Understanding Grammar Pt. 2

In my first blog, I explained how I was worried about my over-usage of commas, and how I thought I was good at grammar, but knew that I needed work - and oh boy, did I need the work. Until Barbara's class, everything I had known about grammar was techniques that I had gathered by myself by looking at other people's writing (AAAWWUBBIS). In school, no one ever taught me grammar - at least not the correct way, or in a way I understood (dash). Barbara's class, the only class that one can have ridiculous amounts of fun in, has taught me how to identify, clarify, and utilize grammar terms and techniques. And as a result, my writing has improved not only grammatically, but syntactically. Instead of sticking to what I know, I take the risk of using different types of grammar structures, and some things have permanently stuck with me since class(like introductory clauses, and using a comma before and).

Even though at times this class gave me a headache, it paid off. Not only did it improve my writing, a lot of the discussions we had in class would carry to the bus stop. One discussion in particular, was using "lively verbs" to improve the quality of one's writing. I believe this discussion followed after the Lanham Method. The point is, the "lively verb" discussion stuck with me, and I now use it to improve not only my structured writing, but my creative writing as well. Take these two excerpts from my essays for example:

1.Creative Writing Sample
Taking a deep breath, I sit up and swing my legs around to the side of the bed. The room starts to spin in slow, irregular circles, and I get the sensation I might pass out. I grab a pillow and clutch it to my chest with both hands, squeezing it as hard as I can to remind myself that it was only a dream. I had to hold on to something while the collision of my dream and my world spun out of control(Lanham w/ "lively verbs").
2. Structured Writing Sample
In the preface to The Picture of Dorian Grey, Oscar Wilde declares, “vice and virtue are to the artist materials for an art” (4). Exploring this idea in the novel, Wilde tells the story of its main character’s decent into total decadence (Lanham w/ "lively verbs"). Some years after Wilde’s publication, segments from the novel were used to describe his homosexuality as a vice, more than a mere reflection. However, the novel uses homosexual bonds to explore larger aesthetic values about the nature of art.

Just by using "lively verbs," my sentences stand out, flow well, and draw the reader in. This one discussion, and technique has stuck with me, and has shown me that I can be a good writer if I vamp up my essays with good verbs. It's made writing fun!

However, it's not just my required writing that has improved, my short letters and emails have completely shifted as well. Anytime that I do something that I learned from grammar class, I always add at the end, "Barbara would be proud." Like Melissa shared in her blog, check out this Facebook comment:




Though there is much more to grammar than "lively verbs," introductory clauses, and comma usage, I feel for me, those are what stuck, and what I use most. I learned a lot of other terms and techniques that I would have never understood before this class (for example: who/whom). I feel comfortable working with grammar now, and using it in my writing - even if it is for exploration. Taking the dive and trying new things out has really improved my writing style and skill (dash). In addition, I feel so comfortable with some of the terms, that I could/can teach them to my peers and others - with explanation - which is something I could never do before (dash/intro clause). So thank you, Barbara, for composing a class that was actually useful to me, and making it fun!