Post-Conference Review
What’s in Store for American Grammar?
by Jo Deyo

At the “What’s in Store for American Grammar” presentation, participants had a chance to hear from a grammar guru and to share their own thoughts about grammar and proper writing.

To consider the future of American grammar, presenter Nancy Tuten, an English professor at Columbia College in South Carolina, first looked back to the history of grammar. Grammar rules did not exist for centuries, but the printing press helped to spur a movement toward standardization.

As Tuten explained in the first theme of her presentation, the only thing certain is change.

American settlers brought English with them from Great Britain, but words and usage of settlers from other nations were incorporated into American grammar and style as well.

Tuten also described the grammar wars in America. At one point, educators used the “drill and (s)kill” method, which focused on isolated grammar rules but without connecting the rules to writing. When educators realized that students need to know how to write, the trend reversed to focus on writing with little instruction or emphasis on grammar rules.

The latest approach is rhetorical grammar, which teaches grammar but integrates it into writing. Other similar approaches are the “WAC” and “WID” educational approaches: Writing across Curriculums and Writing in Disciplines. These approaches provide opportunities for those working in science or other fields to learn how to write effectively for their topics and audiences.

Participants wondered about the impact on grammar of electronic communication, such as e-mail and texting, and speculated whether these modalities will lead to relaxed grammar and writing norms.

Looking ahead, Tuten said that good grammar is still important. And that was illustrated by her second theme: the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Style may change with time and delivery methods, and style may also be particular to any given discipline. But some rules are important for clarity and the logic of a sentence, Tuten noted. She explained that some key elements of writing that are always essential to consider are
• Purpose
• Audience
• Context, and
• Clarity.

Tuten recognized that it’s okay to bend or break some rules. But, she said, some grammar mistakes can be confusing or can change the meaning of a sentence. For example, faulty comparisons or misplaced modifiers can change the meaning of a sentence, or at least confuse the reader. When in doubt, Tuten recommended, it is generally safe to use conservative grammar rules, rather than test the waters with new grammar or usage.

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