Educators do not agree on how to teach grammar. Some people think you shouldn’t teach it; students learn best through reading more. People in this camp think lessons in grammar are a waste of time, and students do not learn this way. On the other hand, some educators think you need to diagram sentences. By learning about the intricacies of grammar, you become a better writer. I’m somewhere in the middle.

When I used to teach in Wisconsin, the English Department approached it through practical lessons in writing. These teachers were fantastic at what they did, and they taught me a lot about grammar and teaching while I was there. Everything they taught, in terms of grammar, was tied to how to write better. I like that approach.

This is the handout I use to talk about the mechanics of writing. I sell it in over-the-top lectures and weird sentences. The following posts will have videos connected for you to use or watch.