UNconventional Grammar

If I got one thing out of these few chapters it would have to be: teach grammar with writing! This was one concept that was constantly reiterated in this reading. However, it speaks the truth about the purpose grammar serves in our use of language – that we actually use grammar in our formal writing when expressing ideas. I couldn’t help but think back to our first day of class when we were talking about our feelings toward grammar, what kind of mastery we have over the topic and what we hoped to learn in the class. It was through our discussion that I realized that maybe grammar isn’t so important when informally or vocally expressing ideas. Classroom discussion is a perfect example of this, because students may be talking about newly formed ideas or even just winging it as they go.

Grammar to Enrich and Enhance Writing definitely takes an alternative approach to this subject – I feel like I’ve never been taught grammar in this way before! (Really, I don’t think I have ever been taught any other way than through Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition.) As I started to read over the three structural features of the English language, I honestly felt a little confused by these classifications. I felt kind of dumb, but then I read on and the book explained that these are learned, implied categories. I always just thought of the standard terms used to name nouns, participles, conjunctions, etc. But what Constance Weaver stresses is to categorize these terms by their function, not by assigned meaning.

I never thought of respecting students’ dialects as a part of teaching multiculturalism, but it is true that many students will refuse to give up some of their slang. Even as an English major, I will still use improper grammar at times. But the difference is, I know what I am doing wrong and I recognize this. Does that matter? I always thought so but maybe not. Throughout all these grammar conspiracies, I was actually glad to read the part about interviewers’ grammatical pet peeves. I still want grammar to be considered where it should be, and be taught to students as it is applicable to their lives. Where better to apply these skills than the workforce?