Self- or Peer-Evaluation Checklist for Essay Answers

Before reading the essay, perform a visual inspection to see if the paper‘s appearance is professional:

• Is the essay neat and legible?
• Has the writer used paragraphs to mark the progression of the essay or is it a “stream of consciousness”?
• Are there headings (if appropriate) to lead the reader easily through the answer?

Read the essay for a sense of style and tone:

• If a role was required by the call-of-the-question, did the writer assume that role in the answer?
• Did the writer avoid use of such language as “I feel,”I believe,” “clearly,” and “obviously”?
• Was the writer’s style clear and concise, making it easy for the reader to follow and understand the points being made?

Read the essay and focus on organization and substance:

• Has the writer addressed the specific call-of-the-question?
• Is the answer organized according to a basic IRAC structure or appropriate variation, CIRAC or IR/A construction, where fact analysis always follows rule identification?
• Has the writer correctly identified all the relevant issues?
• Is there an adequate explanation of the applicable rule? Consider the following:
  • Has the writer used legal terminology and defined all relevant terms of art?
  • Is the rule written in its logical order which is usually from the general to the specific?
  • Is there a reliance on “buzz-words” without “back up” explanation?
  • Is there “enough” rule to provide an adequate context for analyzing the facts?
  • Is there identification of the relevant exception but no statement of the general rule to provide context?
• Is the law applied to the facts? Consider the following
  • Are the facts explained in light of their legal significance?
  • Does the writer use the word “because to make the connection between rule and fact and thus avoid conclusory statements?
  • Is every conclusion supported by an explanation of the “why” behind it?
  • Is every fact of consequence “used” in the analysis?
  • Have the counter-arguments been addressed?
• Does the essay seque appropriately between issues and sub-issues?
• Does the essay end with an express conclusion if required by the question?

This checklist was adapted from one created by Professors Michael Hunter Schwartz and Denise Riebe.