Editing Workshop
Learn
In this lesson, you will apply paragraph structure skills to edit and strengthen poorly organized paragraphs. Learning to identify structural problems and fix them is essential for both the SAT/ACT writing section and everyday writing.
Common Paragraph Structure Problems
| Problem | What It Looks Like | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Missing topic sentence | Paragraph jumps into details without stating the main point | Add a clear topic sentence at the beginning |
| Weak topic sentence | "This paragraph is about dogs." | Make it specific and arguable: "Dogs make ideal family pets because of their loyalty." |
| Off-topic sentences | Sentences that don't support the main idea | Delete or move to a different paragraph |
| Missing transitions | Ideas feel choppy and disconnected | Add transition words to show relationships |
| Weak or missing concluding sentence | Paragraph just stops without wrapping up | Add a sentence that summarizes or connects to the next idea |
| Illogical order | Ideas jump around randomly | Reorganize for chronological, spatial, or importance order |
The Paragraph Structure Checklist
Use TOPIC to check every paragraph:
- Topic sentence: Is the main idea clear and specific?
- Organization: Are ideas in logical order?
- Proof: Do all sentences support the topic sentence?
- Interconnection: Are transitions used effectively?
- Closing: Does the concluding sentence wrap up the idea?
Transition Categories
Addition:
Furthermore, Additionally, Moreover, In addition, Also
Contrast:
However, On the other hand, In contrast, Nevertheless, Yet
Cause/Effect:
Therefore, Consequently, As a result, Thus, Because of this
Example:
For example, For instance, Specifically, To illustrate
Sequence:
First, Next, Then, Finally, Subsequently
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Ultimately, Overall, In summary
Examples
Example 1: Fixing a Disorganized Paragraph
Before:
"Dogs are fun. My neighbor has a cat. Dogs can learn tricks. Playing fetch is enjoyable. Dogs protect their families. I like animals. Dogs are loyal to their owners."
Problems:
- Weak topic sentence ("Dogs are fun")
- Off-topic sentences (cat, "I like animals")
- No transitions
- No concluding sentence
After:
"Dogs make excellent family pets for several reasons. First, dogs are remarkably loyal to their owners, forming strong bonds that last a lifetime. Additionally, dogs can be trained to perform tricks and follow commands, making them interactive companions. Furthermore, dogs provide protection for their families, alerting owners to potential dangers. For these reasons, dogs remain the most popular choice for families seeking a devoted pet."
Example 2: Adding Effective Transitions
Before (choppy):
"Homework can be stressful. It takes time away from other activities. It can reinforce learning. Some students have too much. Teachers should assign reasonable amounts."
After (smooth):
"Homework can be stressful for students trying to balance multiple responsibilities. Specifically, it takes time away from extracurricular activities, family time, and rest. However, homework also serves an important purpose: it can reinforce learning from the classroom. The problem arises when students have too much, leading to burnout rather than skill-building. Therefore, teachers should assign reasonable amounts that benefit learning without overwhelming students."
Practice
Complete these editing exercises to strengthen your paragraph structure skills.
Practice 1: Identify the Missing Element
What paragraph element is missing from this text?
"For example, exercise releases endorphins that improve mood. Additionally, physical activity reduces stress hormones like cortisol. Furthermore, regular workouts improve sleep quality. Studies show that just 30 minutes of daily exercise can reduce anxiety symptoms by 40%."
Practice 2: Write a Topic Sentence
Write a topic sentence for this paragraph:
"[TOPIC SENTENCE] Students can study flashcards during breakfast or on the bus. They can review notes while waiting for appointments. Listening to educational podcasts during chores turns mundane tasks into learning opportunities. Even five-minute review sessions during breaks can reinforce important concepts."
Practice 3: Remove Off-Topic Sentences
Identify and list the sentence(s) that should be removed from this paragraph:
"School uniforms benefit students in several ways. First, uniforms eliminate morning decisions about what to wear. My mom always takes forever to get ready. Second, uniforms reduce peer pressure related to expensive clothing. Last year my school had a bake sale. Third, uniforms create a sense of school community. These advantages make uniforms a practical choice for schools."
Practice 4: Add Transitions
Rewrite this paragraph with appropriate transitions:
"Reading improves vocabulary. It enhances writing skills. Reading develops critical thinking. Some students don't enjoy reading. Schools should encourage reading through book clubs and library time."
