In my experience, grammatical issues are best addressed in relation to student writing. Similar to learning new vocabulary, a writer can think they understand grammatical rules but when it comes time to write, they realize they don’t have a mastery of the rules that allows them to use grammar effectively. Thus, I think that addressing grammatical issues or errors in a student’s own work (as Barthalomae suggests) is the best way to address grammar and sentence-level concerns.
Helping students to understand the impact of grammar is a teaching process. Personally, I would begin by identifying and explaining the grammatical rule applicable to the error. Writer’s need to understand these rules and concepts so they can avoid future mistakes, but the rules also provide a gateway to understanding the effect of form.
Rhetorical techniques are essentially masterful manipulations of grammar and syntax, and understanding how writing can be manipulated is the first step to mastering rhetorical techniques. After explaining the grammatical basis for correcting the writer’s errors, I would conduct a mini-lesson on rhetoric. Perhaps I would prepare some examples of sentences that contain the same content but are syntactically different. I would go over these examples with the writer, and discuss how form affects reader understanding and interpretation. Does the reader gain something from this sentence that they do not from that sentence?
After the reader appears to understand this concept, I would help them apply it to their writing. I especially like the practice of beginning with the most basic sentence structure to convey an idea, and then adjusting to add depth or flourish. What idea are you trying to get across here? What is the simplest way to convey this idea? How can we adjust syntax or diction to more effectively convey this idea?
I plan on using a similar process to help my future students with their writing, so I think such an approach is perfect for a center purposed to teach about writing.
I hope you can find the personal time with each of your students to accomplish the mission you have set for yourself.
ReplyDeleteOne need not be Henry Watson Fowler to help young people improve their English. I wish you well at it. The task is large and the times challenging.
My own writing can ramble, too, but I try to slow down and consider the impact of the work. Perhaps you can teach your future students the same.