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Definition of checklist

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Examples of checklist in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'checklist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1853, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near checklist

Cite this entry.

“Checklist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checklist. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of checklist, more from merriam-webster on checklist.

Nglish: Translation of checklist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of checklist for Arabic Speakers

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Table of Contents

Checklist definition & meaning, what is a checklist, 10 types of checklist, checklist uses, purpose, importance, what’s in a checklist parts, how to design a checklist, checklist vs. to-do list, what’s the difference between a checklist, survey, and questionnaire, checklist sizes.

  • Checklist Ideas and Examples

More in Checklist

Checklists are widely used forms because of their ease and efficiency. Anyone can create a checklist, and it can be applied in all industries and fields .

checklist writing definition

Download the Free Checklist Article In PDF!

Accounting checklist.

accounting checklist

Building Checklist

building checklist

Campaign Checklist

campaign checklist

Daily Checklist

daily checklist

Equipment Checklist

equipment checklist

Event Checklist

event checklist

Home Checklist

home checklist

Job Checklist

job checklist

Legal Checklist

legal checklist

Induction Checklist

induction checklist

Promotes Organization

Promotes efficiency, management tool, verification tool, list of items.

what’s in a checklist parts1 788x950

  • How to make a checklist in Microsoft Word
  • How to make a checklist in Microsoft Excel
  • How to make a checklist in Google Docs
  • US letter size (8.5×11 inches)
  • A4 size (8.27×11.69 inches)

checklist sizes 788x

  • Household Checklist Ideas and Examples
  • Management Checklist Ideas and Examples
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  • Assessment Checklist Ideas and Examples
  • Office Checklist Ideas and Examples

What should be included in a checklist?

What are the five key elements of an effective quality control checklist, what is preventive checklist in machinery, what is a data checklist, why are checklists more functional, what is a checklist in assessment, what is observation checklist and how is it done, what is checklist method in education, how to make a checklist in excel, why are checklists so powerful, more in documents.

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The Complete 19-Point Checklist for Writing Checklists

Checklists are essential to tackling a project thoroughly and completely. Learn how to create your own checklists to support your project workflows.

Checklists are essential to tackling a project thoroughly and completely.

They ensure there is process cohesion between parties who may be involved in completing them and, most importantly, that nothing is forgotten during the execution.

The fact that I love checklists is no closely guarded secret. Anyone who’s known me for more than a paragraph will know that I’m a checklist kind of guy.

More to the point, I’m the guy who adds things I’ve already completed to my checklist just so I can mark them off.

So, when I was asked (read: volunteered) to draft a post on how to write checklists, I gave it careful consideration (read: jumped at the chance.)

And if you need more proof of my checklist writing credentials, I dropped the mic on checklists when I published The Best Damn Web Marketing Checklist, Period!

No, that’s not me bragging, that’s the title of the book. And believe me, it doesn’t fail to live up to its name.

OK, that’s me bragging. But only because you need to know that if there is anyone that knows a thing or two about writing checklists, it’s me.

And now, I’m going to lift the proverbial veil on the proverbial magic so you can create your own non-proverbial checklists and get proverbial doo-doo done.

Phase I: Investigation

The gods have forbidden certain images from being used in this post so you’ll have to imagine a certain meme when I say: One does not simply write a checklist. (You know the one I mean!)

A good checklist starts with a thorough investigation into the what and why of whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish.

The Complete 19-Point Checklist for Writing Checklists

Know Your Objectives

Each point on a checklist is just one step needed to get you closer to your goal.

If you don’t have a solid understanding of what your goal is, then there is a strong chance that you may leave out some important steps needed to achieve them.

Before you begin making your checklist, take a step back to assess what you want to accomplish.

Know the Value of Each List

If you are building multiple checklists, it’s important that you understand the value of each list independently.

For example, I have a checklist for traveling to make sure I don’t forget anything important. The last thing I want is to go a week without any underwear!

But, in my travel checklist, I have several other sub-lists as well: One for camping, one for business trips, one for snow skiing.

If I was passing my packing checklist over to someone else to complete (not that I want anyone else packing my underwear, but just roll with me here), they’d need to understand that when packing, they should be selective about which list(s) they follow.

When I’m snow skiing, I don’t need my tent and Coleman stove. And I usually don’t need my snow socks or long underwear on a typical business trip.

By having a clear value for each list, the person executing the list can make informed decisions about what is important at any given time.

Whenever I’m creating a checklist (this one is no exception) I like to see what other people are doing, suggesting, or what they think is important.

I can often find anywhere from one to a dozen similar checklists, each with their own unique insights and perspectives.

I’ll jot down anything that I see on each list that resonates with what I want to accomplish. This helps me produce a more comprehensive list than anything I would have been able to get on my own.

Phase II: Creation

The next step in building your checklist is to actually start building it.

I’ll use a number of different programs (Google Tasks, ToDo Cloud, Teamwork, Apple Reminders, etc.) depending on the type of list I want to create, but it almost always starts in a text document of some kind.

I consider that my working document until I get everything outlined and it’s ready for publication.

Create a Checklist

Jot Down All the Points

We did a little of this above during the investigation stage, but this is where you make sure to get everything documented into a, um, document of some sort.

Every point you brainstormed on your own and those that you found through R&D (ripoff and duplicate!). Once they are jotted down you can then begin the next steps.

 Know the Value of Each Task

When pulling in ideas from multiple locations you’ll often come across some that are more or less valuable than others. Some may not be at all, and others can be combined into a single task.

Be sure you fully understand each task going into your list to ensure your checklist isn’t overly bloated with items that don’t really fit the overall goals.

Write Titles That Reflect the Objective

Every point on your checklist must have an adequately informative title. Ideally, that would be all that’s needed for someone (including yourself) to read and know what needs to be done.

That being said, keep your titles short. They are just a reminder of what needs to be done. Don’t be too vague or descriptive but find a nice balance in between.

Write Simple, but Fully Detailed Descriptions

Each point should include a fully detailed description to ensure whoever is completing the checklist can do so without seeking out additional instruction.

Be sure to avoid any type of information that is subject to change. I’m a bigger fan of ‘what-to-do’ lists than ‘how-to-do’ because ‘how-to’ often changes more than ‘what-to’.

In the end, however, you want to be as robust as possible. That saves everyone time later on. (Caveat: I do not need detailed descriptions on how to pack my t-shirts. Yet.)

  Consistent Formatting

As you build your list you want to maintain a consistent way of formatting your point, descriptions, sub-points, examples, etc.

Find a format that you can reuse from one checklist to the next so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time.

But the most important thing is making sure each point is clear, easily scannable, and easily completable.

  Create Needed Sub-Points

Some tasks may require a short checklist of their own.

It’s tempting to throw a few sub-points into the description text, but that will often lead them to getting overlooked. The description is for noobs.

You don’t want to force anyone to have to read it each time. Make sure your sub-points stand out as action items.

 Know Who Needs to Be Involved

Not all checklists will be for you to complete; some will require multiple people to get involved. You want to know this upfront so you can assign each point to the proper person responsible.

Planning this out in advance ensures that each point of the list can be completed or passed on in a timely manner for the full list to be wrapped up with minimal supervision.

Phase III: Organization

Once you have all your points, the next step is to organize them in a way that makes sense both in terms of how they are executed and in what way.

Organize Your Checklist

  Categorize

I like to organize my checklists into categories. Just like this one you’re reading. I could have put all the points in a single list, but it made sense to me to categorize them into chunks based on intent.

I find categorization a great way to better understand how different points interrelate. It’s also a great way to make sure similar items are grouped together.

  Prioritize

There are several ways you can prioritize your checkpoints and they may vary from list to list. It’s important that you find the best prioritization order for the goals you are trying to achieve.

  • By completion – Some checklists have a clearly defined order in which they should be done. If this is the case, be sure to keep them in the proper sequence. This checklist is a perfect example of that.
  • By importance – If tasks don’t have a required completion order, the next best way to prioritize is usually by how important each task is in relation to the others. Generally, three categories will do: Urgent, Important, Will Get To This Someday.
  • By time – Another good way to prioritize is by time expected to complete the tasks. Sometimes it’s great to bust out the quick-and-easy tasks first, but if time management is an issue, you can work on tasks based on the time you have available right now. Get done what you can and then move on.
  • By ability – Some items on a checklist can only be completed after some external forces have done something of their own. For example, I have checklists for optimizing web pages, but we frequently must get the client’s feedback before one or more of the steps can be completed. It can be helpful to segment out any points that can only be achieved after something else has been done first.
  • By due date – Another clear way to prioritize points on your checklist is by due date. You always want to get time-sensitive tasks done sooner while putting off those that can be done anytime.

Phase IV: Completion

No checklist about checklists would be complete without being able to complete it. (You know what I mean!)

After all, what’s the fun in building a checklist if you can’t get it done, right? So here are a few checklist completion pointers.

Complete Your Checklist

One at a Time

I know, ridiculous, right? But in our always-multi-tasking lives, it bears to be said that you generally want to complete one thing at a time.

There is nothing that I hate more than having unfinished tasks once I’ve started.

If you need to wait for feedback, sure, move on to the next one, but get back to any tasks you’ve started as soon as you can so you can wrap them up and send it home. Proverbially speaking, of course.

 Outsource as Needed

If you or your team are not able to complete the checklist yourself, or can’t do it within the desired completion time, it’s okay to outsource. Seek outside help when necessary to keep yourself on track.

Mark Them Complete

When a task is done, mark it complete. Again, sounds like a no brainer but sometimes we forget this important step.

Not only does marking each point complete give you a sense of accomplishment, but it also saves you the hassle of having to remember what you have or haven’t done if you get interrupted.

Seriously, don’t kill the joy from having a checklist. Mark completed items complete.

There you have it. Everything you need to know about building a great checklist. Personally, I find no better way to work.

Face it, memory fails us. And the time spent trying to remember what to do is time better spent actually doing what you want to do, to begin with.

And add to the fact that when you have a checklist, you are far less likely to leave out a critical step either now or later.

Not only do checklists help you get crap done, but it helps others as well.

It unites expectations, goals and the processes to achieve them. It allows anyone to jump in and help complete the tasks without having to re-learn or build their own processes.

The memory work has been done, now they just have to make the magic happen.

And now I get to mark, “write a post about checklists” off my checklist!

More Resources:

  • A Complete SEO Checklist for Website Owners
  • SEO Maintenance Checklist: Crucial Daily, Monthly, Quarterly & Yearly Tasks
  • A Technical SEO Checklist for the Non-Technical Marketer

Image Credits

Featured Image: Pixabay (Modified by author, August 2019) In-Post Image #1: Pixabay In-Post Image #2: Pixabay In-Post Image #3: Pixabay In-Post Image #4: Pixabay

Stoney deGeyter is 20+ year digital marketing veteran and the author of The Best Damn Web Marketing Checklist, Period! Follow ...

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  • Writing Tips

What Does Proofreading Mean? Definition and Checklist

What Does Proofreading Mean? Definition and Checklist

6-minute read

  • 7th February 2023

Proofreading is an important step in the writing process that ensures high-quality, professional, error-free writing. In this article, you’ll learn all about proofreading, including effective techniques and tips and a checklist you can use at home.

What Is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the process of carefully reviewing written work to find and correct errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. It is the final step in the writing process; it ensures clean, clear, and professional writing before submission or publication. Keep in mind that proofreading differs from other writing steps, such as revising or editing , so be sure you know how the steps differ and when they should be completed in the writing process.

The Importance of Proofreading

Proofreading is important because it helps you catch mistakes you may have made during the writing stage. Proofreading ensures that your work is polished and professional and that your ideas are clear. Proofreading is especially important for writing that will be viewed by a larger audience or published: novels, short stories, online articles, etc. In formal writing, such as academic papers, business proposals, and resumes, proofreading is equally important because it shows professionalism and attention to detail from the writer.

How to Proofread

While proofreading can be as simple as reading over an email before hitting send . it can be more involved , depending on the type of document in question. Proofreading involves reading your work carefully, line by line, and looking for errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting.

Tips for Effective Proofreading

Whether you are proofreading your own writing or that of others, here are some great tips to make sure you don’t miss a stray comma!

Leave Plenty of Time

Make sure you have plenty of time to proofread before your deadline, especially if you are proofreading your own writing. When you are proofreading your own writing, it can be particularly difficult to catch mistakes. If possible, wait a couple of days after you finish writing before you go back and proofread. This way, you will have fresh eyes and a new perspective.

Read Your Work

Reading your work in different ways will highlight mistakes that may be missed otherwise. Here are three ways you can read your work to catch mistakes and get a different perspective on your writing:

Read from the bottom to the top: Start with the last sentence and go all the way to the first. This helps isolate each sentence so you can focus on errors.

Read out loud: Read your work out loud in funny or strange voices. Pretend you are a robot or an opera singer to highlight grammar errors or awkward sentences that need your attention.

Use the read aloud function: Most word processing systems have a read aloud option. Listening to someone else (or a computer) read your work gives you the perspective of a listener or a different reader and further aids in the proofreading process.

Use a Proofreading Checklist

A checklist can alleviate some of the mental fatigue of trying to remember everything you need to look for in a text. You’ll find a great proofreading checklist below to use at home.

Take Breaks

You are not a super(wo)man or a machine. Take a ten-minute break every hour or so to give your eyes and mind a rest. When you become too familiar with a text, you will start to skim over mistakes and errors. Be sure to get movement in also during your breaks to avoid any physical stiffness or discomfort.

