T.A.M -- Testing Against the Middle


1. Isolate the major points in the body of the paper. You can list these on a separate piece of paper or in the right margin. Use as few words as possible as you list each major point. Remember that often several paragraphs may fall under one major point; a summary of the main points is not simply a listing of each paragraph.

2. Find the thesis statement. See if it includes a listing of the major points in the paper.

3. Test the summary against the theis statement. If the thesis statement does not include a listing of the major points in the paper, revise the thesis to include your listing (serial sentences work great here). If the thesis statement does include a preview of the structure of the paper, check to make sure it's accurate and complete.

4. Steps 1-3 have probably revealed some problems with the structure of your paper. Usually these are the problems unearthed:
a. Main ideas are not succinctly worded or strongly emphasized
b. Some points are fully developed and take up the bulk of the paper; others are skimpy
c. Logical and stylistic transitions between main points are weak or non-existent.
Now revise the body of the paper to improve its structure, testing it against your thesis statement




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