- 1). Read through the paragraph once and look for the central organization. Ask yourself if there is a clear topic sentence to guide the reader. Also consider if the paragraph stays focused on one main idea or topic. These questions will make clear if the paragraph's overall structure and content is valuable. If the topic sentence is not strong, consider the main idea you are trying to convey. This topic sentence should introduce the reader to the content. Look for sentences or information that stray from the main topic of the paragraph. Delete these ideas and save them for another area of the paper.
- 2). Examine the paragraph again. Look for unclear sentences, mistakes in wording and misspelled words. Mark these areas with a pencil. Cross out extra words. Place the note "sp" next to words that are misspelled. Once you have finished editing, go back on your word processor and apply the changes based on the notes you created.
- 3). Read the paragraph within the context of the paper. Check to ensure that the paragraph fits into the surrounding information. Are there solid, clear transitions from the last paragraph? Does the next paragraph tie into the paragraph under scrutiny? Read the paper backwards, going paragraph by paragraph. If the paragraph seems out of place, consider moving it to another area of the paper or changing the emphasis of your argument to fit your overall thesis.
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