Pre-Submission Checklist — 30 Points to Polish Your Paper

Run every paper through this 30-point checklist before submitting. Each catch saves rubric points.

Content (8 points)

  • Thesis is explicit and in the introduction
  • Each body paragraph supports thesis
  • Counterargument is steel-manned
  • Conclusion ties back to introduction
  • No filler / repetition
  • Evidence supports every claim
  • Quotes are integrated, not dropped
  • Word count meets requirement (±10%)

Citations (8 points)

  • Style matches rubric (APA/MLA/Chicago)
  • Every source cited in-text appears in references
  • References are alphabetized
  • Hanging indent applied
  • DOIs hyperlinked
  • Direct quotes have page numbers
  • AI tools disclosed if used
  • URLs are live and current

Formatting (8 points)

  • Margins 1 inch
  • Double-spaced
  • Font: 12pt Times New Roman or 11pt Calibri
  • Page numbers in correct location
  • Title page (if required) follows style
  • Headings use proper levels
  • Tables/figures captioned + cited
  • File saved as .docx or .pdf as required

Proofreading (6 points)

  • Read aloud once
  • Spell-check run twice
  • Grammar check (Grammarly or similar)
  • Plagiarism check (Turnitin)
  • Peer review by one other person
  • Filename follows submission convention

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this checklist take?

First time: 45-60 minutes. Once practiced: 20-25 minutes per paper.