But, but, but … What About Grammar? - IEW

Andrew Pudewa, DirectorInstitute for Excellence in Writing

But, but, but … What About Grammar?

August 27, 2018

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Four Paradoxes of Teaching Grammar

Four Paradoxes of Teaching Grammar1. Knowledge of grammar is not a cause of good

writing or even a requisite for a person to write well. § But bad grammar equals bad writing.

Four Paradoxes of Teaching Grammar

1. Knowledge of grammar is not a cause of good writing or even a requisite for a person to write well. § But bad grammar equals bad writing.

2. Grammar is an imperfect science; it is actually an art. § But we teach it like a science.

2. Grammar is an imperfect science.

We went camping every summer.

2. Grammar is an imperfect science.“Don’t use split infinitives.”

To runTo slurpTo goTo boldly go…

2. Grammar is an imperfect science.� Case law sets precedent. � Who are the judges?

� Publishers!

2. Grammar is an imperfect science.“Don’t end a sentence with a preposition.”§This is not a rule of English!§“This is the sort of errant pedantry up with which I will not put.”Attributed to Winston Churchill

Four Paradoxes of Teaching Grammar1. Knowledge of grammar is not a cause of good writing

or even a requisite for a person to write well. § But bad grammar equals bad writing.

2. Grammar is an imperfect science; actually it is an art. § But we teach it like a science.

3. Grammar is extremely important. § But it is irrelevant to most

English-speaking children.

3. Grammar is extremely important. Foundation of the Liberal Arts

"If language is not correct then what is said is not what is meant and what ought to be done remains undone. If this remains undone, morals and art will deteriorate. If justice goes astray, the people will stand about in helpless confusion. Hence, there must be no arbitrariness in what is said. This matters above everything." – Confucius

“I fear we are not rid of God because we still have faith in grammar.” – Nietzsche

Four Forms of Relevancy from the "Teaching Boys" talk

1. Intrinsic2. Inspired3. Contrived4. Enforced

IEW.com/TB2014

3. Grammar is extremely important. § Where do students learn grammar?§ Eight times out of ten: “I learned it from

Latin.” (or Spanish, French, etc.)

Four Paradoxes of Teaching Grammar1. Knowledge of grammar is not a cause of good writing

or even a requisite for a person to write well. § But bad grammar equals bad writing.

2. Grammar is an imperfect science; actually it is an art. § But we teach it like a science.

3. Grammar is extremely important. § But it is irrelevant to most English-speaking children.

4. The study of analytical grammar is not appropriate as a “grammar stage” activity.

Dorothy Sayers: "The Lost Tools of Learning"

Poll Parrot

• Grammar

Pert

• Logic• Best place

to teach grammar!

Poetic

• Rhetoric

http://www.gbt.org/text/sayers.html

The Three Divisions of Grammar Instruction

1. InherentInherent grammar is by far the most important to good writing and the easiest to teach.

Goal: Build a database of language

The Three Divisions of Grammar Instruction

1. InherentIEW resources:

Free Audio Talk:Nurturing Competent Communicatorshttp://IEW.com/NCC2014

Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorizationhttp://IEW.com/LDP

The Three Divisions of Grammar Instruction

2. AppliedThis is the grammar we use to fix stuff.

Most useful for children

2. AppliedIEW resource:

Six levels of Fix It! GrammarBook 1: The Nose Tree

Book 2: Robin Hood

Book 3: Frog Prince, or Just Deserts

Book 4: Little Mermaid

Book 5: Chanticleer

Book 6: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

IEW.com/fix

Click here to download the placement test.

The Three Divisions of Grammar Instruction

3. Analytical

This consists of knowing “what those things are called” and “the rules governing their behavior.”Best way to learn: LATIN! (or another foreign language)

The Three Divisions of Grammar Instruction

3. Analytical

IEW Resource: for Teachers and ParentsBlue Book of GrammarIEW.com/BBG

The Three Divisions of Grammar

Two Worst andTwo Best Practices

Two Worst Ways to Teach Grammar

1. Delay, panic, everything2. Many years workbooks

verbsgerundscommasadverbsinfinitivesphrases

1. Foreign Language

2. Application in Writing

� Teach at the point of need.

� Edit. Have student rewrite as corrected.

� Now I have “Lesson Plans”!

Two Best Ways to Teach Grammar

In conclusion…1. Most important thing: build the language data

base.2. Then begin the study of Analytical Grammar in

foreign language instruction.3. Practice editing skills with something the student

did not write.

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