Read the following excerpt from a narrative about the Wild West: Mills sauntered into town; dozens of wary eyes regarded him sid
ewise. “Is this Deadwood?” he asked, flicking the safety from his pistol. “Depends on who’s asking,” replied a man lounging in a doorway, a sheriff’s star glinting on his chest. The sun burst through a cloud and flooded the town square with blazing heat. Cowboy Mills tipped his dusty hat, squinting at the sheriff. The sheriff squinted back. “I’m here to take over. Mills is the name.” What revision would you make if you wanted to speed up the pace of events? Why? A. Remove the dialogue; it would focus the narrative on the setting, which is essential to the events.
B. Remove the dialogue; it would focus the narrative on the potential conflict between the sheriff and Cowboy Mills.
C. Remove the descriptive details about the weather; it would make the conflict between the sheriff and Mills happen more quickly.
D. Remove the descriptive details about Cowboy Mills and his pistol; it would help focus on the events that come next, not the tension that builds to them.
