Question

20. Sandra is revising her research paper on the Alamo to better unify the main points in her draft. Which of the following revisions should she make to improve the focus and clarity of the following paragraph?

Answer 1

1 The backdrop to the battle at the Alamo was the struggle of Texans to win independence from Mexico. 2 At the time of the battle, 1836, the United States extended west only to the area of the Louisiana Purchase. 3 Settlements in the Texas territory were under the jurisdiction of Mexico. 4 When Santa Anna overthrew his own government (he was president at the time), settlers in Texas decided they didn't want any part of that government. 5 The uprisings that followed angered Santa Anna, who took them personally. 6 To say what happened at the Alamo was dreadful is an understatement. 7 Imagine being under siege. 8 In an attempt to discourage supporters of Texas independence, Santa Anna had his government declare that anyone who took up arms against Mexico would be declared a "pirate" and be subject to execution. 9 His hope was that when faced with execution, the rebels would be discouraged and give up.


Add a topic of sentence of "Santa Anna told all that he would kill anyone who survived the siege, and standing against such an army meant certain death anyway."
Remove sentences 7 and 8.
Add a conclusion sentence of "In classic dictator-style, Santa Anna overthrew his government and begin to lay the groundwork for taking over more lands to the north.
Remove sentences 3 and 4.