Definition :

grammar

is a set of structural rules

that govern the composition of
sentences, phrases, and
words in any given natural
language.
 IMPORTANCE

essential part of writing whether you are

professional writer or just want to write a note to
your friends

good grammar can help you to get your point

across effectively and focuses the attention on what
you have to say
 helps us understand what makes sentences and
paragraphs clear, interesting and precise.

If you are writing with grammatical mistakes

and typos, your readers are going to have a hard
time to understand the content of the text.

When youve taken the time to learn grammar,

it becomes second nature. That means you can
focus more of your attention on other aspects of
your work, like structure, and context.
 1. DESCRIPTIVE VS PRESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR

Descriptive Grammar

refers to the structure of a language as it is actually used by

speakers and writers.

Specialists in descriptive grammar (called linguistics) study

the rules or patterns that underlie our use of words, phrases,
clauses, and sentences.
Prescriptive Grammar

refers to the structure of a language as certain people think

it should be used.

prescriptive grammarians (such as most editors and teachers)

lay out rules about what they believe to be the correct or
incorrect use of language.
 there are specific rules in prescriptive grammar.

example :

Always use different from not different to or

different than.

Never use the passive when you can use the active.

Use shall for the first person and will for second
and third persons.
Example :

Accepted in descriptive grammar but wrong in prescriptive

grammar

Accepted in descriptive grammar and prescriptive grammar

 2. COVERT AND OVERT APPROACHES

Covert

implicit - where the grammatical facts are hidden

Attention drawn to activity not to the grammar

Main aim: to get students to use the language as much as

possible
Overt

explicit - where information is openly presented

Grammatical rules and explanations are provided

 2. GRAMMAR IN ISOLATION VS GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT

Grammar in isolation

- Students more exposed to grammatical forms (syntax)

compare to meaning (semantics and pragmatics)

- For example: Giving worksheets where students are asked

to differentiate between nouns and verbs

-There is no actual connection to student writing.

Grammar in context

-Present language in a context form (recipe, schedule, text

etc.) Words that explain the meaning.

-the focus is not merely on grammatical forms, but also on the

meanings that are reflected by grammatical forms for the
purpose of communication.