Grammar Rules

I guess it is natural for an American writer to make comments about language...the English language. I can surmise that writers all over the world make comments about their native languages.

As a college English composition teacher, I'm met with groans from students throughout each semester. Most say, "I can't remember grammar rules."

And, hundreds of times during the semester, I say, "You don't have to remember all of the rules. If you know how to write a sentence you can rely on a writing handbook for the rest."

For some unknown reason, middle schools and high schools don't teach students to refer to handbooks, nor are they encouraged to own one. This must come from years of having all things English in a textbook that is returned at the end of the school year. No wonder students look at me like I am crazy when I tell them I have a handbook in my briefcase, in my computer case, and another on my desk at home. I say, "When I am writing, I need a handbook."

Students (new to writing) in composition class sometimes have the basic problems of sentence structure, word usage, proper spelling, and understanding how the writing process works. But they soon come to realize that writing takes practice, practice, practice. They learn to write by writing.

One of my friends says she believes that individuals learn all subjects by "doing."

Everyone writing to earn a grade or who wants to write for pleasure has to write. That is "doing."

Then, patience comes in. When given an assignment and two weeks to achieve it, there is *always a percentage of students who put off even thinking about what they might write about. And, this after I remind the class how they need time for revision.

HA! REVISION! Many students do not allow time to correct typographical errors even when the spellcheck indicates there are errors. 

Writers of all abilities need patience when they realize they have not memorized comma rules or how they have forgotten how to punctuate dialogue. A writer's handbook (also known as an English handbook in the dark ages) can provide the answer if the composer has allowed time to check the index for the proper page, then study the how to's of correcting the text. Again, patience is everything. One correction can take from fifteen minutes to an hour. But that is where learning begins, because memorizing grammar is meaningless without a chance to apply the new found knowledge.

Looking up information is an important part of learning grammar and is the main ingredient in developing excellent writing techniques. It is equivalent to taking part in the educational process. 

*"always" is a difficult word to use. Generally, nothing is "always." In this case, I have "always" had students who complain about their lack of knowledge of grammar. Yet, there may come a day when I have a class of eager writers holding a writing handbook.

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