Final answer:
To maintain verb tense consistency in writing, it is crucial to revise sentences that shift verb tenses without reason. Active voice with a clear 'doer' should be used, and adherence to style guides such as MLA may dictate the tense. Sentence structure can be improved by eliminating unnecessary words and combining sentences for better flow.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to maintaining consistent verb tense within a narrative paragraph. When revising, one should ensure that all actions are presented in the same verb tense to avoid confusing the audience. Verb tense consistency is significant for the clarity and coherence of a piece of writing. For example, if a sentence starts in the past tense, such as lost, subsequent verbs should also remain in the past tense rather than shifting to present tense, like find, to maintain consistency. Changing verb tense without a valid reason can disrupt the narrative flow and reader engagement.
It is also helpful to make sentences more concise and to incorporate active voice, where the doer of the action is clearly stated, as in the revised example provided where Authors now perform the action. Depending on the writing context, adherence to a specific style guide, such as MLA style, may be required, dictating verb tense use in particular scenarios.
To improve sentence structure and enhance readability, practices like combining choppy sentences, eliminating unnecessary passive constructions such as There are and It is, and opting for clearer, more direct writing are encouraged. Revising sentences to include a clear 'doer' and 'action' can make the text more relatable and engaging to the reader.