Get a Fresh Set of Eyes

Whether it’s a friend, a peer, or a professional proofreader , having someone else look for mistakes and give feedback is always helpful. They will have a different perspective and can offer fresh ideas to enhance your writing.

Proofreading Checklist

If you’re not sure what to look for while proofreading, here’s a checklist you can copy and paste for future use. 

●  Spelling: Check for misspelled and commonly confused words (e.g., there vs. their or affect vs. effect ).

●  Grammar: Check for subject–verb agreement , verb tenses , and article use .

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●  Punctuation: Check for proper use of periods , commas , semicolons , colons , apostrophes , and quotation marks .

●  Capitalization : Check for capitalization of proper nouns, the first word of sentences, and specified words in titles and headings (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.).

●  Formatting: Check for consistency in fonts, spacing, and alignment.

●  Contractions ( I’m , can’t , should’ve , etc.): Do not use contractions in academic or business writing.

●  Clarity: Check for wordiness, redundancy, and awkward phrasing.

●  Accuracy: Check for any factual errors or inaccuracies.

●  Citations and the reference list : Check for proper in-text citation and reference list formatting.

●  Consistency: Check for consistency in language, tone, and style.

Or if you’re serious about proofreading properly, check out our official Proofed Proofreading Checklist . It’s what our expert proofreaders use!

Proofreading is an important step in the writing process because it helps to ensure that your work is clear, professional, and easy to understand. Be sure to set time aside to proofread your work, take frequent breaks during the process, and use a checklist so you don’t miss a mistake.

What are some common mistakes to look for when proofreading?

Check for spelling, punctuation, grammar, capitalization, and formatting mistakes. Make sure the writing is clear, concise, and consistent. Reword sentences that are wordy, overly lengthy, or awkward. Overall, you want to have error-free, polished, and professional text.

How can I improve my proofreading skills?

The best way to improve your proofreading skills is through practice and experience. Having a strong command of English grammar and writing mechanics is imperative. Consider taking a proofreading course, such as the one offered by Knowadays , to get expert feedback and materials if you are serious about becoming a proofreader.

What’s the difference between proofreading and editing?

Proofreading focuses on grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting mistakes. Think of it as the final polish in the writing process. Editing comes before proofreading in the writing process and focuses on the content, organization, and overall structure of the writing.

Where can I hire a professional to proofread my work for me?

Proofed has a team of more than 750 professional editors with expertise in fields across the board. We work with researchers, students, Fortune 500 companies, and independent authors to make their writing clean, professional, and ready for publication. Take advantage of our free trial today.

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Checklists: Definition, Types & Best Practices For 2022

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Brett has been starting, growing, and monetizing websites since 2014. While in college, he began to learn about digital marketing. After graduating, he continued to build a diverse portfolio of websites while working a full time job. After years of building the portfolio on the side, he made the jump to run his websites full time.

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Table of Contents

  • Difference Between a Checklist and How-To Guide
  • What Is the Purpose of Checklists?
  • Benefits of Checklists
  • Common Types of Checklists
  • Types of Checklists
  • Examples of Checklists
  • 1. Blogging Checklist Example
  • 2. New Employee Checklist Example
  • 3. Business Example
  • Where To Find Ideas & Inspiration for Checklists
  • How Do I Get Checklists?
  • Process of Creating Checklists
  • How To Create a Checklist
  • Step One: Identify What Needs To Be Done
  • Step Two: Organize and Double-Check
  • Step Three: Compile Finalized List
  • Step Four: Begin Working
  • 1. Review What Has Not Worked
  • 2. Have Someone Else Check It
  • 3. Focus on Making Each Step an Action (Do, Find, Get)
  • 4. Use It and Fix What Did Not Work
  • What Is a Checklist Tool?
  • Other Related Content Types to Check Out
  • What is a checklist used for?
  • What are the characteristics of a good checklist?
  • Wrapping Up

Checklists are an essential piece of the workplace.

Though they seem like one of the most simple things we learned in grade school, checklists can become the basis of productive working environments.

Many different types of checklists can help encourage and provide healthy habits.

What Is a Checklist?

Checklists are lists of items marked off, such as requirements, things to do, or things to be remembered.

The lists spur people to complete their tasks and to ensure that nothing gets misplaced along the way.

There are many different checklists, but they all have the same purpose.

A how-to guide has a very different agenda than a checklist.

Checklists remind and provide users the satisfaction of marking things off the list after completion, while a how-to guide is more of a step-by-step process, guiding users along every step of the way to completion.

The primary purpose of a checklist is to ensure that everything gets done.

Checklists guarantee that no project or assignment placed on the list will be lost or unfinished because it was misplaced.

It compiles everything in one area and can be organized based on importance.

Why Are Checklists Important?

There are many benefits to using checklists.

The types of content  that are contained and organized in a list vary.

It is easy for things to get lost in the craziness of a workday or the stress of projects and due dates. These lists keep everybody organized and on task.

Checklists are the key to an organized business.

The lists provide a central location that optimizes productivity.

It also encourages efficiency, especially when dealing with repetitious tasks that often miss or forget a step.

While checklists promote accomplishment, they also reduce the number of neglected assignments.

Checklists are one of the best productivity hacks  out there.

Many lists fall under the checklist umbrella, but they each collect and organize data in a format that prevents it from becoming misplaced.

They keep information in a format to accomplish tasks easier and more efficiently.

Checklists include a lot of different types of information.

As many uses can help develop various content strategies .

  • To-Do Checklists : The most common checklist is a to-do list. This list revolves around completing tasks and marking down when the assignments after completion. They are an outline that can be either very organized or a simple composition of all that needs to be done. These assignments never have to be done in a specific order but typically are just a place for everything to be collected.
  • Training Checklists : Training checklists are essential to any company wishing to have knowledgeable employees with all the training necessary to succeed. Every job has specific skills needed to do well, and a training checklist ensures that the employee has the training and is up to date on all the necessary information.
  • Task Checklists : Much like a to-do list, task checklists are lists that must follow a specific order, like a cooking recipe. This list is essential to getting a task done in the necessary order, even if that is just an order of priority. As workers go through the list, they will mark off completed tasks.
  • Troubleshooting Checklists : A troubleshooting checklist is a guide to fix whatever is going wrong. Like a fire safety plan, troubleshooting spells out everything that could go wrong and what to do to put out the fire when it does ignite. A type of preventative maintenance, troubleshooting works to combat common problems with ready solutions.

What Types of Checklists Are Most Popular?

Each list has its function and place, but two types of checklists set themselves apart from the others.

To-do lists and task checklists are probably the most used in the workplace. Both of these help people organize and complete tasks effectively.

These checklists help the blogging process , and working process go much smoother.

It is challenging to create an accurate list with all the necessary information.

Many companies will post their checklists online if they do not contain trade secrets. These lists can be used as an outline to mimic.

Blogs or written posts typically have many pieces which need to be in every article.

A blog checklist  ensures that all requirements are met before submission.

There are many steps to this process, which is why a checklist is essential to ensuring that no step was missed.

Asana’s New Employee Checklist  has an extensive amount of skills and training that are required for anyone applying.

Because Asana wants qualified and experienced employees, they start the hiring process with a checklist that ensures each applicant is capable.

They use their list to get the information they see as vital before hiring an applicant. 

All Business’ Checklists to Success  focuses more on day-to-day activity than big goals.

They utilize five different types of checklists to keep their operation running smoothing and to put out any fires as soon as they start.

Checklist Ideas & Inspiration

Checklists are inclusive and can mean a lot of things.

It is essential to use them correctly to properly understand how to make a checklist, what it should look like, and its driving force.

Here are some mistakes to avoid and inspiration to look for.

There are plenty of places to look. However, finding an accurate list to help organize the tasks you need can be challenging.

Plenty of businesses offer their lists publicly, but it is best to only take inspiration from there and not copy and paste them.

A simple google search can help, but it may be better to focus on something that correlates directly to you.

For the most part, companies make their lists themselves.

However, many tasks can utilize others’ lists.

Using a template to build off of it to suit your needs is especially beneficial.

Personalizing pre-made lists is a great way to utilize and combine resources.

Knowing you need a checklist is a great place to start, but from there, you have to get to the nitty-gritty of making the list.

Checklists are generally simple but require a compilation of all relative tasks and small measurable goals to accomplish each task.

Before you can create a checklist, you need to understand the process.

  • Step One : Identify What Needs to be Done
  • Step Two : Organize and Double-check
  • Step Three : Compile Finalized List
  • Step Four : Begin Working

This process begins with finding out what needs to get done and writing it down in a way that sets you up to create the perfect checklist.

Making a list starts with the most basic task of assembling a job that needs to be done and pulling it together to one location.

From there, it is a matter of organizing and building the list in a way that benefits you and pushes you to get things done.

Some tasks can be put on the back burner, while others are time-sensitive.

Identify which jobs need to be at the top and which ones can wait a while.

Tasks are often misplaced or forgotten because they were merely mentioned and not written down.

Double and triple-check that every assignment is accounted for.

Once that list is finalized, organize it if you need to. Remember, content is king  and needs to be accurate and up-to-date.

Put the list together on a clean sheet.

Keep the mess of paper that you put everything down on, but take that information and re-write it nicely on a new sheet that allows you to use it better.

Once the list is complete, begin using it to work through all the tasks.

It is beneficial to mark off completed tasks so nothing is done twice or left unaccounted for.

Checklist Best Practices

One of the best ways to ensure that your checklist will help and not hurt is to use a template .

Your list has to be used correctly and have the necessary information to be helpful as you attempt to complete assignments.

Everyone has made some list before, and it failed miserably.

As you begin this professional list, find what did not work last time and resolve that issue.

If the issue cannot be resolved, find a workaround that prevents it from slowing people down.

After you stare at something for too long, it looks right to you.

Others can catch mistakes you missed and help you create a top-notch checklist.

They also can remind you of things you may have missed.

The whole point of a checklist is to get people moving by identifying each task they need to do.

Action words encourage people to get up and going, which helps them move through the assignments.

Avoid any passive language and use verbs that implicate movement.

Some things are not going to work out; no list is perfect.

Find out what caused wrinkles and confusion and slowed down your employees, and then change the checklist to eliminate those issues.

Checklist Tools to Save Time and Money

Writing out complete checklists can take up a lot of time and may, in the long run, be more hassle than it’s worth.

So the easy solution is to find a user to create the checklist for you.

The right software can be monumentally helpful, especially if it connects to your site.

A checklist tool is software that compiles all the tasks and assignments to create the needed list for you.

It can save a lot of time and effort, though most software does cost money.

These tools can make the checklist-making process much smoother and easier to use.

There are too many options, so here are a few of our favorite checklist tools that make our process much smoother.

These tools provide a place to compile our tasks and create a comprehensive list.

1. AI Writing Software

AI Writing Software  is a collection of writing tools.

They may not be solely bent on making lists, but AI Writing Software like Jasper and Grammarly make writing blog posts properly  as easy as making a checklist.

2. Graphic Design Software

Graphic Design Software  makes lists a bit more fun, as this is more of a design outlet to display the list.

At its core, graphic design software allows content to renew in a form that makes it fun.

3. Infographic Maker

Much like graphic design software, Infographic Maker  also creates a design for the information

Infographics tend to lean more toward posters and social media, whereas graphic design typically stays on the web.

Lists are not the only way to get things done.

You can also checkout using these other ways to organize and create types of blog content :

  • Listicle : Listicle refers to the combination of a list and an article.  
  • Evergreen Content : Information that will always stay relevant is evergreen content. It is a basis that will last long past trends.
  • Quality Content : Using Quality Content builds trust with your users. They want to know that they can trust the content you release and do not have to be so on guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many logistical things behind checklists.

Here are a few frequently asked questions about checklists.

Checklists organize and compile data into one location, making it easily accessible to find and complete tasks. Checklists prevent jobs from being misplaced or forgotten.

A good checklist includes all the necessary information but is constructed in smaller forms. The best list is attainable to finish but not so easy to forget.

Checklists are essential to life, whether a grocery list or a list of topics to write about .

They make life easier and help companies complete tasks faster and in an organized manner.

Checklists set up an outline of what to do and when to do it.

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Academic Writing Checklists

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As a student or academic researcher, you probably have numerous projects. Academic writing checklists help organize and edit papers, allowing you to produce flawless, high-quality work. So, it is important to understand the different checklists used for various academic tasks.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

  • 1 Academic Writing Checklists – In a Nutshell
  • 2 Definition: Academic writing checklists
  • 3 Academic writing checklists: College applications
  • 4 Academic writing checklists: Source credibility
  • 5 Academic writing checklists: Dissertation
  • 6 Academic writing checklists: Writing style
  • 7 Academic writing checklists: Essays
  • 8 Academic writing checklists: Avoiding plagiarism
  • 9 Academic writing checklists: Formal emails

Academic Writing Checklists – In a Nutshell

  • Academic writing checklists help organize their written work.
  • They may asssist with editing their written papers.
  • They may help remain focused during writing.
  • The quality of a research paper may be improved.

Definition: Academic writing checklists

Academic writing checklists streamline academic writing by ensuring that a research paper adheres to all academic conventions.

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Academic writing checklists: College applications

  • I filled in my personal information.
  • I highlighted my accomplishments.
  • I sent in my SAT’s scores.
  • I included my admission test scores.
  • I presented my recommendation letters.
  • I answered the college-specific questions.
  • I presented the required essays.
  • I sent a portfolio of my talents.
  • I paid my application fees.
  • I filled in my financial aid information.
  • I signed and sent in my application.
  • I informed the colleges I rejected.
  • I proofread my application documents.
  • I created a balanced college list.
  • I made copies of my application documents.

