I have a couple of "sideways" error types in my personal list - things
that don't typically show up on lists of errors, but which lead to
grammar issues; they're more in the "Orwell wing" of language glitches
than the "Warriner wing."

 

1. Not understanding that language choices have to take the context and
audience into account.

2. Choosing words and structures primarily on the basis of their
sounding fancy (e.g., automatically replacing "use" with "utilize")

3. Using words and structures without devoting any conscious thought to
them ("free gift!").

4. Losing track of choices you made earlier in the text (this handles
shifts, but also some usage issues).

 

Bill Spruiell

Dept. of English

Central Michigan University

 

 

 

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carol Morrison
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 3:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Interview Questions/#10-Top Ten Grammatical/Mechanical
Topics

 

Partially based on Connors & Lunsford's study and Hairston's hierarchy
of errors, these are my top 10, not necessarily listed in any order of
increasing or decreasing importance:

 

1) Fragments

2) Run-On or Fused Sentences

3) Subject-Verb agreement

4) Verb Tense (wrong tense or form)

5) Tense shift

6) Shift in Person

7) Pronoun usage

8) Comma Splices

9) Word Usage

10) Parallelism

I actually have a list of 15 grammatical/mechanical/usage concerns, but
these are the top ten, as requested (for what it's worth).

 

Best-

Carol Morrison

Adjunct Professor of English

Bucks County Community College

Delaware Valley College


Linda Comerford <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

	Great questions, Steve!  And here's a challenge for the rest of
you:  I'd be very interested in knowing how all of you would answer his
intriguing Top 10 question.  Any takers?

	 

	 


	 

	Linda Comerford

	317.786.6404

	[log in to unmask]

	www.comerfordconsulting.com
<http://www.comerfordconsulting.com/> 

	 

	 

________________________________

	From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
	Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 1:47 PM
	To: [log in to unmask]
	Subject: Re: Interview Questions?

	Herb,
	
	I think you should ask directly about the candidates's work and
experience.  I am sure you want someone who not only values grammar but
also can teach it well? 
	
	How do you teach grammar as a part of composition? 
	Where and how do you address it?
	What grammatical areas do you find students need help with most
these days?
	How much does grammar count when you grade compositions?
	How do you assess grammatical understanding of your students?
	How would you explain the use of commas in a series to a
student?
	What have you found works with students who seem to have
difficulty understanding a grammatical concept?
	How do you make grammar interesting as many students find it
dull? 
	What do you think are the top 10 grammatical/mechanical topics
students MUST master before they graduate? 
	
	Ask to look at some compositions the candidates have corrected.
Ask to see samples of their own writing.
	
	Etc.
	
	Steve Cohen
	The Allen-Stevenson School
	
	
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