Draw the Lewis structure
Determine the molecular shape using VSEPR
Identify whether the bonds are polar
Check whether the bond dipoles cancel each other
If the shape is symmetrical and the surrounding atoms are identical, the molecule is usually nonpolar
If the shape is asymmetrical or has lone pairs that prevent cancellation, the molecule is usually polar
If the molecule has different atoms arranged unevenly, it is usually polar
If the net dipole moment is not zero, the molecule is polar