College admissions essay academic writing checklists

  • Shares who I am.
  • Shows my abilities.
  • Demonstrates my experience.
  • Answers the questions asked.
  • Shows my values and accomplishments.
  • Meets the desired word count.
  • Is proofread.
  • I got a second opinion on my essay.
  • Uses the correct format and structure.
  • Free of grammatical errors and plagiarism.
  • Uses credible sources.

Statement of purpose academic writing checklists

  • Aligns with the prompt.
  • Highlights my background.
  • Shows my relevant experience.
  • Shows my key achievements.
  • Shows the correlation between my previous experience and plans.
  • Centres around one idea.
  • Shows the aspects of the facility that impressed me.
  • Demonstrates specific aspects of the program that impressed me.
  • Explains how the program will help me in my future endeavours.
  • Is proofread and revised.
  • I got a second opinion.
  • Is tailored to the institution’s needs.

Essay topic academic writing checklists

  • Reflects my passions.
  • Demonstrates my academic qualifications.
  • Aligns with the institution’s requirements.
  • Follows the right structure.
  • Was approved by a tutor or academic expert.
  • Is authentic and unique.
  • Reflects my interests.
  • Explores a period of personal growth.
  • Reflects a holistic image of the writer.
  • Shows my artistic abilities.
  • Has no grammatical errors.
  • Demonstrates a problem I have solved.

Academic writing checklists: Source credibility

  • Author is an expert in the relevant field.
  • Uses technical terms.
  • The author is affiliated with a recognized institution.
  • Free of grammatical errors.
  • Includes a reference list
  • Based on verifiable facts.
  • Shows no bias.
  • Addresses a particular audience.
  • Appeals to the reader’s logic.
  • Has an informative general look.
  • Demonstrates the author’s purpose.

Academic writing checklists: Dissertation

  • Clearly-described methodology.
  • The title page has university details.
  • Includes an acknowledgement section
  • Abstract has clear arguments and ideas.
  • Has a table of contents.
  • Introduction has relevant research questions.
  • Has a literature review.
  • Explains my theoretical framework.
  • Demonstrates my data collection and analysis.
  • Includes results.
  • Discusses the meaning of the outcomes.
  • Conclusions answer the main research question.
  • Explains the implications of my conclusion.
  • Has appendices.
  • Includes a bibliography.

Abstract academic writing checklists

  • Not longer than one page.
  • Illustrates what the dissertation entails.
  • Excludes references.
  • Only includes text.
  • Has a brief outline of the methodology.
  • Demonstrates research’s implications.

Tables academic writing checklists

  • Formatted consistently.
  • Labeled tables.
  • Relevant to research.
  • All tables are discussed.
  • Formatted appropriately.

Introduction checklists

  • Includes research questions.
  • Captivating.
  • Includes the research purpose.
  • Demonstrates the importance of the dissertation.

Results academic writing checklists

  • Data was collected, and the results analyzed.
  • Data was presented in graphs and tables.
  • Well-labelled.
  • Presented in the correct format.
  • Results address the research questions.

Discussion academic writing checklists

  • Proper discussion and interpretation of results.
  • States the limitation in my results.
  • I restarted my research questions.
  • Results are explained logically.
  • Provides a summary of the key findings.
  • Includes a conclusion based on the findings.
  • Free of graphs and figures.
  • Justifies my approach.

Recommendations for future research academic writing checklists

  • Directly connected to the research in this dissertation.
  • Aligns with key findings.
  • Are “SMART”.

Conclusion academic writing checklists

  • All research questions are answered.
  • Includes a summary of the main ideas of the dissertation.
  • Has recommendations for future research.
  • Reflects on my research process.
  • Discusses the general findings of my research.

Appendix academic writing checklists

  • Has a clear label and title.
  • Has its page.
  • Has a source.
  • Aligns with the research findings and objectives.

Academic writing checklists: Writing style

  • I used appropriate connecting phrases to connect paragraphs.
  • I used a consistent formatting style.
  • My paragraphs begin with a topic sentence.
  • All my paragraphs are connected.
  • My introduction has a thesis statement.
  • A list of references.
  • In-text citations.
  • I used active tense.
  • My essay begins with a clear topic.
  • My introduction is short and engaging.
  • My conclusion is a summary of my research.

Academic writing checklists: Essays

  • Uses formal terms.
  • Doesn’t use redundant words.
  • Uses simple language.
  • Presents my information.
  • Uses a consistent formatting style.
  • Includes in-text citations.
  • Includes a reference list.
  • Correct number formatting.
  • Has logical claims.
  • Paragraphs are connected.
  • Free of plagiarism.
  • Zero-grammatical errors.
  • Body supports my thesis statement.
  • Starts paragraphs with a topic sentence.
  • Every paragraph focuses on one idea.

Essay introduction academic writing checklists

  • Defines important terms in the introduction.
  • Introduction is engaging.
  • Introduces the focus of the research in the introduction.
  • Has a short and clear introduction
  • Has a thesis statement in the introduction.

Academic writing checklists: Avoiding plagiarism

  • In-text citations appear everywhere.
  • Quotation marks used for direct quotations.
  • I proofread my work.
  • I used an online tool to help me detect any plagiarism.
  • I used my ideas.
  • I used information that was common knowledge.
  • I used direct quotations for 10% of my work.

Academic writing checklists: Formal emails

  • Uses proper salutations and closings.
  • Has a subject line.
  • Has a short and precise message.
  • Observes the correct structure.
  • States purpose and engages the recipient.

What are the 3 rules for academic writing?

Writing should be:

  • Based on factual information
  • Free of plagiarism

What is an academic writing checklist?

This is a checklist to help you organize and edit your written work.

What are the benefits of using editing checklists for academic writing?

A good editing checklist simplifies the editing and publication of your work.

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Meaning of checklist in English

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  • bibliographic
  • bibliographically
  • birthday honours
  • honors list
  • questionnaire
  • registrable
  • roll of honour
  • the White Pages
  • waiting list
  • wedding list

checklist | Intermediate English

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Definition of 'checklist'

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checklist in American English

Checklist in british english, examples of 'checklist' in a sentence checklist, related word partners checklist, trends of checklist.

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In other languages checklist

  • American English : checklist / tˈʃɛklɪst /
  • Brazilian Portuguese : lista de conferência
  • Chinese : 清单
  • European Spanish : lista
  • French : liste
  • German : Checkliste
  • Italian : lista
  • Japanese : チェックリスト
  • Korean : 대조표
  • European Portuguese : lista de conferência
  • Spanish : lista

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checklist writing definition

Checklists: What is a checklist and how to use it?

What is a checklist.

Checklists, Control Lists or Verification Lists are formats designed to perform repetitive activities , to verify a list of requirements or to collect data in an orderly and systematic manner. They are used to make systematic checks of activities or products ensuring that the worker or inspector does not forget anything important.

check-list

– Verification of the activities development in which it is important not to forget any step, or where the tasks have to be done with an established order.

– Doing inspections and record the points which have been inspected.

– Check the correct implementation of standards or procedures.

– Obtain information to analyze where the incidences and non-conformities happen. Help to check the causes of defects.

– Verification of the product specifications.

– Collect data for further analysis.

In short, these lists are usually used to perform routine checks and inspections, and to ensure that the worker doesn’t forget anything during his daily tasks.

The advantage of using checklists is that it enables you to systematize the repetitive activities and controls that we have to do, and later it can be used as a register of the tasks that we have done each day.

How to use a checklist?

It is important that your checklists were clearly written, and it may include all information that you can need during the development of you tasks.

Here you have a list with the things that a checklist  should include :

– Things that have to be controlled, measured or verified.

– Conformity criteria and potential nonconformities (what is right and what is wrong).

– How often it has to be inspected: frequency of the checking.

– Who does the tasks or the verifications.

– Procedures, specifications and rules that apply in the checked activities.

Also we should include space to write appreciations, in order to let the worker write any observation and to obtain preliminary information about possible reasons that have caused any disagreement.

On the other hand, we also can use the check lists for obtaining data, we can use it to build graphs, histograms or diagrams to control the evolution of a feature or activity. They can be are also used to report daily the status of the operations.

Example: How to create a checklist

Here is a sample of checklist:

checklist1

Download checklist example  (MS Word format)

This checklist example can be used in a production plant to control the components of the product, the defects, incidences and the delays in the production line. Thus, all points would be checked in each inspected product, identifying the product code and serving also as a register, which would be kept and may provide in the future information about what products have been inspected each day and its results.

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Editing Checklist

Does this paper fulfill all requirements of the assignment ?

Does this paper have a thesis ? Is the thesis specific ?

Does this paragraph have topic sentences at the beginning of each body paragraph? Do the topic sentences both connect to the thesis and introduce what I will be talking about in the paragraph itself?

Are there paragraphs that seem to be too long or too short ? Are the paragraphs relatively similar lengths?

Have I examined my paper for excess repetition (of words, phrases, sentence constructions)?

Are there transitions between paragraphs ?

Are there transitions between sentences ?

Does the conclusion do more than simply repeat the introduction, or summarize my argument? Have I extrapolated anything meaningful? Have I explained to my audience why this paper is important to them?

If quotations have been used, have they been smoothly integrated into the text with my own sentence both before and after the quote, including signal phrases ?

Have I properly formatted quotes over three lines (using indentation)?

Have I used an appropriate number and variety of sources (per the assignment requirements)?

Have I documented paraphrases and quotations appropriately, using an approved citation guide (MLA, APA, etc.)?

Does the paper have an original, meaningful title ?

Have I included page numbers ?

Have I maintained consistent use of verb tense ?

Have I used strong verbs ?

Have I used active and passive voice appropriately , given the field of writing?

Have I read the entire paper aloud , one word at a time, to check for simple errors?

Have I eliminated unnecessary words ?

Have I carefully proofread the paper for spelling and punctuation ?

Check for varied sentence structure and length: With a pen in your hand, read your paper out loud. At the end of each sentence, make a slash mark (/). Look at your sentences: are they very long? Very short? Mix it up!

Check for complete sentences: Starting from the last sentence in your paper, read it backwards, one sentence at a time. This helps you focus on a single sentence. Double-underline the subject and underline the verb for each independent clause. Make sure each subject has a verb. A sentence that starts with for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, although, as, because, or which runs a high risk of being a sentence fragment, so read it out loud to check if any additional words are needed or if it should be connected to the previous sentence. Be on the lookout for misplaced or absent commas that result in run-on sentences or comma splices.

Check pronouns’ referents: Draw a small square around each pronoun. Draw an arrow to the pronoun’s antecedent/referent. Check that your writing is clear and specific on who or what the pronoun is referring to (Does the reader know who they are? Can the reader easily know what you mean by it?). Check for singular/plural consistency.

Check transitional words and phrases: Draw a wavy line under each transitional word or phrase (moreover, in addition, on the other hand, etc.). You should have some transitions but not too many. Is each transitional word being used appropriately?

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8.4 Revising and Editing

Learning objectives.

  • Identify major areas of concern in the draft essay during revising and editing.
  • Use peer reviews and editing checklists to assist revising and editing.
  • Revise and edit the first draft of your essay and produce a final draft.

Revising and editing are the two tasks you undertake to significantly improve your essay. Both are very important elements of the writing process. You may think that a completed first draft means little improvement is needed. However, even experienced writers need to improve their drafts and rely on peers during revising and editing. You may know that athletes miss catches, fumble balls, or overshoot goals. Dancers forget steps, turn too slowly, or miss beats. For both athletes and dancers, the more they practice, the stronger their performance will become. Web designers seek better images, a more clever design, or a more appealing background for their web pages. Writing has the same capacity to profit from improvement and revision.

Understanding the Purpose of Revising and Editing

Revising and editing allow you to examine two important aspects of your writing separately, so that you can give each task your undivided attention.

  • When you revise , you take a second look at your ideas. You might add, cut, move, or change information in order to make your ideas clearer, more accurate, more interesting, or more convincing.
  • When you edit , you take a second look at how you expressed your ideas. You add or change words. You fix any problems in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. You improve your writing style. You make your essay into a polished, mature piece of writing, the end product of your best efforts.

How do you get the best out of your revisions and editing? Here are some strategies that writers have developed to look at their first drafts from a fresh perspective. Try them over the course of this semester; then keep using the ones that bring results.

  • Take a break. You are proud of what you wrote, but you might be too close to it to make changes. Set aside your writing for a few hours or even a day until you can look at it objectively.
  • Ask someone you trust for feedback and constructive criticism.
  • Pretend you are one of your readers. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied? Why?
  • Use the resources that your college provides. Find out where your school’s writing lab is located and ask about the assistance they provide online and in person.

Many people hear the words critic , critical , and criticism and pick up only negative vibes that provoke feelings that make them blush, grumble, or shout. However, as a writer and a thinker, you need to learn to be critical of yourself in a positive way and have high expectations for your work. You also need to train your eye and trust your ability to fix what needs fixing. For this, you need to teach yourself where to look.

Creating Unity and Coherence

Following your outline closely offers you a reasonable guarantee that your writing will stay on purpose and not drift away from the controlling idea. However, when writers are rushed, are tired, or cannot find the right words, their writing may become less than they want it to be. Their writing may no longer be clear and concise, and they may be adding information that is not needed to develop the main idea.

