Self-Editing Worksheet (Argumentative Essays)

Format
My essay is correctly formatted (title centered, first line of every paragraph is indented,
margins on both sides, double-spaced). YES / NO

Mechanics
I have checked for punctuation, capitalization, and spelling errors. YES / NO

Content and Organization

My essay has all three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. YES / NO
I used block or point-by-point organization. (Underline one.)
Introduction: Type of introduction I used (funnel, historical background, surprising
statistics, dramatic story, etc.):
_______________________________________
The introduction ends with my thesis statement.
Body: The body has __________________ paragraphs.
I give ____________________ arguments for my point of view and
__________________ arguments for the opposing point of view.
I rebut each opposing argument.
I support each point with a specific supporting detail such as an example, a
statistic, a quotation, a paraphrase, or a summary.
I cite the source of all borrowed information.
Unity: Each paragraph discusses only one main idea, and there are no sentences that
are “off the topic”.
Coherence: Each paragraph has coherence. My essay flows smoothly from beginning
to end.
Conclusion: The conclusion (a) summarizes my arguments or (b) restates my opinion.
(Circle one.) I add a final comment or thought on the topic to leave a
final impression on the reader.

Argumentative Writing – Editing Worksheet

 Peer-Editing Worksheet (Argumentative Essays)
1. Analyze how the writer organizes his or her essay.
a. Copy the thesis sentence here. Does it state the writer’s opinion clearly?
_____________________________________________________________________
b. Does the essay use block or point-by-point organization?
_____________________________________________________________________
2. List the writer’s arguments:
a. ____________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________________
(Add more lines if necessary)
3. List the opposing arguments and counterarguments:
a. ____________________________________________________________________
Counterargument: _____________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________
Counterargument: _____________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________________
Counterargument: _____________________________________________________
4. What is the writer’s strongest and most convincing argument or counterargument?
________________________________________________________________________
How does he or she support it? ______________________________________________
Is any argument or counterargument weak and unconvincing? YES / NO
Why is it weak? __________________________________________________________
Discuss with the writer possible ways to strengthen it.
5. Do you understand everything?
Circle or underline any part that you do not understand, and write a comment about it.
6. What kind of supporting details does the writer use (statistics, examples, quotation,
paraphrases, summaries, etc.)?
________________________________________________________________________
7. How does the writer name the source of each piece of borrowed supporting information;
that is, what phrases or verbs does the writer use to name the sources? Write them here.
________________________________________________________________________
8. Is this a convincing argumentative essay? In other words, does the writer persuade you
that his or her opinion is the right one? YES / NO

Argumentative Writing – Editing Worksheet