TSI ELAR Study Guide
Text Revision
Some writing questions ask you to improve a sentence, paragraph, or short essay rather than fix a grammar error. You may choose the best wording, improve a transition, add or delete a sentence, or decide where a sentence belongs.
Think like an editor and ask
What change would make the writer’s ideas clearer and more logically connected?
Development and supporting details
Effective writing develops its ideas with relevant explanations, examples, facts, or other supporting details.
The history sentence may be true, but it doesn’t develop the main idea: how community gardens benefit neighborhoods. A better supporting sentence:
When deciding whether to add or delete a sentence, ask
- Does it support the paragraph’s main point?
- Does it provide useful information?
- Does it repeat something already stated?
- Does it distract from the paragraph’s focus?
A sentence can be factually correct and still not belong in a paragraph.
Organization
Good writing presents ideas in a logical order:
Questions may ask where a sentence should be placed so the paragraph makes the most sense.
Example
Sentence 2 comes before 3 because “once a plan is created” refers to the plan introduced in 2. Sentence 4 follows 3 because “this” refers to shopping with a focused list.
Flow and transitions
Addition
also, furthermore, in addition
Walking regularly can improve cardiovascular health. In addition, it can help strengthen muscles and bones.
Contrast
however, nevertheless, in contrast, on the other hand
Electric vehicles do not produce exhaust while being driven. However, producing their batteries requires significant resources.
Cause and effect
therefore, consequently, as a result, thus
Heavy rain continued throughout the night. As a result, several roads were flooded by morning.
Example
for example, for instance
Many everyday activities require mathematical reasoning. For example, comparing prices requires understanding quantities and costs.
Don’t pick a transition because it sounds sophisticated. Identify the relationship between the ideas first, then choose the transition that communicates it.
Clarity and precision
Questions may ask you to replace vague, confusing, repetitive, or wordy language.
Avoid unnecessary words
Before
Due to the fact that the roads were icy, the school opened late.
After
Because the roads were icy, the school opened late.
Avoid repetition
Before
The final outcome of the experiment was unexpected.
After
The outcome of the experiment was unexpected.
An outcome is already final, so “final outcome” repeats itself.
Be precise
Vague words to replace when a specific one is available:
Before
The new program did good things for attendance.
After
The new program improved attendance.
Choosing effective word choice
Some questions present several grammatically correct alternatives. Choose the wording that best fits the passage’s meaning, tone, and purpose. In a formal essay:
Before
The researchers looked at the results from all three experiments.
After
The researchers analyzed the results from all three experiments.
Both are understandable, but analyzed is more precise and suits formal academic writing.
Don’t assume the longest or most complicated answer is best. Strong writing is clear, precise, and appropriately concise.
Adding and deleting sentences
Identify the paragraph’s main purpose, then ask whether the new sentence contributes to it. In a paragraph on why sleep matters for academic performance:
Relevant
A sentence describing how sleep helps the brain process and store new information.
Not relevant
A sentence explaining that mattresses are made from many materials — it’s about sleep, but not about academic performance.
A sentence should usually be deleted if it:
TSI strategy: identify the goal before revising
Ask yourself
What is the writer’s main point here?
Then evaluate each change against that goal:
Placement
Look for logical connections and reference words.
Transitions
Identify the relationship between the ideas.
Adding or deleting
Does the information fit the paragraph’s focus?
Wording
Prefer clear, precise, concise language.
Don’t change a sentence just because another version sounds different. A revision should make the writing better for a specific reason.
When several answer choices are grammatically correct, choose the one that best serves the writer’s meaning and purpose. Effective revision isn’t about making writing longer or more complicated — it’s about making ideas easier to understand.