Once you have a draft that you consider to be as strong as you can make it, it's time to pay close attention to the smaller details of the paper—the spelling, punctuation, and mechanics of the work. Run your spell checker and grammar checker in your word- processing program, and consider the change the computer suggests. Then print out a fresh copy, and read it slowly aloud, looking carefully at every word and every punctuation mark.

Pay special attention to these issues in the research paper:

• Every quotation should fit naturally into the grammar of your prose. Don't allow abrupt changes in verb tense or voice. Usually it's best to introduce quotations with a complete sentence. "Kenner describes Donne's sonnet as anguished: '….'"
• Be sure that quotations are punctuated correctly. The final period should be placed after the parenthetical citation of the page number. "_____" (33).
• Quotations should be followed by a discussion of their significance. Resist the impulse to let quotations stand alone.
• The Works Cited page deserves special attention. Make sure every comma and period are correct, that titles are accurately capitalized, and that the list is in proper alphabetical order. Consult A Writer's Reference or another reliable handbook for the details of citation practice.

Here's a checklist for the final copy: