5 Paramedic Method
This is a method for simplifying and clarifying your sentences.
- Circle the prepositions (of, in, about, for, onto, into)
- Draw a box around “is” verb forms (be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been)
- Ask, “Where’s the action, and who’s taking it?” (“Who is kicking whom?”) Move the actor into the subject.
- Change the action into a simple verb.
- Eliminate any unnecessary slow wind-ups.
Example: The point I wish to make is that the employees working at this company are in need of a much better manager of their money.
- Who’s the main actor? Employees
- What is the action? Employees need
- Slow wind-up? The point I wish to make is that…
- Other unnecessary words? much better (why not just “better”?)
Revised sentence: This company’s employees need a better money manager.
Sentences for Revision (PRACTICE):
- It is widely known that the engineers at Sandia Labs have become active participants in the Search and Rescue operations in most years.
- Their motives were applauded by us, but their wisdom was doubted.
