>Having done a little sketching of an alternative diagram for
>passives, I find it difficult to find a satisfactory alternative
>using a Reed-Kellogg format.     Is such an major inconsistency good reason
>for abandoning the system altogether?  Are there any good reasons for
>using the system at all?
>
>
 
 
I'm sure many people would say the Reed-Kellogg format if not diagramming
in general should be tossed out for many reasons, but I would disagree.  In
particular, I think the inconsistency you point out (and that I can'
explain either!) is no reason to toss out the whole thing.  First, I'm not
sure it's a "major" inconsistency in terms of the effects on students; it
may not send an appropriate message, but I can't tell that my grammar
students are confused about questions, underlying sentences, or surface
structures because of this inconsistency.  Second, I think if there's a
problem w/ any system (and they all have them) the problem should be
addressed rather than discarding the system.  By addressing, perhaps there
could be a modification, or-as I find myself doing--simply telling students
that the system is flawed in some ways, thereby alerting them to the fact
that there is a problem.
 
Larry Beason,Director
English Composition Program
Dept. of English
Eastern Washington University
Cheney WA 99004
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