Writing checklist and citations

Reading-level scores (Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade) are calibrated for English only, and the syllable count here is an automatic estimate, so treat them as a guide to within a few points. Abbreviations such as "e.g." can split a sentence early.

• Does the first paragraph say what this is about and what you want from the reader?
• One main idea per paragraph; cut anything that does not serve it.
• Split sentences longer than about 25 words, unless the length is needed.
• Replace vague words (thing, stuff, very, really) with specific ones.
• Prefer active verbs; keep the passive only where the doer is unknown or unimportant.
• Check every name, date, number, unit and quotation against the source.
• Use the same spelling, capitalisation and terms throughout (pick one variant of English).
• Every source you used is cited, and every citation appears in the reference list.
• Read it aloud, or have the computer read it to you, to catch missing words and awkward rhythm.
• Leave it for a few hours, then proofread once more, one pass for meaning and one for typos.

Italics are shown in the preview; plain-text copy keeps them as *asterisks*. Covered: single or multiple authors, organisations, editions, DOIs and URLs, page ranges. Not covered: editors, translators, chapters in edited books, suffixes such as Jr., non-English sources, special cases. For those, check your style guide. Capitalisation is never changed for you. APA 7 does not list the publisher's city; Chicago (17th edition) examples include it.