Can someone proofread a paragraph of my essay? This is my second revision, and I'm trying to make sure there are no subject/verb shifts.
Stevens’ definition of dignity also forces him to forego a close relationship with his father. Stevens Sr. is a butler who maintains the same opinions about dignity as his son. After spending many years in his profession, Stevens Sr. also believes that maintaining professionalism makes a butler truly “great.” With both father and son hiding their emotions, forming a close relationship seems nearly impossible. However, on his death bed Stevens Sr. makes a final attempt to reconnect emotionally with his son. “ ‘I hope I’ve been a good father to you.’ I laughed a little and said: ‘I’m so glad you’re feeling better now.’ ‘I’m proud of you. A good son. I hope I’ve been a good father to you. I suppose I haven’t.’ ‘I’m afraid we are extremely busy now, but we can talk again in the morning’ ” (97). On his death bed, Stevens Sr.’s sole desire was to reconnect with his son. He needed to be reassured that while he had devotes his life to professionalism, he had not completely sacrificed his filial relationship with Stevens. In the same way that he shoved Miss Kenton to the side in favor of professionalism, Stevens ignores his father’s adjuration of love before he dies.
Stevens’ definition of dignity also forces him to forego a close relationship with his father. Stevens Sr. is a butler who maintains the same opinions about dignity as his son. After spending many years in his profession, Stevens Sr. also believes that maintaining professionalism makes a butler truly “great.”<~~If you aren't quoting someone, delete the quotation marks. With both father and son hiding their emotions, forming a close relationship seems nearly impossible. However, on his death bed Stevens Sr. makes a final attempt to reconnect emotionally with his son. “ ‘I hope I’ve been a good father to you.’ I laughed a little and said: ‘I’m so glad you’re feeling better now.’ ‘I’m proud of you. A good son. I hope I’ve been a good father to you. I suppose I haven’t.’ ‘I’m afraid we are extremely busy now, but we can talk again in the morning’ ” (97). On his death bed, Stevens Sr.’s sole desire was<~~should be present tense to match the tense used before the quotation. to reconnect with his son. He needed<~~needs to be present tense to be reassured that while he had devotes<~~should be "devoted" his life to professionalism, he had not completely sacrificed his filial relationship with Stevens. In the same way that he shoved<~~needs to be present tense Miss Kenton to the side in favor of professionalism, Stevens ignores his father’s adjuration of love before he dies.
Just those few tense shift places.
Sure! I can help you proofread your paragraph and check for subject/verb shifts. Let's go through it line by line:
Original: Stevens’ definition of dignity also forces him to forego a close relationship with his father.
Revised: Stevens' definition of dignity also forces him to forego a close relationship with his father.
Original: Stevens Sr. is a butler who maintains the same opinions about dignity as his son.
Revised: Stevens Sr. is a butler who maintains the same opinions about dignity as his son.
Original: After spending many years in his profession, Stevens Sr. also believes that maintaining professionalism makes a butler truly “great.”
Revised: After spending many years in his profession, Stevens Sr. also believes that maintaining professionalism makes a butler truly great.
Original: With both father and son hiding their emotions, forming a close relationship seems nearly impossible.
Revised: With both father and son hiding their emotions, forming a close relationship seems nearly impossible.
Original: However, on his death bed Stevens Sr. makes a final attempt to reconnect emotionally with his son.
Revised: However, on his deathbed, Stevens Sr. makes a final attempt to reconnect emotionally with his son.
Original: “ ‘I hope I’ve been a good father to you.’ I laughed a little and said: ‘I’m so glad you’re feeling better now.’ ‘I’m proud of you. A good son. I hope I’ve been a good father to you. I suppose I haven’t.’ ‘I’m afraid we are extremely busy now, but we can talk again in the morning’ ” (97).
Revised: "I hope I've been a good father to you." I laughed a little and said, "I'm so glad you're feeling better now." "I'm proud of you. A good son. I hope I've been a good father to you. I suppose I haven't." "I'm afraid we are extremely busy now, but we can talk again in the morning" (97).
Original: On his death bed, Stevens Sr.’s sole desire was to reconnect with his son.
Revised: On his deathbed, Stevens Sr.’s sole desire is to reconnect with his son.
Original: He needed to be reassured that while he had devotes his life to professionalism, he had not completely sacrificed his filial relationship with Stevens.
Revised: He needs to be reassured that while he had devoted his life to professionalism, he had not completely sacrificed his filial relationship with Stevens.
Original: In the same way that he shoved Miss Kenton to the side in favor of professionalism, Stevens ignores his father’s adjuration of love before he dies.
Revised: In the same way that he shoves Miss Kenton to the side in favor of professionalism, Stevens ignores his father's adjuration of love before he dies.
I've made the necessary tense corrections for you. Remember to always maintain consistent verb tenses and review your writing for any other grammatical errors.