Free resources · No registration

Before you submit.

A practical checklist to help you review your own academic work. Use it alongside your assignment instructions and institutional guidance.

Use the checklist ↓

Academic submission checklist

A final review, one step at a time.

Tick each item as you review your draft. This checklist is free general guidance; it does not assess your document or replace your institution’s requirements. Ticks reset when you reload the page.

01Answer the task

Read the assignment question and marking criteria again. Can you point to where your draft addresses each requirement?Check the word limit, required sections, source requirements and submission deadline.

02Check your argument and structure

Does your introduction explain the purpose or question? Does each section contribute to it?Use evidence to support claims. Make clear which ideas are yours and which come from sources.Check that your conclusion follows from the discussion and does not introduce unsupported findings.

03Review citations and references

Check that borrowed ideas, information and direct quotations are attributed using the style your institution requires.Compare in-text citations with the reference list. Check names, dates and source details for consistency, allowing for your style's exceptions.Open and verify your sources. Make sure they exist and support the statements you attribute to them. Do not rely on an automatically generated reference without checking it.Use your institution's guide and the official guidance for your required referencing style when details are unclear.

04Follow the rules on AI and outside support

Check the policy for this specific assignment: what AI assistance or external editing is allowed, and what must be disclosed?If required, record and disclose the tool, purpose and extent of assistance. Keep drafts and notes showing your own work.A low AI-detection or similarity score does not establish that a submission complies with your institution's rules. Review any report in context.

05Make the final checks

Read for spelling, punctuation, grammar and unclear sentences. Check headings, tables, numbering and formatting.Remove comments and tracked changes if a clean copy is required. Check your name or student number, filename and file format.Open the final saved file before submitting, and keep your submission receipt.