Ideas for Incorporating Grammar and Attribution Exercises

E. Siler

Definitions

• Grammar: a loose term that refers to language, structure, word choice and mechanics and punctuation. Synonym: “language issues.”

• Attribution: another loose term that refers to paraphrase, quotation, summary, documentation of sources. Synonym: “avoidance of plagiarism.”

Pedagogical Principles

• Address both daily, or at least several times a week.

• For the most part, keep lessons very short and wherever possible built upon materials you are actually using (or papers the students have actually written).

• Avoid “a grammar lecture” or “a plagiarism lesson” --- it can be overwhelming and little is absorbed.

Grammar• Focus on errors that everybody is making, rather than focusing on

standard topics. • Choose one or two sentences that show the error. Underline

three places in each sentence, two good ones and one with the error. Have them select the one with the error.

• Focus on getting these points across: Where is the error? Why is this an error? How could this error be fixed? What do we call this type of error? How do I mark this type of error? Where can I learn more about this type of error?

• Refuse to engage in lengthy discussions of grammar. Students will try to sidetrack you on this --- and your job is to tell them “This grammar minute is over --- but if you have further questions, email me, okay?”

Example

• However, the characteristics result in leading position of Chinese industry have been changing. – Where is the error? Have been changing– Why is this an error? After a preposition (in) a verb form

should be in the –ing form. We don’t put finite clauses after prepositions in English.

– How could this error be fixed? Have been changing > changing – What do we call this type of error? Verb form error– How do I mark this type of error? VB – Where can I learn more about this type of error? (handbook,

dictionary, etc.).

Grammar Resources• If you use a handbook (remember you are free to do so/ not do so)

familiarize yourself with the ESL/Multi-lingual section.• The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English is excellent (

www.ldoceonline.com) and there is an app for it for cell phones. Students should be shown how to use it. Here is a link to some lessons: https://sites.google.com/site/esllinksandmaterials/the-dictionary-center-1

• This Grammar Page: https://sites.google.com/site/esllinksandmaterials/Home/learning-resources/the-grammar-page

• Final point: you can always text me/email a question and I’ll answer it.

Attribution

• Focus on the material you use.• Do some “point out” lessons and some “find

it” lessons and some “rewrite” lessons.

Example

• Consider the article linked here. http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/orcas-vs-sperm-whales/

• Suppose you were going to have your students read it.

Simple Attribution Activities

• Have students find:– The author– The date of publication– The venue in which this was published

• Have students write:– An MLA style citation for the article – An MLA style citation for the film

More Difficult Activities

Ask student to tell you who said:“He grabbed his camera and slid off the back into the frenzy. We had no

idea what was going to happen to him and we hoped for the best. When I saw he wasn’t eaten, I jumped in after him.”

And who said:Though the underwater footage is compelling, some of the above-

surface images illustrate the apparent anguish among the six or seven sperm whales under assault, in what was an attempt by an equal number of killer whales to separate a juvenile sperm whale from the pod.

• Then work on how to paraphrase and cite these.• Resource:

http://www.slideshare.net/ElizabethSiler/successful-paraphrasing1-21702227

Difficult Activities

• Have students watch and write a summary of the video.

• Have students read this piece and paraphrase it while incorporating a small piece of the original in quotes: “We observed the family of sperm whales regroup and charge eastward as the orcas briefly gave chase then peeled off. And then it was all over,” Heinrich concluded. “For me, this was without a doubt the most incredible encounter I had ever experienced in the oceans, and something I will never forget.”