Diagram of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution 5

[Michael52x]

I actually refused to do it. My written work was stellar, and my teacher knew that I was way beyond the curve.
I would not discuss my sculpture either. It said all there was to say.

"Impatience will reward you with dissatisfaction" RMS Cosmics'97

 

[ESquared]

I loved sentence diagramming. It brought order to language and gave me a tool to analyze it, when I needed it.

 

[SantaMufasa]

Erik, Hava

for expressing my sentiments exactly, about sentence diagramming.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[mjldba]

Diagramming sentences is old school waterboarding.

 

[flapeyre]

Diagramming sentences is old school waterboarding.

It helps you to understand the structure of the sentence, and how the parts of speech are used. The result is clarity of expression is both the written and spoken word.

Da mihi sis crustum Etruscum cum omnibus in eo.

 

[SantaMufasa]

I guess this is one of those cases where, regarding diagramming, "You either love it, or you hate it."

I know that to some, what I'm going to say is heresy, but perhaps reactions to sentence diagramming (for detractors) may be rather like my emotions toward fishing...I hate baiting hooks; I hate standing, nearly motionless and silent, for hours out in the cold and wet; I hate cleaning the fish; I hate spending money to make all of that happen.

Yet, for others, as they say, "The worst day fishing is better than the best day working." <grin>

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[mjldba]

When I put pen to paper, or in this case fingers on keys, I focus on the content of what I have to say rather than the structure. Yes, I'll make errors in grammar and syntax because my style will never be confused with William Buckley's but, ultimately, my message will be understood.

I try to learn from my mistakes and avoid repeating them while picking-up some clever wordplay from others, contributors to this forum included.

When I call someone I never think about the switches, routers, and wiring involved to complete & sustain the call and when I start my car I never think about all the moving parts and electrical polly-razamatazz going on under the hood ... guess I like to keep things simple.

When message sent = message received I've accomplished my goal of communicating with another individual.

 

[ESquared]

mjldba,

While I agree with you substantially, there is still something to be said for style and for ease of reading.

There is a material difference between the communication power of easy flowing & well-written language, and poorly written ungrammatical language, even if they are ultimately conveying the same thing.

 

[mjldba]

agreed ESquared.

Guess I like to position my personal style somewhere between polished professional-style writing and texting-style writing, but leaning heavily towards professional.

I cannot read sentences lacking in capitalization and punctuation, it just drives my brain nuts and there is no hope for the point to be made on content alone.

 

[ESquared]

I've always thought of it as the poor grammar (and style, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling) being like potholes in the road. You can still get there, but it's not as fast or enjoyable, and you might have more people bail out on the trip partway through than if it was smooth.

 

[ProfReynolds]

Well stated ESquared.

I have to admit, one of my biggest pet-peeves is reading a newspaper or magazine article full of grammatical error. Seems to me, the ability to use such things as a comma or semicolon should be a prerequisite for a writing job. But then, that's just my opinion.