The "Unimportance" of Grammar

As an educator for over 20 years, the way we teach children to write has changed dramatically.

Years ago, grammar was taught faithfully and students were expected to diagram sentences and know and identify the different parts of speech. Essays were written with introductions, a body of about three paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. Students were prepared to write their research papers, and eventually their college application essays.

So, what has changed?

With the continuing evolution of technology and the unending changes to the way we communicate on social media and on our phones, we have developed a new language. We use a lowercase “I” and use the letter “u” to represent “you”. This is just one type of change we have experienced. We take words and tie them together into a letter statement. For example, ‘shaking my head” becomes “smh”. You must keep up with all these changes if you are to understand what people are saying to you.

As society focuses on social media more and more, I notice not only shortened words and phrases but people can no longer spell or write grammatically correct sentences when making posts. Is it because they are just rushed and eager to post (and press send) that we are not taking time to look at our writing before it is front of everyone. As an educator who has taught students to write using paper and markers to edit, and rewrite and edit and rewrite until it is perfect, I sometimes have difficulty with this new philosophy.

Current writing programs to teach children will focus on them using their creativity and letting the words flow. I believe this is the most important part of being a good, and hopefully, a great writer. However, this is just to get our thoughts on paper and not lose our train of thought to take time to correct anything. This is the way we should be writing; however, we should go back a few times to correct our work and even have someone else look at it before it is read by anyone else or “published”.

In teaching writing now, I have my students draw their story first to get all their creative ideas on paper before they lose them. I tell students they can include words with their pictures, whatever helps them to recall the story they are creating when it is time to sit and write it. Then, after the sketching is done, a first draft should be written without paying attention to spelling, grammar or mechanics. Just let your thoughts flow!

But writing cannot stop here. We cannot continue to ignore the importance of grammar and spelling and mechanics if we want to be successful in the world and in a career. So, when you sit down and write an email you don’t just spill what’s on your mind and press send. You review your writing; you correct spelling and make sure it is grammatically correct.

I believe that even though we are getting less critical about grammar in school during primary grades learning, it is imperative that students learn the correct way to write so that they carry this training through their lives and hopefully to college and a successful career. Yes, they can use those abbreviated words and phrases when talking to their friends, but they should be ready to remember the seriousness of a good piece of grammatically correct writing. When a future employer or client reads your email that is the first impression, they will get of you, so make it a good one. Pay attention to your writing skills and remember when it is ok to write in our new funny texting language and when it is not. We cannot let the “unimportance” given to grammar lately drive us to a future of inadequate writers.

Be proud of your writing!

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