I.  Introduction

1.  Is my introduction concise?                                                                                      Yes __ No __
2.  Does it contain a clear statement of my main thesis?                                                Yes __ No __
3.  Does it indicate very briefly my main line of argument?                                          Yes __ No __
4.  Does it explain the overall structure of my essay?                                                    Yes __ No __

II.  Logical and Perspicuous Structure

1.  Is my essay organized into sections in a logical fashion?                                         Yes __ No __
2.  Have I made the overall structure of my essay clear by using informative
headings for sections?                                                                                                   Yes __ No __

III.  Offering of Reasons

1.  Have I set out an argument (or at most two arguments) to provide reasons
for thinking that my thesis is true?                                                                                 Yes __ No __
2.  Have I made all of my premises clear and explicit?                                                  Yes __ No __
3.  Have I developed my argument in a full and detailed way, so that all of my
reasoning is clear to the reader?                                                                                     Yes __ No __

IV.  Consideration of Objections to my Arguments

1.  Have I carefully set out the most important objection to each of my arguments?      Yes __ No __
2.  Have I then responded, in a careful way, to that objection (or objections)?              Yes __ No __

V.  Consideration of Objections to my Thesis

1.  Have I considered the most important objection against the thesis that
I am defending?                                                                                                             Yes __ No __
2.  Have I responded carefully to that objection?                                                           Yes __ No __

VI.  Setting Out Arguments, Objections, and Responses

1.  Is every argument, every objection, and every response that  I set out always
contained in a separate paragraph?                                                                                Yes __ No __
2.  Is every objection that I consider always followed immediately, in a separate
paragraph, by a response?                                                                                             Yes __ No __

VII.  Dispassionate and Unemotional Discussion

1.  Have I made use of emotionally charged language?                                                Yes __ No __
2.  Is my discussion dispassionate and fair throughout?                                                Yes __ No __

VIII.  Overall Clarity and Conciseness

1.  Is my writing clear and straightforward, and concise?                                             Yes __ No __