Attack of the Grammarians!

While searching for this week’s blog topic poynter’s
writer self-help section beckoned.
I want to discuss the essential but often ignored-

 GRAMMAR.

This blog post written by Roy Peter Clark deals with
his admiration for another writer, essayist David
Foster Wallace. I am beginning to wonder if I should
be using my first middle and last names when I write.
Wallace asserts that all writers want to use the
written word to communicate their ideas with
confidence and grace. Wallace writes,“…some people
still want to use the language well... to use the
language deftly so that it's fit for their purposes.”

Clark agrees so vehemently that he wishes he had
written about this subject in such a succinct and
intelligent manner. Clark is interested in using
grammar to engage the audience so that they can’t
help but read further. A  hook is what we all need
in our pieces. Wallace and Clark know that the way
you represent yourself on paper is important.
Your ability to write says volumes about your
intelligence and ideas.

When I was a Master Student of English tutor,
I told anyone who would listen that the true
test of any piece of writing is that it be
understood strictly based upon what is written
on the page with no verbal or further
explanation from the author. Written work
should be able to stand alone and live a life
beyond the author if he or she has done their
job by completing a thought.

The problem for many people is that when they
write,they can not let go of their reliance
on verbal communication. Many people write
in the same manner in which they speak and
while I do respect the fact thatlanguage
is a fluid and evolving entity-there is
a structure to which every written language
adheres. There is a standard not only for
grammar but also for spelling and
other components of written communication.

We study masterworks that sometimes innovate
or deviate from the normal grammar like
e.e. Cummings'I am a small i poetry,or
departures from the normal form of written
artistry like prose poetry. So sometimes
artists can develop their own style and break
from convention but for everyday people,
there are rules of engagement.

In my current duties as a copy editor,
I am learning more structure from the periodical
based Associated Press style for journalism. 
But, the majority of errors I correct in my
own writing and for others lie in grammar,
spelling and normal sentence construction.  
I wish all aspiring writers were attentive
to errors in grammar and edited their work
before submitting it for publication.

A tool I use to edit more effectively is to
 read each sentence aloud (in my head) to
better identify errors. Also, leaving a piece
to mature for a few hours and then reading it
again helps maintain objectivity within the
editing process of my own work.

Do you have a tip for editing or do you work
to improve your grammar and/or writing?