Make sure your paper follows writing conventions in terms of grammar, punctuation, spelling, font size, margin size and line spacing. Most papers are written in Times New Roman, size 12, with 1-inch margins and double spacing. Use your spelling- and grammar-checking software, but also read your paper aloud to hear where you stumble.
Check the content to make sure it is correct and appropriate. Make minor changes at this point, as major changes in content are considered a rewrite. If a particular paragraph does not fit with your thesis, delete it or rewrite it. Add sentences or paragraphs when necessary to clarify your main idea.
Ensure you have used proper diction, or word choice. If you are unsure about what a word means, either don't use it or look it up in a good dictionary. If a word's definition doesn't fit into a particular sentence, delete it and find a new one. When considering diction, keep your audience in mind. Don't use words your audience won't understand, such as industry jargon like "fractures of the proximal tibia" or slang such as "bum leg."
Read the paper out loud to make sure your sentences flow together. If, when you are reading, you become confused or stumble, your sentences may need to be moved around. Sentences about the same idea should be in the same paragraph. Paragraphs should be linked together with logical transitions that explain how the content relates to the topic and the other paragraphs. For example, at the end of a paragraph about nouns, you might write this transition sentence before the next paragraph about verbs: "Once you name something with a noun, use another part of speech -- the verb -- to add some action."
Review the portions of your paper, ensuring you have an introduction, a body and a conclusion. The paragraphs in the body of the paper should follow each other logically and should be in the order in which you introduced their central ideas in the introduction. A good way to check paragraph flow and organization is to print your paper, cut out each paragraph, and then rearrange them to find some different combinations you could use.
Read through the paper again and listen for your own voice, or style of speaking. Even if a paper is technically correct, it will be incomplete until the writer adds his own style to it. If the paper you have produced doesn't have any of you in it, you might think about adding your own opinion where relevant. If the assignment specifically prohibits "I" statements, make sure your voice is reflected in your artistic use of diction.