay are relevant, appropriate, and academically verified.
  13. Did you simply quote from sources or offer insight and unique ideas?
    • Sources should be utilised as a supplement, not the main source of argument or ideas. There are countless ways of looking at a problem; make sure that you allow yourself the freedom to critically analyse those sources that have helped to frame your essay.
  14. Do you understand every word in your essay?
    • Perhaps the thesaurus was open during the writing process, or perhaps you borrowed words from an article you read; regardless of intent, make sure you understand every word in your essay.
  15. Are you writing analytically or just summarising?
    • For many essay writers, this is the most difficult task to perfect. Analytical writing involves an introduction of independent thought, and oftentimes requires challenging those academics who have come before you. Don’t let someone else’s ideas become your argument. Make sure that you are analysing the data to reach a well evolved conclusion, one which is build on fundamentals but framed by your independence.
  16. Did you explore the topic in depth?
    • Failing to identify the key points of a topic or lacking analytical content are oftentimes a result of the writing process and trying to complete a project. Make sure that you have approached every angle and that your discussion of your thesis goes deeper than surface level arguments.
  17. Did you introduce unnecessary information?
    • Multiple idea streams oftentimes flow in different directions and can lead writers to pursue a thought that is not directed towards proving their thesis. Make sure that all arguments and information are necessary and that they support your fundamental contention.
  18. Is the essay in the correct format?
    • Many instructors will present referencing and formatting requirements at the beginning of a project. To ensure full marks on your essay, make sure that you have followed these guidelines.
  19. Is your essay long enough?
    • Make sure that your essay has met the instructor guidelines. This does not mean increasing text size or manipulating margins.
  20. Are you proud of your essay?
    • The final critical evaluation of your essay must be your personal pride in this work. If you cannot be proud of what you have accomplished then why would anyone else want to read it?