College Composition / Unit 11 CMP 0270 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Revising for Emphasis
The idea
Revising for emphasis means arranging each sentence so its most important idea sits where readers will notice it.
In practice
Work in order. First, decide what each key sentence must make readers remember. Second, move that idea to the end of the sentence. Third, put it in the independent clause, with background in a dependent clause or phrase before it. Fourth, use active voice so the doer is visible. Fifth, consider a short sentence for the paragraph's most important point. For example, "The vote was close, but the measure passed after a long debate" becomes "After a long debate and a close vote, the measure passed."
Where people slip
If every sentence is built for maximum emphasis, nothing stands out. Reserve the strongest positions for the ideas the paragraph is really about.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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