Conquering Your Worst Grammar Problem

This week, you will begin a short research project in which you learn to conquer your worst grammar problem.

Begin this process by:

1) Reviewing my two previous blog entries on Kaizen and the notion that if you can learn to conquer your worst grammar problem, you can take on the next and the next until grammar is no longer an issue in your writing. As you look for motivation to complete the research and work on your problem, think of the confidence you will gain in your voice as a writer everytime you put a grammar problem behind you.

2) Review the error list your group provided you while proofreading your King essay. From this list, pick what you consider your most pressing grammar or usage problem. This is the one on which you want to work. Pick only a single problem on which to work. Remember, one of the principles of Kaizen is to focus on incorporating one change at a time. You give this change all the attention you can until it is behind you. Then and only then do you move on to the next problem.

3) Read my previous post on "Grammar and Usage Resources." Your goal is to find out what the various resources have to say about your problem. At this step, it is essential you take notes. For each note you take, record the URL of the site you are visiting. Take notes on which of the sites you consider most useful in figuring out how to recognize and fix the problem on which you are working. Also note essential terms or ideas someone with your problem needs to learn. Finally, note the advice or examples you find useful in figuring out your problem.

4) Go back through several pieces of your work this semester. For instance, you might look at early drafts of your King essay or some of your rhetorical analysis. Look for at least five examples of the grammar or usage problem on which you are working. Again take notes on where you find these examples, and write down each example.

5) Using the grammar or usage resources I provided in my last blog post. Figure out how to correct your five examples. Stopping by a Reynolds Academic Support Center and getting tutorial help may help you sold your problem, but I'm betting you can figure out your problem using the online resources I provide and carefully and slowly reading the handouts and sites which address your problem.

I will provide extra credit if you take the time to find additional resources for working on your grammar problem. A good search tactic here is to google a term associated with your grammar problem, like "run-on sentences," "sentence fragments," etc.

You might also google the term "Writing Center" and your problem. Most universities have writing centers, that is, a place students can go to received help or download information on writing. In any event, to receive extra credit, you might visit a couple of writing centers and see if they provide handouts on your problem. To receive the extra credit, use the class email discussion list to share the sites you find. In your post describing the site, tell the class what you found on your problem and what you found useful in recognizing and fixing it.

Comple this assignment by Sunday, 16 November.

Additional notes:

1) Identify and research only one grammar problem.
2) Do take notes on the sites you visit and the examples you find in your own writing. You'll be using these in a later assignment. You can share these notes when you turn in your portfolio. To learn about taking research notes, follow this link:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/notes.html

3) Notice the URL of the link on research notes takes you to the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University. It's a great site for getting handouts on almost anything connected to academic writing.
4) Don't forget you have your group members and me to provide help.

Steve