Concept 6

Maintain consistency in point of view, tense, and level of detail while revising.

Core Idea

Once a paragraph establishes a tense and point of view, stay there unless the meaning requires a real shift. Unplanned changes make the writing feel stitched together.

Understanding

Rule: Once a paragraph establishes tense and point of view, stay there unless the meaning requires a real shift. Unplanned changes make the writing feel stitched together.

  • Sudden moves from past to present or from third person to second person can break the reader's focus.
  • Compare the underlined part with the sentences around it.
  • The best answer matches the established pattern.

Step by Step

  1. Identify the tense and point of view in the surrounding sentences.
  2. Find the word or phrase that breaks that pattern.
  3. Choose the revision that matches the surrounding structure.
  4. Make sure the level of formality still fits the paragraph.

Misconceptions

  • Missing a single "you" in a third person paragraph.
  • Switching tense because the action feels generally true.
  • Ignoring a style shift because the sentence is otherwise grammatical.
Question

Worked Example

A student wrote the following sentence:

"During the workshop, volunteers sorted seeds by size, labeled the envelopes, and then you place the envelopes in storage bins."

Which choice best maintains consistency in point of view and tense?

Select an answer to see the explanation