Re: grammar and thinking (fwd)
WILL HOCHMAN (hochman@uscolo.edu)
Wed, 15 Apr 1998 10:24:25 -0600 (MDT)
I thought this was too well said not to add to the fire...will
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 04:36:02 -0500
From: keith rhodes <krhodes@ACAD.NWMISSOURI.EDU>
Reply-To: Writing Program Administration <WPA-L@ASUVM.INRE.ASU.EDU>
To: WPA-L@ASUVM.INRE.ASU.EDU
Subject: Re: grammar and thinking
The hostility to grammar comes from the conflict between its proven
ineffectiveness as a direct method for teaching better writing on the one
hand and on the other hand the popular demand that we writing teachers
should nevertheless do more grammar drills to "cure" badd usage. The
connection between grammar, propositional statement and better thinking does
have more to recommend it, but that's not how the subject is usually raised.
Even there, I'm not sure I've ever seen a strong correlation between overt
grammar knowledge and better thinking--though the connection between better
propositional statement and better thinking is not hard to grasp.
Any evidence out there that grammar knowledge enhances critical thinking?
Is this the key to resolving the Grammar Wars?
Keith Rhodes, Coordinator of Composition, 816-562-1860
Department of English, Colden Hall
Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO 64468
mailto:krhodes@acad.nwmissouri.edu | http://www.nwmissouri.edu/~krhodes
Visit the updated CCCC '97 Outcomes Forum website at
http://www.nwmissouri.edu/~0500202/outcomes/main.html