When a piece of writing has unity , all the ideas in each paragraph and in the entire essay clearly belong and are arranged in an order that makes logical sense. When the writing has coherence , the ideas flow smoothly. The wording clearly indicates how one idea leads to another within a paragraph and from paragraph to paragraph.

Reading your writing aloud will often help you find problems with unity and coherence. Listen for the clarity and flow of your ideas. Identify places where you find yourself confused, and write a note to yourself about possible fixes.

Creating Unity

Sometimes writers get caught up in the moment and cannot resist a good digression. Even though you might enjoy such detours when you chat with friends, unplanned digressions usually harm a piece of writing.

Mariah stayed close to her outline when she drafted the three body paragraphs of her essay she tentatively titled “Digital Technology: The Newest and the Best at What Price?” But a recent shopping trip for an HDTV upset her enough that she digressed from the main topic of her third paragraph and included comments about the sales staff at the electronics store she visited. When she revised her essay, she deleted the off-topic sentences that affected the unity of the paragraph.

Read the following paragraph twice, the first time without Mariah’s changes, and the second time with them.

Nothing is more confusing to me than choosing among televisions. It confuses lots of people who want a new high-definition digital television (HDTV) with a large screen to watch sports and DVDs on. You could listen to the guys in the electronics store, but word has it they know little more than you do. They want to sell what they have in stock, not what best fits your needs. You face decisions you never had to make with the old, bulky picture-tube televisions. Screen resolution means the number of horizontal scan lines the screen can show. This resolution is often 1080p, or full HD, or 768p. The trouble is that if you have a smaller screen, 32 inches or 37 inches diagonal, you won’t be able to tell the difference with the naked eye. The 1080p televisions cost more, though, so those are what the salespeople want you to buy. They get bigger commissions. The other important decision you face as you walk around the sales floor is whether to get a plasma screen or an LCD screen. Now here the salespeople may finally give you decent info. Plasma flat-panel television screens can be much larger in diameter than their LCD rivals. Plasma screens show truer blacks and can be viewed at a wider angle than current LCD screens. But be careful and tell the salesperson you have budget constraints. Large flat-panel plasma screens are much more expensive than flat-screen LCD models. Don’t let someone make you by more television than you need!

Answer the following two questions about Mariah’s paragraph:

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

  • Now start to revise the first draft of the essay you wrote in Section 8 “Writing Your Own First Draft” . Reread it to find any statements that affect the unity of your writing. Decide how best to revise.

When you reread your writing to find revisions to make, look for each type of problem in a separate sweep. Read it straight through once to locate any problems with unity. Read it straight through a second time to find problems with coherence. You may follow this same practice during many stages of the writing process.

Writing at Work

Many companies hire copyeditors and proofreaders to help them produce the cleanest possible final drafts of large writing projects. Copyeditors are responsible for suggesting revisions and style changes; proofreaders check documents for any errors in capitalization, spelling, and punctuation that have crept in. Many times, these tasks are done on a freelance basis, with one freelancer working for a variety of clients.

Creating Coherence

Careful writers use transitions to clarify how the ideas in their sentences and paragraphs are related. These words and phrases help the writing flow smoothly. Adding transitions is not the only way to improve coherence, but they are often useful and give a mature feel to your essays. Table 8.3 “Common Transitional Words and Phrases” groups many common transitions according to their purpose.

Table 8.3 Common Transitional Words and Phrases

After Maria revised for unity, she next examined her paragraph about televisions to check for coherence. She looked for places where she needed to add a transition or perhaps reword the text to make the flow of ideas clear. In the version that follows, she has already deleted the sentences that were off topic.

Many writers make their revisions on a printed copy and then transfer them to the version on-screen. They conventionally use a small arrow called a caret (^) to show where to insert an addition or correction.

A marked up essay

1. Answer the following questions about Mariah’s revised paragraph.

2. Now return to the first draft of the essay you wrote in Section 8 “Writing Your Own First Draft” and revise it for coherence. Add transition words and phrases where they are needed, and make any other changes that are needed to improve the flow and connection between ideas.

Being Clear and Concise

Some writers are very methodical and painstaking when they write a first draft. Other writers unleash a lot of words in order to get out all that they feel they need to say. Do either of these composing styles match your style? Or is your composing style somewhere in between? No matter which description best fits you, the first draft of almost every piece of writing, no matter its author, can be made clearer and more concise.

If you have a tendency to write too much, you will need to look for unnecessary words. If you have a tendency to be vague or imprecise in your wording, you will need to find specific words to replace any overly general language.

Identifying Wordiness

Sometimes writers use too many words when fewer words will appeal more to their audience and better fit their purpose. Here are some common examples of wordiness to look for in your draft. Eliminating wordiness helps all readers, because it makes your ideas clear, direct, and straightforward.

Sentences that begin with There is or There are .

Wordy: There are two major experiments that the Biology Department sponsors.

Revised: The Biology Department sponsors two major experiments.

Sentences with unnecessary modifiers.

Wordy: Two extremely famous and well-known consumer advocates spoke eloquently in favor of the proposed important legislation.

Revised: Two well-known consumer advocates spoke in favor of the proposed legislation.

Sentences with deadwood phrases that add little to the meaning. Be judicious when you use phrases such as in terms of , with a mind to , on the subject of , as to whether or not , more or less , as far as…is concerned , and similar expressions. You can usually find a more straightforward way to state your point.

Wordy: As a world leader in the field of green technology, the company plans to focus its efforts in the area of geothermal energy.

A report as to whether or not to use geysers as an energy source is in the process of preparation.

Revised: As a world leader in green technology, the company plans to focus on geothermal energy.

A report about using geysers as an energy source is in preparation.

Sentences in the passive voice or with forms of the verb to be . Sentences with passive-voice verbs often create confusion, because the subject of the sentence does not perform an action. Sentences are clearer when the subject of the sentence performs the action and is followed by a strong verb. Use strong active-voice verbs in place of forms of to be , which can lead to wordiness. Avoid passive voice when you can.

Wordy: It might perhaps be said that using a GPS device is something that is a benefit to drivers who have a poor sense of direction.

Revised: Using a GPS device benefits drivers who have a poor sense of direction.

Sentences with constructions that can be shortened.

Wordy: The e-book reader, which is a recent invention, may become as commonplace as the cell phone.

My over-sixty uncle bought an e-book reader, and his wife bought an e-book reader, too.

Revised: The e-book reader, a recent invention, may become as commonplace as the cell phone.

My over-sixty uncle and his wife both bought e-book readers.

Now return once more to the first draft of the essay you have been revising. Check it for unnecessary words. Try making your sentences as concise as they can be.

Choosing Specific, Appropriate Words

Most college essays should be written in formal English suitable for an academic situation. Follow these principles to be sure that your word choice is appropriate. For more information about word choice, see Chapter 4 “Working with Words: Which Word Is Right?” .

  • Avoid slang. Find alternatives to bummer , kewl , and rad .
  • Avoid language that is overly casual. Write about “men and women” rather than “girls and guys” unless you are trying to create a specific effect. A formal tone calls for formal language.
  • Avoid contractions. Use do not in place of don’t , I am in place of I’m , have not in place of haven’t , and so on. Contractions are considered casual speech.
  • Avoid clichés. Overused expressions such as green with envy , face the music , better late than never , and similar expressions are empty of meaning and may not appeal to your audience.
  • Be careful when you use words that sound alike but have different meanings. Some examples are allusion/illusion , complement/compliment , council/counsel , concurrent/consecutive , founder/flounder , and historic/historical . When in doubt, check a dictionary.
  • Choose words with the connotations you want. Choosing a word for its connotations is as important in formal essay writing as it is in all kinds of writing. Compare the positive connotations of the word proud and the negative connotations of arrogant and conceited .
  • Use specific words rather than overly general words. Find synonyms for thing , people , nice , good , bad , interesting , and other vague words. Or use specific details to make your exact meaning clear.

Now read the revisions Mariah made to make her third paragraph clearer and more concise. She has already incorporated the changes she made to improve unity and coherence.

A marked up essay with revisions

1. Answer the following questions about Mariah’s revised paragraph:

2. Now return once more to your essay in progress. Read carefully for problems with word choice. Be sure that your draft is written in formal language and that your word choice is specific and appropriate.

Completing a Peer Review

After working so closely with a piece of writing, writers often need to step back and ask for a more objective reader. What writers most need is feedback from readers who can respond only to the words on the page. When they are ready, writers show their drafts to someone they respect and who can give an honest response about its strengths and weaknesses.

You, too, can ask a peer to read your draft when it is ready. After evaluating the feedback and assessing what is most helpful, the reader’s feedback will help you when you revise your draft. This process is called peer review .

You can work with a partner in your class and identify specific ways to strengthen each other’s essays. Although you may be uncomfortable sharing your writing at first, remember that each writer is working toward the same goal: a final draft that fits the audience and the purpose. Maintaining a positive attitude when providing feedback will put you and your partner at ease. The box that follows provides a useful framework for the peer review session.

Questions for Peer Review

Title of essay: ____________________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________

Writer’s name: ____________________________________________

Peer reviewer’s name: _________________________________________

  • This essay is about____________________________________________.
  • Your main points in this essay are____________________________________________.
  • What I most liked about this essay is____________________________________________.

These three points struck me as your strongest:

These places in your essay are not clear to me:

a. Where: ____________________________________________

Needs improvement because__________________________________________

b. Where: ____________________________________________

Needs improvement because ____________________________________________

c. Where: ____________________________________________

The one additional change you could make that would improve this essay significantly is ____________________________________________.

One of the reasons why word-processing programs build in a reviewing feature is that workgroups have become a common feature in many businesses. Writing is often collaborative, and the members of a workgroup and their supervisors often critique group members’ work and offer feedback that will lead to a better final product.

Exchange essays with a classmate and complete a peer review of each other’s draft in progress. Remember to give positive feedback and to be courteous and polite in your responses. Focus on providing one positive comment and one question for more information to the author.

Using Feedback Objectively

The purpose of peer feedback is to receive constructive criticism of your essay. Your peer reviewer is your first real audience, and you have the opportunity to learn what confuses and delights a reader so that you can improve your work before sharing the final draft with a wider audience (or your intended audience).

It may not be necessary to incorporate every recommendation your peer reviewer makes. However, if you start to observe a pattern in the responses you receive from peer reviewers, you might want to take that feedback into consideration in future assignments. For example, if you read consistent comments about a need for more research, then you may want to consider including more research in future assignments.

Using Feedback from Multiple Sources

You might get feedback from more than one reader as you share different stages of your revised draft. In this situation, you may receive feedback from readers who do not understand the assignment or who lack your involvement with and enthusiasm for it.

You need to evaluate the responses you receive according to two important criteria:

  • Determine if the feedback supports the purpose of the assignment.
  • Determine if the suggested revisions are appropriate to the audience.

Then, using these standards, accept or reject revision feedback.

Work with two partners. Go back to Note 8.81 “Exercise 4” in this lesson and compare your responses to Activity A, about Mariah’s paragraph, with your partners’. Recall Mariah’s purpose for writing and her audience. Then, working individually, list where you agree and where you disagree about revision needs.

Editing Your Draft

If you have been incorporating each set of revisions as Mariah has, you have produced multiple drafts of your writing. So far, all your changes have been content changes. Perhaps with the help of peer feedback, you have made sure that you sufficiently supported your ideas. You have checked for problems with unity and coherence. You have examined your essay for word choice, revising to cut unnecessary words and to replace weak wording with specific and appropriate wording.

The next step after revising the content is editing. When you edit, you examine the surface features of your text. You examine your spelling, grammar, usage, and punctuation. You also make sure you use the proper format when creating your finished assignment.

Editing often takes time. Budgeting time into the writing process allows you to complete additional edits after revising. Editing and proofreading your writing helps you create a finished work that represents your best efforts. Here are a few more tips to remember about your readers:

  • Readers do not notice correct spelling, but they do notice misspellings.
  • Readers look past your sentences to get to your ideas—unless the sentences are awkward, poorly constructed, and frustrating to read.
  • Readers notice when every sentence has the same rhythm as every other sentence, with no variety.
  • Readers do not cheer when you use there , their , and they’re correctly, but they notice when you do not.
  • Readers will notice the care with which you handled your assignment and your attention to detail in the delivery of an error-free document..

The first section of this book offers a useful review of grammar, mechanics, and usage. Use it to help you eliminate major errors in your writing and refine your understanding of the conventions of language. Do not hesitate to ask for help, too, from peer tutors in your academic department or in the college’s writing lab. In the meantime, use the checklist to help you edit your writing.

Editing Your Writing

  • Are some sentences actually sentence fragments?
  • Are some sentences run-on sentences? How can I correct them?
  • Do some sentences need conjunctions between independent clauses?
  • Does every verb agree with its subject?
  • Is every verb in the correct tense?
  • Are tense forms, especially for irregular verbs, written correctly?
  • Have I used subject, object, and possessive personal pronouns correctly?
  • Have I used who and whom correctly?
  • Is the antecedent of every pronoun clear?
  • Do all personal pronouns agree with their antecedents?
  • Have I used the correct comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs?
  • Is it clear which word a participial phrase modifies, or is it a dangling modifier?

Sentence Structure

  • Are all my sentences simple sentences, or do I vary my sentence structure?
  • Have I chosen the best coordinating or subordinating conjunctions to join clauses?
  • Have I created long, overpacked sentences that should be shortened for clarity?
  • Do I see any mistakes in parallel structure?

Punctuation

  • Does every sentence end with the correct end punctuation?
  • Can I justify the use of every exclamation point?
  • Have I used apostrophes correctly to write all singular and plural possessive forms?
  • Have I used quotation marks correctly?

