Rewriting the same paragraph again and again¶
Situation¶
- You are repeatedly rewriting a single paragraph
- The rest of the text is mostly stable
- Each revision feels necessary, but none feels right
- You are focusing on this paragraph more than the overall message
- Progress feels stuck in one small area
This situation appears when a local problem is masking a structural one.
Verdict¶
VERDICT: STOP
Rewriting the same paragraph will not resolve the issue. The paragraph is failing because its role is unclear.
Why this verdict¶
- The paragraph does not have a clearly defined function
- Local edits are compensating for unclear context
- Rewriting assumes the paragraph can be fixed in isolation
A paragraph cannot be repaired without its role being clear.
What happens if you continue¶
- You will keep cycling through minor variations
- Confidence in the surrounding text will erode
- Time will be spent on symptoms, not causes
This often delays a necessary structural decision.
A safer next step¶
Stop rewriting the paragraph.
Decide its role first: - What must this paragraph accomplish? - What comes before and after it? - Should it exist at all?
Only rewrite after its purpose is explicit.