Functional Grammar 101 Foundation Lessons Introducing Functional Grammar

Functional Grammar 101 Foundation Lessons

Introducing Functional Grammar (Grammar in writing--not grammar, then writing) Incorporating Ideas from the following books: • Noden, H. (1999). Image Grammar-Using Grammatical Structures to Teach Writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann • Weaver, C (2008). Grammar to Enrich & Enhance Writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann

Principle #1 1. Focus on grammar almost exclusively within the context of writing (not as a set of rules to be learned, then applied)

Principle #2 • Use examples from published authors to identify how detail is added to make writing come alive

Principle #3 • Allow grammar and language “to be played with, toyed with, bent, expanded, crafted, enjoyed” (Weaver, 2008, p. 92).

Detailed 1 st Lesson • Writing skill learned • Preparing to from reading write: – Criteria for good writing – Analysis of Exceptional authors – Imitating authors’ styles – Specific purpose – Audience analysis – Organizing information – Practice writing from your life story

Detailed 2 nd Lesson • Studying the • Creating special components of a effects with document punctuation – Paragraphs – Punctuation’s purpose • Transitions & hierarchy • Repetition – Semi-colons as used • Parallel structure by ML King, Jr. – Phrases – Conquering the • Labeling each vs comma “applying phrases as – Practice writing brush strokes” from your life story – Words • Word choices • Wordiness • Abstract vs concrete

Detailed 3 rd Lesson • Using material • Revising created by others assignments to be – Plagiarism accurate, concise – Paraphrases, & vivid summaries, personal – Sentence expanding interpretation and combining • Practice using – Compare a famous excerpts from original to a famous works simplified version – Crediting author using APA Style • Practice integrating sources into body

Overview—A Glimpse of Good Writing v Discovering Standards: What’s Good Writing? Choose favorite style from 6 published writers v Define and explore authors’ stylistic choices v Use Ben Franklin’s approach to imitating the style of professional writers. o Imitate the style of one of your favorite authors Study a paragraph; note the key points; set the original aside and write the paragraph; compare.

The Components of a Document Phrases Contrast labeling phrases in the Garden of Phrases with Harry Noden’s process for using phrases in writing with brush strokes Words v v Use words clearly and vividly Practice painting word pictures by describing an abstract painting

Dawkins' Punctuation Hierarchy (from Image Grammar) Maximum Separation (the period) Example: I looked up. And there she stood. Medium Separation, Emphatic (the dash) Example: I looked up---and there she stood. Medium Separation, Anticipatory (the colon) Example: I looked up: And there she stood. Medium Separation (the semicolon) Example: I looked up; and there she stood. Minimum Separation (the comma) Example: I looked up, and there she stood. Zero Separation Example: I looked up and there she stood.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. Abraham Lincoln, 11 -19 -1863 ________ We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for the soldiers who were killed here. It is certainly appropriate that we do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, consecrate, or hallow this ground. The brave men who struggled here did it better than we could. The world will quickly forget our statements, but it can never forget the fighting that occurred here. My revision, Fall 2006

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