They're worth a lot to me. I agree with most of them, but I would combine the two verb ones and include one I know will be controversial with this group: a comma before "and" in a series. Omitting the comma can lead to sentences with two different meanings. Also, I'd replace shifts in person with misplaced modifiers. Any other opinions? 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 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 ************** Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 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/ _____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=51733/*http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8 HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ> it now. 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/