Summary 10/31

Teaching about sentences. Sentences are the basic method of speech just a little more complex the just a few words put together. But, it seems that people naturally talk and think in sentences. Like people talking to themselves in sentences. But, normally our sentences are short and easy. And the use of complex sentences is rare. But, a problem with our current way of teaching about sentences is we study the terminology for the types of words. Examples of this are past participial phrase, verb, and noun. We do not study how we are suppose to put the words together. Yes, we were taught that nouns go with verbs of action, but we were not taught that methods to make pretty ornate sentences. This lack of guidance and the risk attached to what happens when we fail to properly use complex sentences. This means that all too often people write has they speak. This chapter also covers sentences combining. The ability to write one complex sentence with the same information has multiple simple sentences. Or the ability to make a paragraph out of smaller bits of information. Christensen gave for principles for sentences. First, composition is addition. Second, "principles of modification." (Modification of words) Third, what ever we add can make the sentence weaker or stronger. Last, "principle of texture." (Is the final work good or crap)

These principles are nice in the book. I can't remember the terms for the parts of a sentence. And this chapter complains about the teaching of terms. For example I was lost on page 172. I have never even heard the word appositives. Also this chapter/book is mainly for people who are going to teach English. I am not going to be an English teacher. Although some of this can help me it a history class when I have them writes essays or reports. This will help me to at least attempt to reinforce what they learn in English class.