A whole library of possibilities.
534 examples and lessons to explore. Find an approach, follow the thinking, and try it in your own writing.
Introduce Fictional Dialogue Clearly
Learn to attribute an invented line of dialogue and connect it to a character’s action so readers can follow who speaks and why the moment matters.
Replace an Inflated Phrase
Learn to replace inflated wording with a precise, familiar expression while preserving the original meaning.
Move from Observation to Inference
Learn to distinguish details a paragraph directly describes from interpretations those details may support, then revise to make the difference clear.
Put Old Information Before New Information
Learn to improve paragraph flow by placing information readers already know before the new information that builds on it.
Represent an objection fairly
Learn to state a plausible opposing reason accurately, then answer it with a focused response rather than dismissing or distorting it.
Vary Sentence Length with a Purpose
Use sentence length to make an important relationship in a paragraph easier to notice. A deliberate short sentence can give a longer explanation emphasis, while sentence variety keeps the idea moving.
Use a Definition Only Where It Helps
A definition earns space when it helps readers understand what to do, decide, or notice. Learn to connect a working definition directly to the reader’s task.
Restore the Missing Step in a Process
Learn to spot when a process paragraph skips an action a beginner needs, then revise it by naming the action and connecting it to what happens next.
Cut an Empty Opening Sentence
Learn to replace a sentence that merely announces a paragraph with an opening that begins its actual work.
Keep Verb Tense Consistent
Choose a paragraph’s main verb tense by asking what the paragraph does. A paragraph that recounts a completed event usually uses past tense; shifts are useful only when the time or function changes.
Make a comparison parallel
Learn to compare two subjects by applying the same criterion to each, then revise a fictional paragraph so its comparison is fair and clear.
Answer an Objection with a Concession
A concession recognizes the part of an objection that is reasonable, then explains why the objection does not overturn the writer’s main conclusion.