Mechanics and Usage

  • Can I find any spelling errors? How can I correct them?
  • Have I used capital letters where they are needed?
  • Have I written abbreviations, where allowed, correctly?
  • Can I find any errors in the use of commonly confused words, such as to / too / two ?

Be careful about relying too much on spelling checkers and grammar checkers. A spelling checker cannot recognize that you meant to write principle but wrote principal instead. A grammar checker often queries constructions that are perfectly correct. The program does not understand your meaning; it makes its check against a general set of formulas that might not apply in each instance. If you use a grammar checker, accept the suggestions that make sense, but consider why the suggestions came up.

Proofreading requires patience; it is very easy to read past a mistake. Set your paper aside for at least a few hours, if not a day or more, so your mind will rest. Some professional proofreaders read a text backward so they can concentrate on spelling and punctuation. Another helpful technique is to slowly read a paper aloud, paying attention to every word, letter, and punctuation mark.

If you need additional proofreading help, ask a reliable friend, a classmate, or a peer tutor to make a final pass on your paper to look for anything you missed.

Remember to use proper format when creating your finished assignment. Sometimes an instructor, a department, or a college will require students to follow specific instructions on titles, margins, page numbers, or the location of the writer’s name. These requirements may be more detailed and rigid for research projects and term papers, which often observe the American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern Language Association (MLA) style guides, especially when citations of sources are included.

To ensure the format is correct and follows any specific instructions, make a final check before you submit an assignment.

With the help of the checklist, edit and proofread your essay.

Key Takeaways

  • Revising and editing are the stages of the writing process in which you improve your work before producing a final draft.
  • During revising, you add, cut, move, or change information in order to improve content.
  • During editing, you take a second look at the words and sentences you used to express your ideas and fix any problems in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
  • Unity in writing means that all the ideas in each paragraph and in the entire essay clearly belong together and are arranged in an order that makes logical sense.
  • Coherence in writing means that the writer’s wording clearly indicates how one idea leads to another within a paragraph and between paragraphs.
  • Transitional words and phrases effectively make writing more coherent.
  • Writing should be clear and concise, with no unnecessary words.
  • Effective formal writing uses specific, appropriate words and avoids slang, contractions, clichés, and overly general words.
  • Peer reviews, done properly, can give writers objective feedback about their writing. It is the writer’s responsibility to evaluate the results of peer reviews and incorporate only useful feedback.
  • Remember to budget time for careful editing and proofreading. Use all available resources, including editing checklists, peer editing, and your institution’s writing lab, to improve your editing skills.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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  • Research paper

Checklist: Writing a Great Research Paper

Published on October 16, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 29, 2022.

A research paper is an extended piece of writing based on in-depth independent research. It may involve conducting empirical research or analyzing primary and secondary sources .

Writing a good research paper requires you to demonstrate a strong knowledge of your topic and advance an original argument. To convincingly communicate your ideas, you need a logical structure and a clear style that follows the conventions of academic writing .

When you’ve finished writing your paper, use this checklist to evaluate your work.

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Checklist: Research paper

I have followed all instructions in the assignment sheet.

My introduction presents my topic in an engaging way and provides necessary background information.

My introduction presents a clear, focused research problem and/or thesis statement .

My paper is logically organized using paragraphs and (if relevant) section headings .

Each paragraph is clearly focused on one central idea, expressed in a clear topic sentence .

Each paragraph is relevant to my research problem or thesis statement.

I have used appropriate transitions  to clarify the connections between sections, paragraphs, and sentences.

My conclusion provides a concise answer to the research question or emphasizes how the thesis has been supported.

My conclusion shows how my research has contributed to knowledge or understanding of my topic.

My conclusion does not present any new points or information essential to my argument.

I have provided an in-text citation every time I refer to ideas or information from a source.

I have included a reference list at the end of my paper, consistently formatted according to a specific citation style .

I have thoroughly revised my paper and addressed any feedback from my professor or supervisor.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (page numbers, headers, spacing, etc.).

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Is checklist an effective tool for teaching research students? A survey-based study

Abdelrahman m makram.

1 School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK

2 Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Giza, Egypt

3 Online Research Club (http://www.onlineresearchclub.org), Nagasaki, Japan

4 School of Medicine, American University of the Caribbean, Cupecoy, Sint Maarten

Gladson Vaghela

5 GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar, Gujarat India

Nguyen Khoi Quan

6 College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Hanoi, 100000 Vietnam

Nguyen Tran Minh Duc

7 Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Atsuko Imoto

8 School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan

Kazuhiko Moji

9 School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan

Nguyen Tien Huy

Associated data.

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available because the sample size is not large enough to guarantee the full confidentiality of the participants. Furthermore, we have not obtained consent from the participants to share the raw material. However, the data can be provided by the corresponding author (Nguyen Tien Huy; [email protected]) upon reasonable request.

Students face hardships in determining what are the main points that need more studying in every subject. Checklists are one of the ways that can help students identify the most important pieces of information. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed at examining the impact of using educational checklists on the learning process of postgraduate students at Nagasaki University, Japan.

Thirty-one Master's students, who finished a “how to write a research protocol” course were recruited by sending them an invitation email that had an attached link to a previously developed and tested questionnaire on the SurveyMonkey® platform. After signing the electronic informed consent, twenty-two participants (response rate = 71%) finished the survey. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and expressed in the form of frequencies and percentages.

More than half of the students declared that they know the checklist will be used in the course that we investigated. Only two students used checklists as a means of studying (9%). Twelve students (55%) confirmed that no other courses or lessons in the School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH) use checklists. No students found the usage of checklists not easy or not practical to apply. Many students thought the length of the checklist was suitable and not too short (64%), although three students (14%) found it lengthy. Moreover, most students described the checklist as beyond good (86%) and they would recommend using a checklist for teaching other college students (73%).

Using checklists in education can facilitate the learning process, help in memorization, and deepen the concepts being studied. Further studies are required to examine the impact of checklists in teaching undergraduate students and students from other non-healthcare disciplines.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-022-03632-z.

Key messages

  • Educational checklists are tools to help cover all aspects of the taught material.
  • Educational checklists help in memorization and deepen the concepts being studied.
  • Educational checklists should be simple and to the point.

Introduction

Checklists provide transparency, organization, and reduction in the risk of human error [ 1 ]. They have been successfully implemented in many different processes specifically for these reasons. Surgeons utilize checklists for the health and safety of their parents, pilots for the protection of their planes and passengers, and most of us for simple “to-do” lists [ 2 ]. Educational checklists are specifically tailored toward academia, in that they are tools that set out specific criteria, which educators and students may use to gauge skill development or progress and to support the learning process [ 3 ]. In that sense, a checklist can be designed for each lecture or lesson to list of the main content the students should focus on.

Because various challenges arise when acquiring knowledge or skills that will help in real-life situations, educational checklists have been used in various settings all over the world for years. One study has shown that having a checklist to assess individual Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students’ performance in a group has proven to be a reliable and valid tool in the setting of small group sessions in a PharmD curriculum [ 4 ]. Another study proved that using a checklist represents a promising approach to improving the quality of care for pregnant women with opioid use disorders [ 5 ]. Moreover, Wilson and Onwuegbuzie proved that students’ performance and satisfaction improved with the use of structured checklists and scoring guides [ 2 ], which may be attributed to actively forgetting non-necessary information, which allows our brains to form and consolidate new memories [ 6 ]. In addition, increased stress and emotional distress, which are common in college students, can enhance the forgetfulness pathway [ 7 ]. However, the perception of educational checklists by students within the classroom has been rarely investigated, especially in the context of postgraduate studies.

Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the perception and opinions of students about the usage of a checklist in the development of research protocols. In finding the most tolerable and successful way to teach and assess students in this area, we can improve the completion and success of future research projects as well as improve the way we relay the basics of research to students.

Study setting and participants

The study was based on first-year Master of Tropical Medicine, Master of Public Health, and Master of Science students who had completed a “how to write a research protocol” online course, in March 2021 at Nagasaki University. This is the first time a checklist was used in the teaching of this course. The checklist was distributed electronically during the sessions as each lecture had its own checklist. The students were encouraged to use the checklists in the development of their theses’ protocols. During the examination, the students were also allowed to use the checklist. An example of a checklist used in class is presented in Supplementary Fig.  1 .

Study design

This is a cross-sectional, survey-based study conducted at Nagasaki University, Japan. The reporting of this study followed the Consensus-based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS) guidelines [ 8 ]. The checklist is provided in Supplementary Table 1 .

Questionnaire

The questionnaire was developed by our team, but it was self-administered in English using SurveyMonkey®. Participants were included in this study voluntarily by sending the survey link through an email after the declaration of their results. The questionnaire was available online for 14 days (from June 1 st to June 14 th , 2021) . The first page of the questionnaire consisted of the description of the study (including aims, benefits, and the implication of the study) and the informed consent.

The questionnaire is comprised of three sections. The first one included the socio-demographic details (age, gender, highest qualification, and information related to their use of the checklist). The second section included a detailed assessment to evaluate the effect of the checklist on the performance, engagement, and knowledge acquisition by the student. It included questions regarding the structure, benefits, and disadvantages of the checklist. The last section included their final opinion and any recommendations (Additional file 1 : Appendix 1).

Survey conduction

SurveyMonkey® platform was used to administer the survey, within which the informed consent was embedded. All participants were able to decline or withdraw from participation at any time before clicking the submission at the end of the survey. The survey was sent to School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH) Master first-year students via email with two reminders sent each week. Any concerns from participants were addressed by NTH.

Statistical analysis

All the collected data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The data were represented as actual frequencies and percentages.

Ethical considerations

Before sending the participants the enrollment emails, ethical approval was obtained on March 31, 2021, by the Ethical Committee (EC) of the School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health Ethical Committee, Nagasaki University, Japan. The approval number is NU_TMGH_2021_171_1 (Additional file 1 : Appendix 2). An electronic informed consent was obtained from each participant before the contribution to the study. They were assured that their participation in this study is completely voluntary and that they can disenroll from the study at any time. If any participants had any questions, they would have contacted the principal investigator (NTH) via email. Moreover, there was no incentive provided to the student for completing the survey.

Confidentiality was preserved by a series of steps conducted that included disabling IP address tracking, not collecting personal information that can lead to the identification of the participants (for example, we collected the age using age groups format, not the exact age), and the data collected was encrypted by SurveyMonkey® before the research team handled the analysis. Finally, the SurveyMonkey® account is only accessible by MDNT and NTH.

The survey was sent to 31 students with 22 students completing the entire survey: hence, the survey response rate of 71%. The demographics of all the students are presented in Table ​ Table1. 1 . Out of the 22 students, seven students (32%) were 18–30 years old, and fourteen students (64%) were older than 30 years, while only one student (5%) refused to provide their age. There were ten male students (45%) and twelve female students (55%). Lastly, there were three students (14%) enrolled in the Master of Tropical Medicine, fourteen students (64%) in the Master of Public Health, and five students (23%) in the Master of Science in Global Health and Medicine.

Baseline characteristics of the participants

Abbreviations : Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy degree), MTM (Master of Tropical Medicine), MPH (Master of Public Health), MSc (Master of Science in Global Health and Medicine)

The results of the survey are included in Table ​ Table2. 2 . Twelve participants (55%) declared that they knew that the course evaluation would depend on using a checklist that would be made available to everyone throughout the course, three did not know that (14%), six students (27%) stated that they could not recall, and one student (5%) did not respond to the question. Among the students, two (9%) usually used a checklist during their studies before attending TMGH, eight (36%) used a checklist intermittently, five (23%) rarely utilized a checklist, and seven (32%) never used a checklist, and no student reported always using a checklist before attending. Fifteen students (68%) found the checklist practical and easy to apply, while seven students (32%) noted they were not sure, and none of the students declared the checklist was impractical or not easy to apply. The length of the checklist was found to be suitable for its contents by fourteen students (64%), three (14%) found that it was too long, five (23%) stated that they were unsure, and no student thought it to be too short. Gaining a better understanding of the lesson with the aid of the checklist was reported by sixteen students (73%), and thirteen (59%) proclaimed there were no disadvantages to the checklist for their learning. The quality of teaching while using a checklist was found to be perfect by 2 students (9%), good by seventeen (77%), not good or bad by three (14%), and none of the students recorded that the quality was bad or awful. Utilizing a checklist for instructing college students was recommended by sixteen of the students (73%), and six (27%) said that maybe they would recommend this teaching style.

Participants’ responses to the survey

Abbreviations : TMGH (School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Japan)

Finally, only twenty students responded to the final opinion questions. In response to whether the checklist had all items listed, two students were “not sure”. One student stated that the “institution of the researcher [for which] the protocol [is to be submitted]” was missing, and another one wanted to include an item about “the issue that [the] student needs to [research] about”, which we anticipated to mean the knowledge gap. The rest thought that the checklist “covered all points”. As for their final opinions, one student stated that the “checklist is really helpful, but [they] think it will be better if there is certain explanation or instruction prior to [using] it”. Another one stated that “it is important to review the checklist at regular intervals”. A third one said agreed that a “checklist is a summary of a research so it’s important especially when making research plans”. A fourth specified that “the checklist is very practical to apply [in] both theoretical and field knowledge”. A fifth thought that a checklist is “the best way of teaching with this struggling time”, they probably meant during the COVID-19 pandemic, which coincided with the usage of the checklist. And a final one approved of the usage of a checklist as “a good tool”.

