As an ESL instructor, I teach my students how passive is formed.  The actual use of it seldom become meaningful until they see the use or mis-use of it in something that they they have written.  Once they understand how it is formed, then it's much easier when conferencing with them for me to ask them to identify it in their own work and ask them why they are using it.  Also, I can point out places where the passive could be effectively used and help them understand why.  I have found that using their writing as "foder," for "learning" is a particularly meaningful way to help them internalize.
 
Dave
Bellingham, WA

________________________________

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar on behalf of Patricia Lafayllve
Sent: Fri 2/6/2009 9:34 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Recognition of passives



Dick wrote:

As a writing teacher as well as a grammar teacher, I'd like to raise the
larger question: Should we be training students to think passives are
automatically bad and always to be avoided?

I say:
Personally, I think it might be more effective to teach students WHEN
passives should be avoided, as well as when they might be precisely what
will best serve the writing.

Easier said than done, I know, but I guess that's my answer to what might be
a thorny question.

-patty

To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/

To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/