Revising Prose
Source: Richard Lanham, Revising Prose, chapter on the paramedic method • Course status: one-chapter reader only
Core shift
Lanham's paramedic method treats weak prose like a patient with clogged circulation. The cure is to find the real action, bring it to the surface, and remove the dead weight around it.
The method is mechanical in the best sense. It gives the writer a repeatable way to revise sentences that feel abstract, bureaucratic, or slow.
The paramedic method
The central move is to recover action.
| Step | Question | Revision move |
|---|---|---|
| Find prepositions | Where is the sentence heavy? | Cut long prepositional chains |
| Find forms of "to be" | Where is action hidden? | Replace with active verbs |
| Ask who acts | Who is responsible? | Name the actor |
| Put action in verbs | What happens? | Turn nouns back into verbs |
| Read for rhythm | Does it breathe? | Shorten, combine, or reorder |
The point is not to make every sentence active. The point is to make every sentence accountable for its shape.
Revision map
Lanham turns revision into a sequence.
The sentence wakes up when the actor and action return.
The first habit
Use this worksheet on one sentence.
Original sentence:
Prepositional phrases:
Forms of "to be":
Hidden action nouns:
Actor:
Active verb:
Revised sentence:
Do not begin by judging style. Begin by locating structure.
Practice drill
Revise one sentence in three passes.
| Pass | Instruction |
|---|---|
| Pass 1 | Delete needless openings and prepositional chains |
| Pass 2 | Name the actor and action |
| Pass 3 | Read aloud and adjust rhythm |
Compare the original and revised versions. The better sentence should feel lighter and more responsible.
Checklist
- [ ] Can you identify hidden action nouns?
- [ ] Can you name the actor of the sentence?
- [ ] Can you reduce prepositional clutter?
- [ ] Can you turn weak "is/are" structures into stronger verbs where appropriate?
- [ ] Can you revise mechanically before polishing aesthetically?