Grammar has always been something I have wanted to, and needed to know more of in order to be a decent English major when I graduate. It’s almost scary for me to think that in a year I will be teaching. The fear does not come from any lack of confidence in my teaching, but comes from my lack of grammar knowledge. At this point I am fearful that although I know what is correct, I still have difficulty explaining the reasons behind the rule. So, after three weeks of grammar class what have I learned? Well to be honest I feel it is still too soon to ask that question in a fifteen week semester, but there are a few new pieces of grammar I have picked up.
My biggest issue has always been commas. One rule we have discussed is: when in doubt, leave it out. I like this rule as it helps my papers flow smoother with fewer commas. But, like many English rules this rule is not really a rule, it’s just a guideline. This is where I and many high school students become very confused.
Apostrophes that show possession are also an area in which I have always struggled. Just by doing the house style assignment I feel like I have learned and noticed things that I have not noticed before regarded apostrophes. Again, I noticed that although there are rules, clearly people follow them differently. In Road & Track I found many inconsistencies with the apostrophes. With the many incorrect grammar mistakes with apostrophes, it’s obvious why someone would have a difficult time understand apostrophes.
Overall, by the end of the semester I hope to be able to explain grammar rules to my students efficiently enough that they understand me. I also hope to find rules that are concrete rules. This class is important for me and my future job, so I hope to learn as much as I can about grammar.
Question: Does Microsoft Word help or hinder grammar learning?
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Hey Mike, I'm going to come over and get scrapbook supplies, but in the meantime, I'll definitely reply to your awesome post.
ReplyDeleteI concur that a classroom, right now, looks very intimidating. But I think that as long as we grasp the basic concepts of grammar, that will be more than the students will likely know.
I think the fact that you're a little worried about grammar is good, because it's out of urgency that our greatest achievements are made. Think of all the inventions that come during wartime, and all the amazing papers you've probably typed up the night before an exam.
I guess what I'm getting at is that the fact you want to learn grammar, and you have to do it before the end of the year, and you have a very capable instructor in Barbara, gives you a pretty good chance of being prepared for your first teaching job.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteAs someone who shares your concern regarding the use of commas, I can commiserate. My hope is that most of my future students will simply have problems with putting too many in their sentences rather than putting too few, thereby making their thought process difficult to follow. I've always found it easier to remove commas when peer-editing rather than trying to decipher what is being said and correctly placing commas into the sentences.
I also feel as though the grammar we will be covering over the course of the semester will be volumes more than we ever have to expose our students to. I know that having to take in all of this information makes me a bit nervous about the prospect of teaching it to others.
To answer your question though, I've often found Word to be more of a hindrance to correct grammar than a helpful tool. Perhaps this is because the only corrective marks that it puts in my writing are incorrectly marked as run-on sentences or "fragments (consider revising)". I especially hate the latter. So for some it may actually help to improve their grammar, but I've just never found that to be the case in my experience with it.
Yes! Although this program can at times be faulty, it's especially useful in picking out awkward phrases and sentence structures. It might not fix the errors correctly with the suggestions it gives, but at least attention is called to the area that needs work.
ReplyDeleteMike and David, I just want to say that the "when in doubt, leave it out" rule isn't a very good guideline... as we'll soon learn!
ReplyDeleteStay tuned.