CAW LibGuides: Self or Peer Assessing an Essay

Resource focus

This checklist is suitable for all students who wish to systematically assess how well their essay addresses the assignment brief and adheres to standard academic writing conventions and referencing expectations.

Assessment of general conventions

Carry out a detailed reading of the cover page. Check that the cover page contains:

• Title.
• Student ID number (do not put your name).
• Date.
• Word count.

The assignment meets the following general conventions:

• Font size: 11 or 12 point.
• Font style: Sans Serif e.g. Arial.
• Line spacing: 1.5 or 2.
• Paragraph length: 2 or 3 per page.
• Word count: not more than plus or minus 10%.
• General accuracy and consistency: page numbers, footnotes, figures, tables, etc.
• All guidelines in the assignment brief have been followed.

Check of referencing

Coventry University uses APA 7^th edition referencing system. Information on this referencing system can be found online at: https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/apa.  For law students using OSCOLA, visit: https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/oscola.

APA 7^th checklist:

• In-text citations use the APA 7^th edition style.
• Accurate and consistent.
• Range of reporting verbs to integrate sources, e.g. explains/argues.
• The reference list uses the APA 7^th edition style.
• The reference list is on a separate page.
• Alphabetical order of author’s surname or corporate author.
• Line space between each reference.
• In each reference, every line after the first is indented.
• All references relate to an in-text citation and are accurate and consistent.
• The number of references is at least 6-10 per 1000 words.
• A range of sources are used (for postgraduates a predominance of journal articles rather than textbooks).
• References are up-to-date.

OSCOLA checklist:

• Footnotes formatted in the OSCOLA style.
• Accurate and consistent.
• The bibliography uses OSCOLA referencing style for bibliographies/table of cases/table of legislation.
• The bibliography is on a separate page.
• Bibliographies should have sections: Primary Sources (law) and Secondary sources (books, journals and websites).
• Exclude pinpointing (page numbers, sections, paragraphs) in your bibliography.
• Within each section of your bibliography sources should be in alphabetical order.
• A range of sources are used (for secondary sources, postgraduates a predominance of journal articles rather than textbooks).

Check the draft answers the question: structure and organisation

Carry out a detailed reading of the assignment brief, introduction, conclusion and all topic sentences. Check that:

• The introduction and its thesis statement remind the reader of the question.
• The introduction explains clearly the outline/structure.
• The topic sentences in each paragraph remind the reader of the question.
• The topic sentences help the reader to understand the structure of the writing.
• The paragraphs are in a logical order.
• The conclusion reminds the reader of the question/the thesis statement and the structure described in the introduction.
• The conclusion states the answer or demonstrates the direction of the argument.
• The conclusion closes with a prediction/suggestion/implication.

Also consider the proportion of description? Is this appropriate?

Check paragraph structure, style and accuracy

Carry out a detailed reading of paragraphs. Check that:

• The main idea of the paragraph is clear in the topic sentence.
• The main idea is supported with evidence.
• The main idea is supported with explanation.
• The idea, evidence and explanation is critiqued.
• The relationships between sentences are clear (i.e. there are plenty of linking words).
• The register is formal.
• The assignment has been proofread for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

CAW offers writing development workshops across all genres of academic writing that can provide additional support and guidance during your writing process.  To view available workshops and book online, visit: https://libcal.coventry.ac.uk/calendar/caw