Exercise 1-2E: Chop It Up

Looking at each paragraph out of context can help you revise in ways that make your paragraphs more logical and cohesive. After you have a full, revised draft:

1. Print each paragraph on its own page. 
2. Shuffle the pages and give them to a friend or classmate. 
3. Ask this reader to put the individual paragraphs in what seems to them the most logical order and return it to you

If the reader’s order matches yours, you’re well on your way to a solid composition. If not, troubleshoot: for example, if the reader switches your introduction and your conclusion, your conclusion may be summary heavy. If the reader puts your body paragraphs in the wrong order, you may have to work on topic sentences, paragraph-to-paragraph transitions, and/or the overall flow of your argument and evidence.