This would be what students see on their disks when they put them in the computer:

The sentences in the following paragraph do not follow any logical order. First identify the topic sentence. Using CUT and PASTE commands, move it to the beginning of the paragraph. Then use the CUT and PASTE commands to arrange the rest of the sentences in spatial order (order of where things are). Use the transitional words to help you.
When you are finished, go to SAVE AS under FILE and name the changes you made. Save the changes to your disk.

(1) In fact, her steady gaze seems to warn the viewer not to bother her babies. (2) One of my favorite paintings is Cat and Kittens by an unknown artist. (3) Behind both kittens is the mother cat. ( 4) In the front of the painting is a white-and-brown spotted kitten sitting on its hind legs.
(5) The calico kitten looks somewhat confused by the spotted cat’s antics. (6) The curious thing about this cat is that she seems to be looking more at the viewers of the painting than at her two kittens. (7) This spotted kitten looks very cute as it plays with a ball of yarn. (8) Slightly behind this kitten is a calico one.

Here is the paragraph arranged correctly:
(2) One of my favorite paintings is Cat and Kittens by an unknown artist. ( 4) In the front of the painting is a white-and-brown spotted kitten sitting on its hind legs.
(7) This spotted kitten looks very cute as it plays with a ball of yarn. (8) Slightly behind this kitten is a calico one. (5) The calico kitten looks somewhat confused by the spotted cat’s antics. (3) Behind both kittens is the mother cat. (6) The curious thing about this cat is that she seems to be looking more at the viewers of the painting than at her two kittens. (1) In fact, her steady gaze seems to warn the viewer not to bother her babies.


This lesson is adapted from the Prentice Hall Literature Writing Studio: Copper Level