I majored in English in college. I taught English grammar to elementary and middle school students. I’m immersed in the rules of written English every day while editing. Grammar rules are important. Just like standards set the foundation for effective teaching, grammar rules set the foundation for effective communication.
As a former teacher, I’ve heard the following question many times: Why do we need to know this? During a third-grade handwriting lesson, a student once said to me that he didn’t need to learn how to have nice handwriting. When I asked him why, he said, “Because I’m going to be a doctor when I grow up.” I didn’t understand his reasoning. He explained, “My mom always says she can’t read the doctor’s handwriting.” His rationale made me laugh. I helped him understand what might be better if that doctor’s handwriting was legible: time saved, less confusion, and errors avoided. A task that once seemed unnecessary to him became more appealing when he was able to see its importance.
It can be difficult to see the bigger picture of why something is important to learn. Rules can seem like obstacles, but they’re created to make things easier.
Teachers have rules that guide the framework of each lesson. These rules are standards that are outlined by the state. They define concepts and skills that students should learn. They ensure that high expectations are set for all students, and they provide consistency, accountability, and equity. What would happen if there were no standards in teaching? Some students wouldn’t have the chance to learn certain concepts, and teaching would be less effective than it could be. A teacher’s goal is to guide students in gaining the knowledge they must acquire at that grade level; standards help teachers do this.
Your goal when writing? To communicate your message clearly and effectively. Grammar rules help you do this. What would happen to communication if there were no grammar rules? Communication would suffer. Readers would be confused and frustrated. Messages would be lost. Rules are necessary for effective communication; standards are necessary for effective teaching. Without standards, students would be at a disadvantage; without grammar rules, readers would be at a disadvantage.
It’s important to have strong communication skills. I wanted my students to learn to communicate effectively because I knew it would help them in life: academically, personally, and professionally.
Correct grammar helps readers understand. It unifies the English language, just as standards unify students in their level of knowledge. Standards make teaching more effective. Grammar rules make communication more effective.
Help your readers avoid the confusion that comes with poor communication: follow grammar rules.
