Kline's Synthesis Checklist

Is it an argument?

·    Does it have a clear, complex claim?

·    Is the claim supported by logical reasons?

·    Are the reasons supported by convincing, sophisticated evidence?

·    Does the evidence come from an effective variety of sources?

·    Does the evidence come from college level resources?

·    Does it explore the subject thoroughly and draw reasonable conclusions?

Is the synthesis effective?

·    Do the synthesis paragraphs support the author’s opinion with direct quotations from two different sources?

·    Are the sources clearly established (author and author’s ethos, title, date of publication, purpose of source text, context of quotation)?

·    Are the quotations properly punctuated?

·    Is the analysis longer than the quotation?

·    Does the author avoid plagiarism, both intentional and accidental?

Is it well organized?

·    Do the ideas come in the best order?

·    Are the transitions between ideas smooth and logical?

·    Are all paragraphs fully developed with thoroughly analyzed examples?

·    Does the body of the paragraph support the topic sentence?

·    Is the opening precise, specific, and engaging? Is it the intro that only this author can write?

·    Does the closing effectively emphasize, elaborate, or illuminate the author’s claim?

Is the language interesting?

·    Does the writer make precise, powerful diction choices?

·    Does the writer employ rhetorical strategies that engage the reader and emphasize the purpose?

·    Are appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos balanced, effective, and appropriate for audience and purpose?

·    Does the writer take risks?

Does this look like a college paper?

·   Does it follow MLA format?

·   Does it display a college-level control of spelling, grammar, and punctuation?

·   Did the writer meet the requirements of the assignment, including the nit-picky details?