Skill with Words: Grammar and Writing
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Main Notes
- English as a subject often drops out of high school schedules in classical programs
- Reading and writing are skills that cut across the entire curriculum
- Ninth graders often lack complete grasp of grammar, syntax, and usage
- Middle-grade language topics change in high school
- In the rhetoric stage, students begin to apply knowledge and skills acquired in first eight years
- Basic skills can be eliminated as specific subjects of study once mastered
- Focus shifts from acquiring skills to using them
- Suggests keeping a single language reference notebook for four years of high school
- Notebook divided into Words and Grammar sections
- Spelling and word study should continue until finished
- Formal spelling work unnecessary for ninth graders who have followed previous program
- Vocabulary acquisition comes 'on the job' through reading and writing
- Grammar study should continue through at least tenth grade
- Grammar principles should be regularly reviewed in junior and senior years
- Grammar, usage, and mechanics must become automatic for mature reading and writing
- Reading in rhetoric stage is centered around study of great books
- Writing in rhetoric stage includes essays across curriculum and study of rhetorical techniques
- Recommends using William Strunk and E. B. White's 'The Elements of Style' as a reference
- Provides suggested schedules for ninth through twelfth grades
- Offers guidance on how to put courses on high school transcript
- Provides extensive list of resources for word study, grammar, and writing
Cue Column
- Why does English as a subject often drop out in high school?
- What is the main assumption about ninth graders' skills?
- How does the focus of language skills change in the rhetoric stage?
- What is the purpose of the language reference notebook?
- How should spelling and vocabulary be approached in high school?
- Why is continued grammar study important in high school?
- How is reading integrated into the rhetoric stage curriculum?
- What are the two main components of rhetoric-stage writing?
- Why is 'The Elements of Style' recommended?
- How should the curriculum be adjusted for students needing to catch up?
- What credit options are available for grammar and composition courses?
- How does the suggested schedule change from ninth to twelfth grade?
- What resources are recommended for word study?
- Which grammar programs are suggested for high school students?
- What options are available for students who struggle with writing?
Summary
This chapter discusses the approach to grammar and writing skills in the high school years of a classical education. It emphasizes that while reading and writing are integrated across all subjects, many ninth graders still need focused instruction in grammar, syntax, and usage. The chapter outlines a transition from the acquisition of basic skills to their application in more advanced contexts.
The author recommends maintaining a language reference notebook throughout high school, divided into sections for words and grammar. Spelling and vocabulary work should continue as needed, with a shift towards 'on the job' learning through extensive reading and writing. Grammar study is advised to continue through at least tenth grade, with ongoing review in later years to ensure these skills become automatic.
The rhetoric stage focuses on studying great books and applying writing skills across all subjects. The chapter provides a suggested schedule for each year of high school, recommendations for transcript entries, and an extensive list of resources for word study, grammar, and writing instruction. It also offers guidance for students who may need to catch up on basic writing skills before progressing to rhetoric-level work.
Action Items
- Divide the notebook into two sections: Words and Grammar
- Use this notebook for all four years of high school
- Finish the word study program recommended for logic-stage students
- Keep a list of consistently troublesome words in the Words section of the notebook
- Copy unfamiliar words from reading into the Words section of the notebook
- Include pronunciation, origin, definition, and the sentence in which the word is used
- Use a dictionary (unabridged if possible) and Roget's Thesaurus as reference works
- Study grammar formally through at least tenth grade
- Spend around 30 minutes per day, 4 days per week on grammar skills in 9th and 10th grade
- Reduce time spent on grammar in 11th and 12th grade, focusing on review
- Keep a list of troublesome grammar rules and principles in the Grammar section of the notebook
- Write essays all year in each subject across the curriculum
- Study rhetorical techniques as described in the previous chapter
- Purchase and regularly refer to 'The Elements of Style' by Strunk and White
- Reread 'The Elements of Style' at the beginning of each year, taking notes
- 9th grade: Finish word study, formal grammar, rhetoric, read Elements of Style
- 10th grade: Continue formal grammar, rhetoric, reread Elements of Style
- 11th grade: Use English handbook, continue rhetoric, reread Elements of Style
- 12th grade: Use English handbook, continue rhetoric, reread Elements of Style