Micro Editing: The Paramedic Method

The Paramedic Method

In Class:
The Paramedic Method PPT
Read all about it: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20080306044511_727.pdf

Steps of the Paramedic Method:
1) Underline prepositional phrases
2) Highlight 'to be' verbs
3) Bold the nominalizations
4) Write nominalizations as simple action verbs (below the original sentence)
5) Italicize the agent. Ask "who or what preforms the action?"
6) Revise and type a new sentence below the old one. Put the base clause (agent + action) at or near the beginning of the sentence.
7) Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases (including unnecessary wind ups)
8) Fix any other errors in grammar or style that you see (passive voice, direct address, etc.)

Step 1: In a word document, fix these practice sentences using the paramedic method. Underline, bold, highlight, etc the aspects of the original sentence before beginning the re-write below each one. Save this document regularly preferably as a google doc or external source.

Practice sentences:

1. It is the totality of the interrelation of the various components of language and the other communication systems which is the basis for referential meaning.

2. We are not surprised or shocked by her story or the manner in which she tells it. 

3. This sentence is in need of an active verb.

4. The purpose of this project is to develop the capabilities for institutions of higher learning and community agencies and organizations to coalesce for the development of community services that would maximize the available resources from a number of institutions and provide communication and priority needs and the responses of the educational needs of a given community.

5. In this report, The Behavioral Design Process is presented below in some detail as a guide to implementation of a user-oriented design methodology.

6. Product taste and usage are especially critical for the sweetener.

7. I believe that for the writer the practice of bad writing is harmful for it results in an inhibition of her responses to intellectual and imaginative stimuli.

Step 2: Compare your sentences with those of your partner. Were they different? If so discuss what your thought process was in making the sentence the way you did. Did you fail to eliminate unnecessary words and phrases? Did you eliminate too much or change the meaning of the sentence?

Step 3: Pick one sentence from the exercise that you edited differently. Below that sentence explain what was different, and decide what the advantages and disadvantages of the two interpretations for editing the sentence.  Answer the following questions:

Why are there differences in the way people edit the same sentence?

What is important to keep in mind when editing other peoples work?

Be ready to share these answers with the class

Step 4: While you wait for your classmates to finish, or after we discuss the questions above as a class, visit http://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/ and look at the exercises. You will notice there is a specific exercise you can try for just about any type of style or grammar issue you may want to learn more about. This provides an excellent resource if there are aspects of grammar or sentence structure that you struggle with. As you look toward assignment 5, which includes a revision of one of your essays from this class, you may notice a pattern of style or grammar issues that you repeat, based on comments from your peers and instructor on your essays. This website will help you address and change those patters of error that you repeat in your writing.

Issues in grammar and structure will haunt you as you continue through college into your career unless you continually work to improve them.Challenge yourself to practice improvement by identifying what you need to work on and by doing some of these exercises. You can always ask your instructor if you need further help in correcting a specific issue.

Step 5: Practice the paramedic method with partner's essay using track changes. Be sure to save regularly Put your name at the bottom as editor. Comment on other issues you find. Share your edits with your partner and instructor at akeener@iastate.edu.


Homework:
1) Assignment 1 DUE Today Thursday, January 19th posted to Blackboard by end of day (11:59pm). We will go over the posting of an assignment to Blackboard in class Thursday (please remind me if I forget). Assignments need to be submitted as a word document so that I can comment on them using track changes.

2) Read Everything’s an Argument p.95- 129 by 1/24 (remember, there will be intermittent, unannounced quizzes on readings that are part of your grade)

3) Read Eula Biss “Is This Kansas” from Notes from No Man’s Land: American Essays by 1/24. This is an electronic reading posted in the readings folder of Blackboard. Print out or bring to class on your laptop and be ready to discuss.

4) Read Everything’s an Argument p.441-451 by 1/26