Popcorn first gained popularity in the United States during the Great Depression. Sugar had become an expensive commodity that most Americans could no longer afford. So, instead of snacking on sweet candies, people turned to popped corn for a satisfying snack. A dash of salt and a sprinkle of melted butter made the treat delicious and hard to resist. Of course, they should have skipped the salt and butter, but they didn’t really know about the potential health problems of these additions. The dangers of salt and trans fats has only recently been uncovered. Thankfully, we have the knowledge we need to make healthy decisions about the foods we eat. Which revision would most improve this paragraph?

adding a topic sentence to the paragraph
rewriting sentences that stray from the focus of the paragraph
fixing spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in the paragraph
adding transitions to connect ideas within the paragraph

"the monkey's paw" is a rare story in that the theme is actually stated in the story. sgt. maj. morris tells the whites that the old fakir who put the spell on the paw said, "fate rules people's lives and those who interfere with fate do so to their sorrow." the message is a warning, but mr. white doesn't believe it. even though sgt. maj. morris makes it clear that he tried wishing with unfortunate results and he tries to throw the paw on the fire,   mr. white makes a wish for 200 pounds only to find that he receives the money when herbert dies in a factory accident. according to the fakir, then, because mr. white had wished for something he should not have had, his son lost his life.

the second wish that mrs. white encourages him to make is for herbert's return--one week after his death. when the strange knocking begins at the door during the windy night, mr. white panicks, believing that the previously dead but still mangled herbert could have walked home from the cemetary and is now at the door. because he fears what his wife will find if she opens the door, mr. white makes his third wish--for the noise to stop.

therefore, he uses his three wishes and to his sorrow, loses his son and disappoints his wife, who fervently believed that their son was at the door. she wanted him back, regardless of his condition.

explanation:

what i did was pick the character i liked best (i picked buck) and i looked up quotes from the book. i chose three characteristics that made buck himself. i chose to use loyalty, that he is strong and intelligent, and that he is competitive. i used quotes to show that they were true about buck. hope i