Our cross-sectional, quantitative, survey-based study was conducted at Nagasaki University, Japan in 2021. With this study, we aimed at investigating the students’ perception of using checklists in class and the necessity of having a checklist to aid learning. It was not surprising to discover that most students do not use checklists in their courses so often, as only two of them (9%) usually used them. Twelve students confirmed that no other courses or lessons in TMGH use checklists. However, no students found the usage of checklists not easy or not practical to apply, and many of them thought that the length of the checklist was suitable and not too short, although three students (14%) found it quite lengthy.

Both teaching and learning medical education content are challenging. A common standard is needed within the medical education system to aid in the improvement of both processes [ 9 , 10 ]. Checklists are widely used and have shown to be effective in various fields [ 4 , 5 ]. It is not only a valuable tool as perceived by medical students [ 11 ], but it also helps practitioners in dealing with complex situations and crises [ 12 ]. Researchers have also found that checklists can reduce morbidity and mortality in surgery [ 13 ] and increase the adherence of anesthesiologists to guidelines and non-technical skills in simulations of emergencies [ 14 ]. Checklists also allow for comprehensive, well-organized, and efficient assessment of the steps conducted in a certain process, which can foster process optimization and creativity [ 5 , 11 , 14 ]. Lastly, using a checklist can avoid missing critical steps in practice [ 14 ].

Health education relies largely upon passing knowledge from the instructor to the student. To properly train future healthcare workers and researchers, we must broaden our understanding of how to teach, notably, by including intentional instructional design in the way curriculum is carried out, as a component of clinical education [ 15 ]. Undoubtedly, checklists are among the best methods for instructional design studies and their protocols. As for demonstrating the necessity of a checklist, our study has shown four major fields students found improvement in as a direct result of its implementation. These areas were: understanding the lesson and curriculum knowledge, writing the protocol systematically and organizationally, studying for the final exam, and keeping focused and preventing unnecessary detours in the course information. Our results were like a study of De La Garza et al., which revealed that checklists also help increase students’ knowledge acquisition with E-learning [ 16 ]. More than one-third of our participants responded that the checklist helped them to not only save time remembering details but also facilitate communication between colleagues ( n  = 8, accounted for 36%). A total of seven students (32%) were able to concentrate better in class. Only one student found the checklist did not provide any significant advantages, which accounted for 5%. No students found the checklist was bad or awful. Most of them described the checklist as beyond good ( n  = 19; 86%) and they would recommend using a checklist for teaching other college students ( n  = 16; 73%).

Some limitations of checklists were also investigated. One common disadvantage was that the checklist was so lengthy that it confused students ( n  = 5; 23%). To a lesser extent, three students (14%) found the checklist was not thorough because of some missing information, and 3 others complained that the checklist has eliminated their need to ask for instructors’ help. In an educational environment, communication between students and teachers/instructors is a crucial part of learning but is often limited. Checklists can further degrade this relationship. We suggest that students use checklists as an organizational tool and a reference source and not for sole dependence on information to resolve this issue. That is because more than the half of students ( n  = 13, 59%) were satisfied with the checklist and didn’t find any disadvantages. We were also not objectively able to assess the efficacy of checklists on the educational progress of students as including the grades in the survey may have jeopardized the confidentiality and further decreased the participation rate. We were also not able to assess the usage of checklists qualitatively (through interviews) because of some ethical concerns raised by the Ethical Committee at the School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Nagasaki University. In addition, we have not examined the effect of a checklist on the educational attainment of undergraduate students. Conducting further studies with a bigger sample that includes other medical or research courses is essential to explore the true impact of using educational checklists and the true perception and opinion of students regarding them.

Despite the limitations, our pilot study revealed students have a positive perception of using checklists in class. In the range of our knowledge, our study was the first study in the field of using checklists in education, especially within an educational research setting. The results also suggested that using checklists can ameliorate overall education quality, help to keep students focused and improve their knowledge acquisition, and reduce time-consuming tasks, all the while facilitating communication. It is worth mentioning that a practitioner’s education should be multifaceted and not dependent upon one strategy, such as checklists alone. Furthermore, checklists should be used wisely and alongside other education strategies. For example, a checklist could be used as a supplement for the Rigorous section of the “10R’s of Clinician Education”, to attain maximum effect [ 15 ]. Although there might be some generalizability concerns about this study, we believe that this work will pave the way for further studies with better designs to investigate the pros and cons of using checklists within a classroom setting. This should include more qualitatively collected data to better reflect the opinion and comments of the students about the checklist itself and the general usage of checklists in the educational system. With the information provided in this paper and its supplementary material, the authors believe that the results of this study can be easily replicated in other institutions as we are aware that checklists are used in many education entities around the world. In laying this foundation, we hope to ultimately contribute to the improvement in the quality of the medical education system.

In this study, we aimed at exploring the benefits of using a checklist in research education. This was done by surveying 22 Master's students who attended a “how to write a research protocol” course at Nagasaki University, Japan. All students agreed that the usage of the checklist was not difficult or impractical. And most of them described the checklist as beyond good and recommended its use for teaching other college subjects. Finally, we see that using checklists in education can facilitate the learning process, help in memorization, and deepen the concepts being studied. Further studies are required to examine the impact of checklists in teaching undergraduate students and students from other non-healthcare disciplines.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants for undertaking this survey that can improve the education of future cohorts.

Abbreviations

Authors’ contributions.

NTH accounted for the idea. AMM, GV, JW, DNG, NQK, AI, KM, and NTH contributed to writing the study protocol, obtaining the Ethical Committee approval, and designing the questionnaire. NTMD developed the survey on the SurveyMonkey® platform. NTH, AI, and KM collected the data. GV, JW, and AMM analyzed the data and presented it in the form of tables and figures. GV, JW, DNG, NQK, and AMM wrote the manuscript. All authors revised and approved the final version of the manuscript. The steps of conducting this research were supervised by NTH.

No funding was received for the conduction of this study.

Availability of data and materials

Declarations.

This research project was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Thereof, ethical approval was obtained on the 14 th of May 2021, from the School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health Ethical Committee, Nagasaki University, Japan. The approval number is NU_TMGH_2021_171_1.

An electronic informed consent was obtained from each participant before the contribution to the study. They were assured that their participation in this study is completely voluntary and that they can disenroll from the study at any time by not submitting the survey.

Not applicable. No images, videos, or other multimedia content are included in this paper.

The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Julia Wang and Gladson Vaghela contributed equally to this work.

Contributor Information

Abdelrahman M Makram, Email: moc.liamtoh@markam-dba , Email: [email protected] .

Julia Wang, Email: ude.demcua.stneduts@htimsailuj .

Gladson Vaghela, Email: [email protected] .

Dhir Gala, Email: moc.liamg@alagrihd .

Nguyen Khoi Quan, Email: [email protected] .

Nguyen Tran Minh Duc, Email: moc.liamg@8921cudhnim .

Atsuko Imoto, Email: pj.ca.u-ikasagan@otomi .

Kazuhiko Moji, Email: pj.ca.u-ikasagan@k-ijom .

Nguyen Tien Huy, Email: pj.ca.u-ikasagan@yuhneit .

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checklist writing definition

Creating effective technical documentation

Author avatar

Effective feature documentation is important in enhancing a user's experience with the feature. Good documentation is like a piece of the puzzle that makes everything click — the key for encouraging feature adoption.

To support you in creating effective technical documentation, this article provides an overview of the core principles of technical writing. It also highlights the best practices for creating clear and accessible documentation. Applying these technical writing principles helps us maintain the high quality of content on MDN. Whether you're documenting your own project or product or contributing to technical content in various settings, you can improve the quality of your work by following these best practices.

Adopt clarity, conciseness, and consistency

These three Cs form the core principles of technical writing. They can take you a long way in producing quality documentation.

For achieving clarity in your writing, apply the following guidelines:

  • Use simple words and clear language. Keep in mind the audience, especially if it includes non-native English speakers.
  • Be clear about who needs to perform the action. Writing in active voice is not strictly required. However, you should use it when you want to be clear about who needs to perform the action. For example, clarify whether a function is triggered by an event or if the user needs to explicitly call the function.
  • Clearly introduce and explain new terms. This helps to lay the foundation for concepts that are covered later in the documentation.
Tip : Replace "it", "this", and "these" with proper nouns if they can refer to more than one thing in the given context.
  • Aim for one idea per sentence to improve readability.
  • Stick to one main idea per paragraph. Each sentence in a paragraph should logically connect to the one before it. Imagine if each sentence in a paragraph was a link in a chain. If you pick up the first link, the other links in the chain should follow, forming a continuous sequence. This is how the sentences should connect to each other, ensuring a seamless flow of a single idea.

Conciseness

Keep sentences short. This automatically increases the readability and clarity of your document. It also helps in quick comprehension. Long sentences can be more challenging to understand quickly due to their complex structures.

Tip : Based on common readability standards, aim for 15-20 words per sentence.

For additional insights on sentence length and readability strategies, see Simple sentences (on https://readabilityguidelines.co.uk ) and Popular readability formulas , including the Flesch-Kincaid index, on Wikipedia.

Consistency

Use the same terminology throughout your documentation to ensure a seamless reader experience. For example, if you start referring to "user agents" as browsers, stick with that term consistently. This avoids confusion that can arise from using words interchangeably, even when they share the same meaning.

Additionally, maintain consistent word casing and follow a uniform formatting style throughout your documentation. These practices not only enhance readability but also contribute to a professional presentation of your documentation.

Organize your content for maximum impact

Apply the same principles for organizing your content as you would for organizing your code: spend some time setting a clear goal and thinking about the desired structure for your documentation. Ensure that each subsection contributes to this goal incrementally.

Start with an introduction

In the introduction, first describe the feature you're documenting. Next, set the context by explaining why learning about the feature would be beneficial to the readers. This can include describing real-life scenarios where the feature can be useful. The more relevance you add to the topic, the easier it will be for readers to understand and engage with the content.

Progress logically

The following questions can help you ensure that your content is progressing logically:

  • Is your document structured to guide readers from foundational concepts to more advanced ones? Are there sections to introduce the " what " to establish a base before delving into the " why " and " how "? Consider whether the document structure mirrors the natural learning path for the topic. Aligning the document's structure with the natural progression of learning helps readers build their knowledge step-by-step and also enhances the overall learning experience.
  • Are there sufficient how-to guides or examples following the conceptual sections?
  • Consider the flow of the content. Is it following a logical sequence — from one sentence to the next, from one paragraph to the next, and from one section to the next? Does each section logically build on the information presented previously, avoiding abrupt jumps or gaps in the content?

Additionally, as you work on the draft, always ask yourself:

  • What reader questions am I addressing with this sentence?
  • Can I add a simplistic or real-life use case to explain this concept?

Include examples

Imagine sitting next to someone as you explain the concepts to them. Preempt their questions and address them in your writing. Use this approach to add as many relevant examples as possible.

When adding examples, don't restrict yourself to only code; include non-code scenarios to demonstrate a feature's utility. This helps readers understand the concepts better and also caters to different learning styles. Consider providing real-world scenarios or use cases to illustrate how the feature or concept applies in practical situations.

Optimize the document structure and length

Evaluate your documentation's structure to ensure it maintains a logical and balanced hierarchy.

  • Ensure that each section and subsection has a clear purpose and sufficient content.
  • Look for instances where a main section contains only one subsection (orphan), such as a single H3 section under an H2 section. This indicates that you need to reorganize your content or make some additions.
  • Check if there are lower-level headings such as H4 . Too many subsections can be overwhelming for readers, making it difficult for them to grasp the information. In such cases, consider presenting the content as a bulleted list instead to help readers retain the key points more effectively. This approach helps to simplify the hierarchy and also contributes to easier navigation.
  • While there should be sufficient content for each section, pay attention to the overall length. If any section becomes too extensive, it can be overwhelming for readers. Split large sections into multiple logical subsections or restructure the content into new sections and subsections. Grouping content into digestible pieces helps maintain focus and improve navigation for readers.

Proofread your writing

One aspect that cannot be stressed enough is the importance of self-reviewing and proofreading what you've written. Whether you're creating a large document or a short paragraph, this step is crucial.

Taking the time to fully review your work will help you identify sections that don't flow well or can be improved for clarity. During self-review, aim to spot and remove redundancy (repetition of ideas without adding value) and repetitiveness (overuse of words or phrases). These refinements will ensure your documentation is clear and coherent and conveys your ideas as intended.

Proofread and then take a break before you review again. Only then submit your work. While spell checkers can flag spelling errors, they might not flag incorrect use of words, such as an unintended use of "he" instead of "the". It's best to take a break and return with fresh eyes to catch any errors you might have missed. Pay close attention to identify inconsistencies in tone, style, tense, or formatting and make the necessary adjustments.

Additional tips

To improve the clarity and accessibility of your documentation, also keep the following guidelines and tips in mind. To go in-depth into any of the topics, feel free to consult our Writing style guide .

  • Bulleted vs numbered lists : Lists, in general, make documentation easier to scan. Use bulleted lists when there is no specific order of the items. Use numbered lists when the steps need to be followed in the specific order. Always include a lead-sentence before beginning a list to provide context.
  • Commas : Use a comma after an introductory clause to improve readability and to clarify the sentence structure. Use a comma to separate items in a list to ensure clarity.
  • Alt text : Always provide an alternative text for the images you add to content. This makes your documentation accessible to people using screen readers. In addition to images, ensure that video and audio files have accompanying descriptive texts.
  • Descriptive link text : Make sure each link text is clear even out of context and clearly indicates where the link leads. Descriptive link texts also help people using screen readers understand the destination of links. For example, use "Read our writing style guide to learn more" instead of "Click here to learn more".
  • Inclusive language : Make your documentation welcoming to everyone. Strive to use words that respect and acknowledge the diversity of your audience.

