Can we really teach writing? | Gray Scott | TEDxTWU

Society tends to conflate writing and grammar. So it’s no wonder then that teachers often focus on grammar when teaching writing. But longstanding research suggests such a focus is detrimental in learning to write. Research also points to effective writing pedagogies, but the community of writing teachers’ general disdain for quantitative analysis has obscured widespread adoption of these pedagogical methods.

Gray Scott runs the first-year composition program at Texas Woman's University, where he also teaches writing and writing pedagogy. A contributor to four editions of the ST. MARTIN'S GUIDE TO WRITING textbook, he studies writing assessment as well as on the impacts of academic dishonesty and stereotype threat on the development of writing skills. Before pursuing his PhD at the University of California, Riverside, he was a journalist and newspaper editor.

[vallovii]

Teaching writing involves more than grammar, it requires engaging students in ideas and organization to improve their skills effectively.

[thelordbepraised]

English grammar is not a priority; this is the reason why since 1975 college students have had to prove that they could write at college level by their junior year. This is also the reason why college course catalogs are filled with high school composition classes in the first year. Most students entering college do not know how to write an understandable and concise essay. Not only do they no longer teach formal grammar, but no structure is required at all; they just pass them along to the next institution until the student finds out that he's been shuffled into the acceptance of his acquired ignorance.

[johng.maguire]

Of course writing can be taught, just like swimming and golf and reading can be taught. The first step is one most writing teachers never seriously take--to understand that writing is a behavior. Writing is a behavior and a skill, like swimming. It should be taught the way swimming is taught--with behavioral measurable goals. But so few teachers have a clue about how to do that. About 975 teachers in 1000 misunderstand what writing is and how it works. The field of rhetoric is not an honest one, which makes the field completely stagnant. Honest discussion and challenge is unknown in it. (If you think the field is honest, name a journal you can honestly say starts and covers controversies in writing instruction. Just name one.)

[SanusiAzhari-iu]

Yeah, teaching writing should not solely focus on grammar, making it a minefield that will teach students to hate writing. But on the other hand, students need to learn how to write a sentence that doesn't trip the reader up. We have grammatical and punctuation rules for a reason: to promote ease of communication. I think software like Grammarly and Prowritingaid will help students navigate such rules and focus instead on thinking, style, and expression. We know that writing and thinking clearly are linked, so teaching writing well is vital for good critical thinking skills. But ultimately, someone, at some state of the educational journey, needs to teach grammar.

[fionabarnes]

Of course teaching writing should not solely focus on grammar, making it a minefield that will teach students to hate writing. But on the other hand, students need to learn how to write a sentence that doesn't trip the reader up. We have grammatical and punctuation rules for a reason: to promote ease of communication. I think software like Grammarly and Prowritingaid will help students navigate such rules and focus instead on thinking, style, and expression. We know that writing and thinking clearly are linked, so teaching writing well is vital for good critical thinking skills. But ultimately, someone, at some state of the educational journey, needs to teach grammar.

[bertiepimplebum]

I'm British. Educated in a Secondary Modern 1960's school, I left without the ability to write a five word sentence that didn't have mistakes in it.
I purchased many teach-yourself grammar books. Two are excellent, the Dummies Teach Yourself Grammar UK or USA versions and for British people, Smashing Grammar by Craig Shrives.

[kenjehovasah]

The learning gain measurements are based on what? Is this valid with English language learners? A lot of vaguely, but I like teaching this way he describes in the Sagr study. Whole language style...it’s more natural and not so mechanical. It is an easier way for the teacher and students alike. It also makes learning joyful. However, this study is lacking in any kind of certainty.

[yegalahat]

Of course teaching writing should not solely focus on grammar, making it a minefield that will teach students to hate writing. But on the other hand, students need to learn how to write a sentence that doesn't trip the reader up. We have grammatical and punctuation rules for a reason: to promote ease of communication. I think software like Grammarly and Prowritingaid will help students navigate such rules and focus instead on thinking, style, and expression. We know that writing and thinking clearly are linked, so teaching writing well is vital for good critical thinking skills. But ultimately, someone, at some state of the educational journey, needs to teach grammar.