Practice 5: Write a Concluding Sentence
Write a concluding sentence for this paragraph:
"Learning a musical instrument provides numerous benefits for young people. First, practicing an instrument develops discipline and time management skills. Additionally, reading music strengthens mathematical thinking through pattern recognition. Furthermore, playing in groups teaches collaboration and listening skills. [CONCLUDING SENTENCE]"
Practice 6: Reorganize for Logic
Rearrange these sentences into a logical paragraph order (number them 1-5):
- ____ Therefore, starting homework early is the best approach.
- ____ Procrastination creates unnecessary stress for students.
- ____ When students wait until the last minute, they often rush and make mistakes.
- ____ Additionally, late-night homework sessions interfere with needed sleep.
- ____ This rushing leads to lower quality work and poorer grades.
Practice 7: Complete Paragraph Edit
Rewrite this paragraph fixing all structural problems:
"Video games. They can teach problem solving. My brother plays too much. Games improve hand-eye coordination. Some games are educational. Playing together builds social skills. I like adventure games best."
Practice 8: Strengthen the Topic Sentence
Revise this weak topic sentence to make it more specific and engaging:
"This paragraph is about why sleep is important for students."
Practice 9: Apply the TOPIC Checklist
Using the TOPIC checklist, evaluate this paragraph and list what needs improvement:
"Technology helps students learn. Computers allow research. Tablets are expensive. Students can watch educational videos. Teachers use smartboards. Schools should have more technology. Some students prefer paper books."
Practice 10: SAT/ACT Style Question
Which transition best fills the blank?
"Regular exercise strengthens the heart and improves cardiovascular health. _____, physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight by burning calories."
- However
- In contrast
- Additionally
- Nevertheless
Sample Answers
Click to reveal sample answers
Practice 1: Missing a topic sentence. The paragraph gives examples and details but never states the main point (likely "Exercise provides significant mental health benefits").
Practice 2: Sample topic sentence: "Busy students can maximize their learning by taking advantage of small pockets of time throughout the day."
Practice 3: Remove: "My mom always takes forever to get ready" and "Last year my school had a bake sale" - both are off-topic personal comments unrelated to uniform benefits.
Practice 4: "Reading improves vocabulary and enhances writing skills by exposing students to well-crafted sentences. Additionally, reading develops critical thinking by requiring readers to analyze and interpret texts. However, some students don't enjoy reading on their own. Therefore, schools should encourage reading through engaging activities like book clubs and dedicated library time."
Practice 5: Sample concluding sentence: "For these reasons, music education should be considered essential to a well-rounded education rather than an optional extra."
Practice 6: Order: 5, 1, 2, 4, 3 (Topic sentence about procrastination, then example of rushing, consequence of lower quality, additional consequence of lost sleep, conclusion about starting early)
Practice 7: "Video games offer surprising educational benefits when played in moderation. First, many games develop problem-solving skills by requiring players to strategize and adapt to challenges. Additionally, action games improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time. Furthermore, multiplayer games build social skills through cooperation and communication. When parents choose age-appropriate educational games, screen time can become valuable learning time."
Practice 8: Revised: "Adequate sleep is essential for students' academic success and emotional well-being."
Practice 9: TOPIC checklist evaluation: T - Topic sentence is vague and weak; O - Ideas are in random order; P - Off-topic sentences (tablets expensive, paper books) need removal; I - No transitions between ideas; C - No concluding sentence.
Practice 10: C - "Additionally" indicates adding another similar point. The sentence adds another benefit of exercise, not a contrast.
Check Your Understanding
- What are the five elements of the TOPIC checklist?
- How do you fix a weak topic sentence?
- What should you do with off-topic sentences?
- When would you use the transition "However" vs. "Additionally"?
- What makes an effective concluding sentence?
Click to check your answers
- Topic sentence, Organization, Proof (supporting sentences), Interconnection (transitions), Closing (concluding sentence).
- Make it specific, clear, and focused on the main argument. Avoid vague statements like "This is about..." or single words.
- Either delete them or move them to a paragraph where they fit better.
- "However" shows contrast or counterargument; "Additionally" adds another similar point or example.
- It summarizes the main point, connects to the broader topic, or provides a transition to the next paragraph without simply repeating the topic sentence.
Next Steps
- Use the TOPIC checklist when editing your own paragraphs
- Practice identifying structural problems in texts you read
- Complete the Unit Checkpoint to test your paragraph structure mastery