From Foundation Up: The Writing Diagnostic Hierarchy

Reviewing writing is something akin to renovating a house: order matters. You don’t fuss over paint color or crown moldings on walls that you need to remove. You don’t frame a floor plan unless it's affixed to a solid foundation. Good writing and good writing review follow the principle, “First Things First”:

1. Content (Foundation)
1. Is the argument sound?
2. Is there enough evidence to support each assertion?
3. Are the ideas fresh, substantial, well-developed?
2. Structure (Framework)
1. Introduction: Does it catch attention (in the right direction) and conclude with a thesis?
2. Body: Does it begin with necessary background and a brief overview of the other side's point of view, followed by arguments given in ascending order (most persuasive last)?
3. Conclusion: Does it begin with a thesis-restate, recap ideas, and allude to appropriate future action?
3. Thesis (Blueprint)
1. Does it state the thrust of the argument?
2. Does it provide an accurate road-map for the paper (listing arguments in the order they appear in the paper)?
3. Is it the final sentence of the introduction?
4. Paragraphs (Building Materials)
1. Does each paragraph focus on one central idea?
2. Does each paragraph begin with a transition (bridging the previous paragraph & providing a topic sentence, or mini-thesis, for the current paragraph)?
3. Does each paragraph include sufficient support for the paragraph’s assertion?
4. Does each paragraph conclude?
5. Clarity (Functionality)
1. Does the word choice contribute to and never detract from communicating content?
2. Do the sentences vary in length and structure, creating sentence fluency?
6. Conventions (Cosmetics)
1. Is the grammar, usage, and punctuation polished and appropriate?
2. Is the formatting correct for the chosen writing style?

Whether she is crafting a skyscraper or a summer cottage, the builder follows the same basic process. Likewise, poems and political speeches, editorials and encyclopedias, best emerge from review first of foundation and framework. Build a sound structure first. You can polish and paint after the roof and the walls stand secure.