Resources – Writing Self-Assessment
Introduction to the Topic
Use these questions to find out what works in your writing, and what needs to be improved. You can use these questions to revise a draft in progress, or to take a look at a collection of your writing–a portfolio.
The questions are broken down into five categories:
- Intentions
- Focus
- Development
- Organization
- Style & Mechanics.
When answering the questions, look for both weaknesses and strengths. Be critical, but remember to give yourself credit for what’s working well.
Performing a Writing Self Assessment
Assessing Intentions
- Why am I writing?
- Who are my readers? What key characteristics are important?
- What is my main point?
- What do I want readers to do/believe as a result of reading this?
- What general strategy am I taking?
- What role am I assuming?
Assessing Writing: Focus
- Where do I make central points or questions clear to readers?
- How is each section/paragraph related to the central point?
Assessing Writing: Development
- Will readers understand/believe points or do I need additional definitions, evidence, or reasoning?
- Where might the readers raise questions or challenges? Have I addressed them?
Assessing Writing: Organization
- What is the general pattern of organization?
- How are ideas grouped?
- At any point does the organization become unclear?
Assessing Writing: Style & Mechanics
- Is the tone appropriate for my purpose/audience?
- What sentences seem most effective?
- What sentences could use most work?
- Are there persistent grammatical/mechanical problems or questions?
