Writing Mechanics

Grammar

Grammar
When we say grammar, we mean actually several thingso Forming effective sentences o Grammar and usage o Spelling o Punctuation o Capitalization These topics are extremely challenging for adult learners. However, they are necessary to pass the GED tests and succeed in postsecondary education and the workplace.

Remember!
Remind your adult learner that if he or she speaks the English language in a way that others can understand, he or she WILL be able to learn the basic rules of the language.

What to teach?
Begin your instruction with the end in mind what does your adult learner need to know?

Mechanics
o Capitalization including proper names and adjectives, titles and months and seasons o Punctuation including commas in a series, commas between independent clauses joined by a conjunction, introductory elements, appositives, and overuse of commas
o Spelling restricted to errors related to possessives, contractions, and homonyms only

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Usage
o Subject-Verb Agreement including agreement in number, interrupting phrases and inverted structure

o Verb tense errors including sequence of tenses, word clues to tense in sentences, word clues to tense in paragraphs, and verb forms
o Pronoun reference errors including incorrect relative pronouns, pronoun shifts, vague or ambiguous references, and agreements with antecedents

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Sentence Structure
Sentence structure involves sentence fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, improper coordination, and subordination, modification, and parallelism.

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Organization
o Proofreading including editing and revising a document by adding, removing, and repositioning sentences o Effective text divisions including moving paragraphs, forming new paragraphs, and forming new paragraphs within multiparagraph documents, and combining paragraphs to form a more effective document o Structure including topic and supporting sentences o Readability including unity and coherence
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Selecting Resources
Numerous, high quality resources exist both on paper and via websites to support instruction in basic grammar.

However, grammar instruction can be more meaningful if real student writing is utilized. Ask your learner to write sentences, letters, stories, and even essays and use these real life materials to address errors and weaknesses.

Example - Question
Consider if your adult learner wrote this sentence He likes running, swimming, and to do yoga.

What is wrong with this sentence?

Spelling
Punctuation Capitalization

Example - Answer
He likes running, swimming, and to do yoga.
This sentence lacks proper sentence structure. Remember that one of the elements of correct sentence structure is parallelism. This sentence is not parallel. Running and swimming are both gerunds. To do yoga is not. You could use this sentence to provide instruction in parallel construction by asking your adult learner for a strategy to create parallelism. There are several options-

He likes to run, to swim, and to do yoga. He likes running, swimming, and doing yoga.