A composition for increasing paper strength includes a dialdehyde-modified polyacrylamide strengthening agent, a water soluble compound that is soluble at about 5 wt % or greater in water at about 25° C., and water. The water soluble compound is typically present in a weight amount that is greater than a weight amount of the strengthening agent. The composition is formed by combining the strengthening agent and the water soluble compound in aqueous media to form the composition, wherein on a dry basis the water soluble compound is typically present in a greater amount than the strengthening agent, drying the composition to form a powder or paste that has a water content of less than about 10 weight percent and is stable after storage at about room temperature for about six months, and reconstituting the powder or paste by adding water thereto. The reconstituted composition may then be used to make paper.