This is what the 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 edit the rest of the paragraph, arranging sentences in order of importance. Think about transition words and how the sentences relate to each other.
When you are finished, go to SAVE AS under FILE and name the changes you made. Save changes to your disk.

(1) Even more important, alligators keep the surrounding area clean, since they eat dead animals.
(2) First, did you know that alligators dig deep holes, which they use as dens? (3) Most important, however, alligators keep down the rattlesnake population. (4) While we often think of alligators as dangerous creatures, they are actually very important to life in the Everglades. (5) Since these alligator holes collect water, other animals use them for drinking spots during the dry season. (6) Their plowing action unclogs the waterways. (7) Furthermore, alligators plow through the water when they swim.

Here is the paragraph arranged correctly:

(4) While we often think of alligators as dangerous creatures, they are actually very important to life in the Everglades. (2) First, did you know that alligators dig deep holes, which they use as dens? (5) Since these alligator holes collect water, other animals use them for drinking spots during the dry season. (7) Furthermore, alligators plow through the water when they swim. (6) Their plowing action unclogs the waterways. (1) Even more important, alligators keep the surrounding area clean, since they eat dead animals. (3) Most important, however, alligators keep down the rattlesnake population.

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