That's it for this article. I hope you found these tips helpful as a quick refresher on technical writing best practices. Remember that learning how to create effective and easy-to-use documentation is an ongoing process. It starts with understanding your audience and the goals of your documentation. By applying these technical writing principles and tips, you'll certainly be able to enhance the clarity and overall quality of your documentation.

Let me know if you learned something new or if there's any idea that resonated with you. I'd also like to hear if there are any best practices you use in your technical documentation workflow. Share with us on Mastodon or Discord .

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5 Self-Editing Tips to Strengthen Your Writing

Matt Ellis

Self-editing is when you improve your writing by correcting mistakes, revising structure, and honing word choice. Ideally, you’d have a professional editor to handle these areas, but most of us are on our own! 

Editing is crucial to the writing process . If you try to make your first draft perfect, keeping track of everything will distract you and some good ideas might fall through the cracks. This harkens back to what sci-fi author C.J. Cherryh once said: 

“It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly.” 

Write your best, whatever you're writing. Grammarly can help. Try Grammarly

Like writing, editing is an independent skill with its own methods and career paths. We have a more in-depth guide on how to edit any type of writing , which covers the different styles of editing and advanced techniques, but what if you need to efficiently edit something you wrote, such as a school paper, cover letter, or email? 

Let’s break down the process of self- editing, which is to say, how to edit your own writing if you’re not an editor. First, we’ll cover a broad checklist of problematic areas to look for when reading your first draft, and then we’ll share some expert tips on self-editing. 

Self-editing checklist: What to look for

Once you’re finished with your rough draft , the real self-editing begins. When reading over your work, there’s a lot to keep in mind all at once, so we’ve compiled a useful checklist of areas to look out for. 

Spelling and grammar

What’s the difference between editing and proofreading? In a nutshell, proofreading only covers fixing typographical mistakes, whereas editing entails all corrections, including spelling and grammar , but also word choice, clarity, structure, format, tone, and more. 

Since proofreading is a part of editing, keep an eye out for technical mistakes during this stage. Specifically, watch out for incorrect verb forms and subject-verb agreement , two of the most common writing mistakes. 

To make things easier, the Grammarly writing assistant can find all your spelling and grammar mistakes for you, not to mention other perks like helping with word choice and clarity. With Grammarly checking for technical mistakes, you’re free to focus on the meatier aspects of writing. 

Unnecessary words

If there’s one rule to self-editing, it’s this: Remove unnecessary words . 

Good writing uses only what’s necessary and nothing else. That doesn’t mean avoiding details, but rather explaining the details as succinctly as possible. For more help, read our guide on how to be less wasteful in your writing . 

Aside from cutting off-topic paragraphs and tangents, this mainly involves reducing redundancies. For example:

He blinked his eyes twice in disbelief. 

The words “his eyes” are redundant because you can’t blink without eyes. When self-editing, you would change this to:

He blinked twice in disbelief. 

Another common redundancy is “ in order to .” This phrase is often unnecessary, so watch out for it when self-editing. 

She trained every day in order to set the world record. 

She trained every day to set the world record. 

In order to pass the test, he needed to score 80 or higher. 

To pass the test, he needed to score 80 or higher. 

Redundancies also often appear as adjectives and descriptions. For example, there’s no need to say a “tall skyscraper,” as skyscrapers are always tall. 

>>Read More: What Are Filler Words, and How Do You Cut Them?

Above all, your writing should be clear. Communication is about getting your message across; it doesn’t matter how poetic your language is if no one knows what you’re talking about. Try to look at your writing from the perspective of the reader, someone who doesn’t know as much about the topic as you do. Would they be able to understand? 

Fancy words

Fancy words might discombobulate your reader, but simple words won’t confuse them. Big words can distract your readers, so smart writers save them only for when they’re absolutely necessary. If you can, use a small and simple word that’s easy to understand. In the words of Winston Churchill, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, “Short words are best, and old words when short are best of all.”

Passive voice

As the name suggests, the passive voice comes across as weak or timid. The active voice makes for much better writing, not just because it sounds confident, but because the subject comes at the beginning, making the sentence easier to understand. 

Passive: The moon was jumped over by the cow.

Active: The cow jumped over the moon.

Always watch out for the passive voice when self-editing. It’s not hard to switch around a few words and turn the sentence into an active one. 

Repeated words

There are lots of words in English, so don’t reuse the same ones over and over. Try to vary your word choice, and use a thesaurus if necessary. If you’re writing about a topic that involves a particular word, find a synonym and alternate them—no need to think up a new name for it every time. 

Long sentences

Long sentences can muddle your meaning, even when they’re grammatically correct. If you find a long sentence when self-editing, consider breaking it in two for the sake of your reader. 

Phrases that can be replaced by one or two words

Knowing that good writing uses as few words as possible, look for clunky, wordy phrases that could be replaced by one or two words. 

After thinking all night, she finally made a choice. 

After thinking all night, she finally chose. 

The horse ran in the direction of the house. 

The horse ran toward the house. 

Sentences and paragraphs starting the same way

If you’re writing about a particular topic, especially for school papers, it’s tempting to start every sentence with that topic as the subject. While this may be technically correct, it leads to writing that’s bland and hard to read. 

Use a variety of sentence openings to keep your writing interesting. Try changing the subject every now and then—although, avoid the passive voice—and don’t be afraid of conjunctive adverbs like however , although , and moreover .

Sentence structure variety

It’s not just the words themselves that need variety, but also the shape of your sentences. Using the same sentence formats one after another can get daunting for the readers. Vary the length and style of your sentences to keep things interesting. 

Consistent verb tense

It’s best to maintain the same verb tense throughout your entire piece of writing. But sometimes, especially with nonfiction, writers get so caught up writing that they accidentally switch tenses. Decide which tense to use at the start of self-editing and make sure each active verb follows along. 

Consistent tone

Likewise, make sure your tone stays consistent throughout your writing. It’s jarring to readers if you start out formally and then later crack jokes. Choose the appropriate tone for your piece before self-editing and revise your draft to match. 

>>Read More: Our Tone Suggestions Help You Tailor Your Tone to Your Reader

“Very” and “really”

In the context of needless words, “very” and “really” are really very bad. It’s OK to use them occasionally when they really make an impact, but in most instances, you can replace or delete them. Try using a more precise word to replace the whole phrase. For example, instead of saying “very interesting,” use “fascinating.” 

By definition, clichés are overused. It’s clear what you mean when you say, “avoid it like the plague,” but clichés like that do nothing to inspire or excite the reader. Clichés may come naturally during the first draft, so self-editing is the time to replace them with fresher, more original phrasing. 

Parallelism

Parallelism is using the same grammatical structure for a series of related phrases or clauses. So if you’re making a list, be sure to use the same format for each item. 

In the mornings, my routine is to eat breakfast, exercising, and meditation. 

[ incorrect – infinitive, gerund, and noun.]

In the mornings, my routine is eating breakfast, exercising, and meditating. 

In the mornings, my routine is to eat breakfast, exercise, and meditate. 

In the mornings, my routine is breakfast, workout, and meditation. 

[all correct]

One of our writing habits to avoid is jargon, or words that only people in a particular field or industry would understand (you might not know what a ginzel is, but oil rig workers do). Always be mindful of your reader, and if you find a jargon word that regular readers wouldn’t understand, explain it. 

Hedging is language that seems uncertain or iffy, like saying “I think maybe we should go,” instead of “let’s leave.” Like the passive voice, hedging undermines your writing, so try to remove it when self-editing. 

Last, double-check that the formatting of your document is correct. Assignments may have criteria you’re not used to, like using the controversial Oxford comma , so double-check that you haven’t forgotten them during your first draft. 

If you’re completing an academic writing assignment, you’ll also want to ensure that you’re following the general formatting rules: no double spaces, proper indentations, appropriate font and text size, etc. Pay particular attention to citations and quotations—MLA, APA, and Chicago styles have different rules for citations, so check which one the assignment calls for beforehand. 

How to edit your own writing: 5 self-editing tips

1 stephen king’s ten percent rule.

Who better to give advice on self-editing than one of the best-selling authors of all time!? In his book On Writing , Stephen King explains what he calls the “ten percent rule.” Essentially, the author recommends deleting ten percent of your first draft when self-editing. So if your rough draft is 1,000 words, cut 100 of them. 

This loose rule echoes what we said above about unnecessary words. Good writing uses only the words that are necessary, so cutting ten percent of your first draft works to that end. You don’t always have to delete the parts you like; rather, look for redundancies and word clusters that can be replaced with fewer words. 

2 Remember your audience

You should always tailor your writing to your reader—writing an assignment for a teacher requires different language than writing a funny essay for friends. When self-editing, ask yourself questions: 

  • What would my reader think of this part?
  • Will my reader understand this? 
  • Which phrasing would my reader prefer? 

It helps to think about a person you know well as a stand-in for your general audience (as long as they match). If you don’t have anyone specific in mind, make up an imaginary person to represent your average reader. 

3 Read it out loud

Many writers read their first draft out loud to get a new perspective on it. Reading it out loud triggers different areas of your brain than reading quietly, so it can provide some new insights. It also helps with clarity: Certain phrases don’t make as much sense out loud as in your head. 

4 Sleep on it

Writing a rough draft is intense, so you need some time to cool off before self-editing. It’s best to get a good night’s sleep and then revise with a fresh start. If you don’t have time for that, at least take a small break—do something fun to unwind and come back to it when you’re refreshed. 

5 Use editing resources

If all these self-editing guidelines seem overwhelming, there’s some good news: You don’t have to do it alone. There are plenty of editing resources to ease your burden. For one, Grammarly offers writing suggestions on both grammar and spelling while you write so you never miss a mistake . 

Grammarly Premium offers even more self-editing assistance, with features that point out redundancies, hedging, inconsistencies in tone, and even plagiarism. It also suggests better, stronger word choice and highlights areas for revisions—just like a real editor! Try it and turn your self-editing into a team effort.

This article was originally written in 2020 by Jessica Focht. It’s been updated to include new information.

checklist writing definition

How Do You Edit an Essay?

Correct errors and clear up clutter to polish your prose

  • An Introduction to Punctuation
  • Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
  • M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
  • B.A., English, State University of New York

Editing is a stage of the writing process in which a writer or editor strives to improve a draft by correcting errors and making words and sentences clearer, more precise, and as effective as possible. The process of editing involves adding, deleting, and rearranging words to cut the clutter and streamline overall structure.

The Importance of Editing

Whether you're working toward completing an assignment or hoping to get something published, tightening your writing and fixing mistakes can actually be a remarkably creative activity. Thoughtful revision of a work can lead to clarification of ideas, a reimagining of images , and sometimes, even a radical rethinking of the way you've approached your topic .

The Two Types of Editing

"There are two types of editing: the ongoing edit and the draft edit. Most of us edit as we write and write as we edit, and it's impossible to slice cleanly between the two. You're writing, you change a word in a sentence, write three sentences more, then back up a clause to change that semicolon to a dash; or you edit a sentence and a new idea suddenly spins out from a word change, so you write a new paragraph where until that moment nothing else was needed. That is the ongoing edit...
"For the draft edit, you stop writing, gather a number of pages together, read them, make notes on what works and doesn't, then rewrite. It is only in the draft edit that you gain a sense of the whole and view your work as a detached professional. It is the draft edit that makes us uneasy, and that arguably matters most." —From "The Artful Edit: The Practice of Editing Yourself" by Susan Bell

Editing Checkpoints

"The final step for the writer is to go back and clean up the rough edges... Here are some checkpoints: Facts: Make sure that what you've written is what happened; Spelling: Check and recheck names, titles, words with unusual spellings, your most frequently misspelled words, and everything else. Use a spell check but keep training your eye; Numbers: Recheck the digits, especially phone numbers. Check other numbers, make sure all math is correct, give thought to whether numbers (crowd estimates, salaries, etc.) seem logical; Grammar: Subjects and verbs must agree, pronouns need correct antecedents, modifiers must not dangle (make your English teacher proud); Style: When it comes to repairing your story, leave the copy desk feeling like the washing machine repair guy who has nothing to do." —From "The Effective Editor" by F. Davis

Editing in Class

"A large portion of everyday editing instruction can take place in the first few minutes of class... Starting every class period with invitations to notice, combine, imitate, or celebrate is an easy way to make sure editing and writing are done every day. I want to communicate with my instruction that editing is shaping and creating writing as much as it is something that refines and polishes it... I want to step away from all the energy spent on separating editing from the writing process, shoved off at the end of it all or forgotten about altogether." —From "Everyday Editing" by Jeff Anderson

Tinkering: The Essence of Writing Well

"Rewriting is the essence of writing well: it's where the game is won or lost... Most writers don't initially say what they want to say, or say it as well as they could. The newly hatched sentence almost always has something wrong with it. It's not clear. It's not logical. It's verbose. It's klunky. It's pretentious. It's boring. It's full of clutter. It's full of cliches. It lacks rhythm . It can be read in several different ways. It doesn't lead out of the previous sentence. It doesn't... The point is that clear writing is the result of a lot of tinkering." —From "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser

The Lighter Side of Editing

"I hate cross-outs. If I'm writing and I accidentally begin a word with the wrong letter, I actually use a word that does begin with that letter so I don't have to cross out. Hence the famous closing, 'Dye-dye for now.' A lot of my letters make no sense, but they are often very neat." —From "There's Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say" by Paula Poundstone
  • Bell, Susan. "The Artful Edit: On the Practice of Editing Yourself." W.W. Norton, 2007
  • Davis, F. "The Effective Editor." Poynter, 2000
  • Anderson, Jeff. " Everyday Editing ." Stenhouse, 2007
  • Zinsser, William. "On Writing Well." Harper, 2006
  • Poundstone, Paula. "There's Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say." Three Rivers Press, 2006
  • revision (composition)
  • Explore and Evaluate Your Writing Process
  • The Drafting Stage of the Writing Process
  • The Basic Characteristics of Effective Writing
  • The Whys and How-tos for Group Writing in All Content Areas
  • Outlines for Every Type of Writing Composition
  • Editing and Proofreading Marks in Composition
  • Overview of Baroque Style in English Prose and Poetry
  • Definition and Examples of Correctness in Language
  • 5 Ways to Cut the Clutter in Writing
  • When and How to Use Strikethrough
  • Should You Write Your Own Recommendation Letter for Graduate School?
  • An Essay Revision Checklist
  • sentence fragment
  • The Advantages and Disadvantages of Spell Checkers
  • What Is a Dangling Modifier?

