Testing your text
Asking questions is a good way to find out if you are getting your message over to your reader.
•	Why does this matter? – is a good basic question to ask.
To check the flow of your argument or line of reasoning you can test pieces of your text by evaluating them against criteria or questions. 
•	You can test a sentence or two, a paragraph or longer sections.
Test a paragraph
Take a paragraph and take a close look at it posing the following questions:
•	Is the main point or idea clear?
•	Is it convincing?
•	Is it supported by evidence? 
•	Does the paragraph introduce the main point or idea at the start?
•	Does the last line bring it all together?
Test links between parts
Select a page or a few paragraphs. Check the answers to these two key questions are clear to your reader.
1.	Why is this here?
2.	How does this contribute to my line of reasoning?
Look at the transitions between the parts of the writing too.  You may need to move some parts of your text and rewrite the transitions.
Test for quality
You will need to be ruthless and remove writing that dilutes the overall quality of your work.  It is a good idea to label and keep your cuts in a separate folder just in case you want to rewrite and use some parts.
Take a close look at a section of your work and ask yourself these questions:
•	Is it misleading in any way?
•	Does this advance the argument?
•	Does it drift from the main point?
•	Is there too much unimportant detail or description? 
•	Can you reduce or reuse parts?
•	Does it repeat something?
End.
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