WRITING 2002
The Sentence in English
Though formal knowledge of English grammar is not always necessary for effective writing, learning it can help students understand how sentences are put together, and it can allow them to develop their own writing using a new set of skills. The Reed-Kellogg system of diagramming is a method of learning grammar by creating pictures, or maps, of sentences. These pictures show the logical relations between words, phrases, and clauses, and they illustrate the choices writers are making as they craft individual sentences. Using a recent textbook by Eugene Moutoux, we will learn to diagram sentences both famous and ordinary, both contemporary and of historical interest. Our aims will be (1) to learn both the rules and the peculiarities of English grammar, (2) to understand how the structure of a sentence can influence its meaning, and (3) to use this knowledge productively in crafting and revising our own prose. By the end of the course, students should be able to diagram just about any sentence in English, whatever the genre or time period, including their own. Extensive practice in writing and revising sentences will give students a consciousness of how grammar and syntax influence the meaning and effectiveness of their own writing.
Instructors
Reviews
I took this class online during COVID in SP2021 semester. The class was pretty easy and we did lots of sentence diagramming. What I mostly remember though is how I was going through a really hard time at that point in my life, and Jennifer was incredibly supportive. And I still think of it 3 years later, which is why I am now writing this review.
5/2/2024
Professor Arch is a phenomenal instructor. Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable, she is also enthusiastic about the material. She wants you to learn it, not necessarily get everything 100% correct, so that being said her grading is very fair. If grammar and sentence structure excites you in any way, take this wonderful class.
12/6/2023
Prof. Arch is fabulous! The Sentence in English is a joy to take; if the idea of lots of drawing and learning terms like "adverbial objective" tickles your fancy, enroll! The quizzes are graded fairly. The class is a bit reading heavy in the first half of the semester, but calms down as you get into the self-analysis projects. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
11/29/2023
I took this class off a whim and it ended up being the class I learned the most from. Prof Arch is very passionate about sentence structure. There are quizzes every week to make sure you are digesting the content. You always get feedback on your quizzes and papers so it is clear what grade you should receive at the end of the semester.
5/18/2022
Professor Arch is the best writing professor I have ever had, and the only negative thing I can possibly say about her is that thanks to her, it'll really suck whenever I have to take a writing class with another professor. I don't think any other class could have changed how I view writing in such a positive way. Try sentence diagramming! Do it!
8/28/2019
Arch is awesome; I wasn't sure what to expect from the class (if I would even learn anything) but she made sentence diagramming meaningful and interesting. The class is pretty easy, too. Deep down she is a nerd, and it's great. She's good at leading discussions and bringing up interesting questions. She values students' opinions. Great professor!
5/12/2016