This document provides a checklist for students to use when writing an essay. It outlines key things to check such as formatting, including having a neat double spaced paper in 12 point Times New Roman font with a title, indented paragraphs, and works cited in MLA format. The first paragraph should contain an attention getter and thesis. Each independent body paragraph should have a topic sentence and use transitional phrases. The conclusion restates the thesis, relates back to the attention getter, and ensures the prompt was fully answered with specific details and examples. Finally, the author recommends proofreading for correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence formation and ensuring in-text citations are used.