OakWords

A How-to blog for Writers

what are conventions in writing

11+ Writing Conventions: Checklist for Students and Writers

Learn conventions of writing definition , and review important writing conventions college students and young writers should follow.

Putting ideas on paper does not seem that complicated. However, the expression of thoughts has to be done in a certain way which might seem a bit difficult. Therefore, rules and conventions are used to improve your essay’s readability. 

If you are new to writing conventions, go through this blog carefully to learn about common English writing standards and why understanding them is necessary. Especially if you are a student or a young writer, you will likely come across this term in your essay assignments. 

What Are Conventions in Writing?

Writing conventions are linguistic rules that make a write-up easier for readers to comprehend. These conventions are the components that can assist you in making your work understandable and clear.

Conventions in writing provide the framework on which readers can perceive the message. Unfortunately, writing conventions may not be strictly enforced by teachers in middle school, although this changes as students upgrade. 

Importance of Writing Conventions  

Imagine reading a text with no proper punctuation, incorrect grammar and spelling. Oh, what a nightmare! All these conventions help the readers understand the text better and establish proper communication. Writing conventions include advantages like:

  • Ensuring that readers grasp a text’s intended meaning
  • Completing assignments in a learning environment especially higher education. 
  • Strengthening college and job applications, and carrying out professional writing-related tasks

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11 Most Common Conventions in Writing

Conventions in writing are guidelines that authors abide by to make their writing meaningful and understandable. These regulations are frequently covered in class but also included in test preparation courses. Even professional writers can benefit from brushing up on these writing conventions. 

1. Spelling 

A text filled with spelling errors makes English writing difficult to understand. To write efficiently, you must be able to spell correctly. Words are spelled according to their dictionary definitions to make it easier for readers to understand.

In cases where there are differences in spelling between British and American English , a writer should choose one version of English and stick to it throughout the entire text for consistency. 

2. Grammar (Important Writing Conventions)

Grammar refers to the study of how to construct sentences and paragraphs that make sense, including sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, tenses, and other elements. Most people learn the fundamentals of English grammar in middle and high school.

Still, they continue to be important writing standards to convey the intended meaning of your written works. As a writer, you must have clarity on different parts of speech –

Here are some common grammar rules to follow:

  • Always write complete sentences
  • Suitable subject/verb and pronoun/antecedent agreement
  • Avoid passive voice and make use of active voice
  • Avoid writing long sentences
  • Understand parts of speech and use them in the right manner
  • Use the right article to describe a noun

3. Punctuation 

Correct grammar requires understanding all punctuation symbols, including periods, commas, question marks, semicolons, quotation marks, and exclamation points. Moreover, you should know where parentheses, dashes, and ellipses belong and how to apply them correctly. Given that it is essential to the meaning of sentences, this is one of the fundamental writing conventions.

Ex: Thank you for your donation. It helped someone. Get a job! 

This above sentence is an example of using wrong punctuation marks in inappropriate places. 

4. Capitalization

Capitalization indicates that a new phrase begins when a word has a proper name or title. It is easier to memorize long words when they are shortened with capital letters and condensed into short forms. Common capitalization rules are:

  • Capitalize the first word at the beginning of every new sentence
  • Capitalize acronyms
  • Capitalize proper nouns
  • Capitalize days, months and holidays 
  • Capitalize periods and major world events 

5. Subject Verb Agreement:

Young writers often make subject-verb agreement errors. Here’s a simple Subject – Verb Agreement  Rule to follow: If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular too. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. Check out this detailed infographic on 7 rules of subject-verb agreement:

6. Paragraphs

Your professors expect you to develop thoughtful, multifaceted arguments using effective paragraphs. In academic writing, paragraphs are essential for creating structure, as they separate points and demonstrate how they connect to form the argument.

Paragraphs help you convey sequences of ideas and how they relate to one another. A clear structure for your paragraphs helps guide the reader through your writing.

7. Cohesion and Coherence

When a text is coherent, the ideas are logically arranged and make sense to the reader. Cohesion binds the elements of a text together (e.g., words, phrases, clauses, and sentences).

A text reads smoothly when it conveys a well-organised argument or analysis. Therefore, make sure you focus first on your ideas and crafting an ambitious analysis. Try to get your thoughts down on paper first and then refine your analysis by revising for coherence and cohesion.

Conventions in Writing for Specific Genres

8. formal writing conventions .

Academic writing comes along with its own set of guidelines for formal text. While teachers and writing style standards establish these, some common rules are given below:

  • Avoid slang
  • Avoid nicknames
  • Don’t use contractions
  • Follow the style guide for the particular setting

9. Letter Writing Conventions 

Read some letters to understand the standard writing style of a letter. Some of the basic writing conventions are,

  • Letters will have an address, date and greeting in the top left-hand corner. 
  • Letters are written in paragraphs. 
  • They usually end with a sign-off like “Yours Sincerely” or “Yours Truly.”

10. Script Writing Conventions 

Script writing involves certain conventions that make it different from other forms of writing. It consists of a plot, dialogues, sequence of actions, conflict and climax. Scriptwriters usually follow this formatting style 

11. Persuasive Writing Conventions 

The objective of persuasive texts is to persuade the reader to agree with the author’s point of view. Having a clear point of view in the introduction and conclusion is the best approach in this case. The writing will also include emotive language and rhetorical questions, along with facts and data. It is common in personal essays, journalism, and self-help.

12. Narrative Writing Conventions

A narrative is a book or short story with dialogue and characters. You will write this in a pattern that includes an introduction, climax, resolution, and ending. You can learn more about how to write a short story here.

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Writing Conventions Checklist 

The best strategy to become a skilled writer is to plan and get started early. While elementary students need to be aware of some fundamental writing guidelines, it’s essential to have a firm understanding of these writing patterns for higher education.

A final convention checklist is crucial for determining whether your work is of great quality or needs work. This checklist should include the following items:

  • Are your sentences whole and meaningful?
  • Is there any run-on sentence(s)?
  • Are the punctuation marks used correctly?
  • Is there any subject-verb agreement?
  • Are you using the verb tense consistently throughout?
  • Are capitalization and paragraphs in the right place? 
  • Are the suitable articles placed rightly before nouns? Etc. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Definition of Conventions in writing: Writing conventions are language rules that make your text readable.
  • Common conventions in writing that writers must follow are spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization. 
  • Writing conventions for specific genres such as script writing, narrative writing, persuasive writing and letter writing.
  • Go through a final checklist of conventions in writing. 

FAQs on Writing Conventions

What is writing conventions examples.

Writing conventions are accepted guidelines used to make writing more understandable and clear. Capitalization, punctuation, and spelling are a few basic examples.

What are conventions in academic writing?

Academic writing is a formal style of writing. Some basic rules include avoiding slang, appropriate use of headings, spelling out acronyms properly, abstaining from using contractions and so on. 

What are the five conventions?

The five components that make up the conventions trait are spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar/usage, and paragraphing. 

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  1. Checklist Definition & Meaning

    noun check· list ˈchek-ˌlist Synonyms of checklist : a list of things to be checked or done a pilot's checklist before takeoff also : a comprehensive list Synonyms canon catalog catalogue list listing menu register registry roll roll call roster schedule table See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus Examples of checklist in a Sentence

  2. Checklist

    Download Now Checklist Definition & Meaning A checklist is a document that enumerates items or tasks to be accomplished. Checklists are one of the most common, versatile, and widely-used forms. What Is a Checklist? The content of a checklist can vary depending on the type or objective of the checklist.

  3. PDF The Use of a Checklist and Qualitative Notebooks for an ...

    To evidence the developmental, interactive process of the Checklist as an integral writing component for rigorous qualitative research and to evidence the interac-tive process of the instructor and student(s) through the Checklist and the Qualitative Notebook(s), we present following sections: (a) Theoretical Framework; (b) Methodo-logical Frame...

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  7. CHECKLIST

    us / ˈtʃek·lɪst / Add to word list a list of things that you must remember to do or consider doing: We went over the checklist of things we had to do before leaving for South Africa. (Definition of checklist from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

  8. Checklists: Definition, Types & Best Practices For 2022

    Checklists are lists of items marked off, such as requirements, things to do, or things to be remembered. The lists spur people to complete their tasks and to ensure that nothing gets misplaced along the way. There are many different checklists, but they all have the same purpose. Difference Between a Checklist and How-To Guide

  9. Academic Writing Checklists ~ Definition & Tips

    Statement of purpose academic writing checklists. Aligns with the prompt. Highlights my background. Shows my relevant experience. Shows my key achievements. Shows the correlation between my previous experience and plans. Centres around one idea. Shows the aspects of the facility that impressed me. Demonstrates specific aspects of the program ...

  10. CHECKLIST

    us / ˈtʃek·lɪst / Add to word list a list of things that you must remember to do or consider doing: We went over the checklist of things we had to do before leaving for South Africa. (Definition of checklist from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

  11. CHECKLIST definition in American English

    (tʃɛklɪst ) Word forms: checklists plural countable noun A checklist is a list of all the things that you need to do, information that you want to find out, or things that you need to take somewhere, which you make in order to ensure that you do not forget anything. Make a checklist of the tools and materials you will need.

  12. Checklists: What is a checklist and how to use it?

    Checklists, Control Lists or Verification Lists are formats designed to perform repetitive activities, to verify a list of requirements or to collect data in an orderly and systematic manner. They are used to make systematic checks of activities or products ensuring that the worker or inspector does not forget anything important. The main uses ...

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    Mix it up! Check for complete sentences: Starting from the last sentence in your paper, read it backwards, one sentence at a time. This helps you focus on a single sentence. Double-underline the subject and underline the verb for each independent clause. Make sure each subject has a verb.

  14. Checklist: Academic writing

    Checklist: Academic writing. 0 / 15. I avoid informal terms and contractions. I avoid second-person pronouns ("you"). I avoid emotive or exaggerated language. I avoid redundant words and phrases. I avoid unnecessary jargon and define terms where needed. I present information as precisely and accurately as possible.

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    In business writing, technical writing, and other forms of composition , instructions are written or spoken directions for carrying out a procedure or performing a task. It is also called instructive writing . Step-by-step instructions typically use the second-person point of view ( you, your, yours ). Instructions are usually conveyed in the ...

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  17. Checklist: Writing a Great Research Paper

    Checklist: Writing a Great Research Paper. Published on October 16, 2022 by Shona McCombes.Revised on November 29, 2022. A research paper is an extended piece of writing based on in-depth independent research. It may involve conducting empirical research or analyzing primary and secondary sources.. Writing a good research paper requires you to demonstrate a strong knowledge of your topic and ...

  18. Revising

    Revision is the process of reviewing, refining, and improving written compositions. It is a crucial step in the writing process that helps students develop their writing skills and produce more polished and effective pieces of work. Revision goes beyond simply correcting spelling and grammar; it involves rethinking and reworking the content ...

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    Checklists are one of the ways that can help students identify the most important pieces of information. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed at examining the impact of using educational checklists on the learning process of postgraduate students at Nagasaki University, Japan. Methods

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    Write with Grammarly What is editing? Editing is the process of reviewing writing to ensure that it communicates its point clearly and as intended, and that it is free of errors. Simply put, editing means making sure that you've said what you mean, neatly and cleanly.

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    Self-editing checklist: What to look for Once you're finished with your rough draft, the real self-editing begins. When reading over your work, there's a lot to keep in mind all at once, so we've compiled a useful checklist of areas to look out for. Spelling and grammar What's the difference between editing and proofreading?

  23. Editing

    Editing is a stage of the writing process in which a writer or editor strives to improve a draft by correcting errors and making words and sentences clearer, more precise, and as effective as possible. The process of editing involves adding, deleting, and rearranging words to cut the clutter and streamline overall structure.

  24. 11+ Writing Conventions: Examples & Checklist for Writers

    Common conventions in writing that writers must follow are spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Writing conventions for specific genres such as script writing, narrative writing, persuasive writing and letter writing. Go through a final checklist of conventions in writing.

  25. What records are exempted from FERPA?

    What records are exempted from FERPA? Records which are kept in the sole possession of the maker of the records, are used only as a personal memory aid, and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the records. Records of the law enforcement unit of an educational agency or institution.