University
Writing Skills
Generic Grammar
Prescription Activity
with thanks
to Michael Claridge
When you have identified a
recurring grammar or syntax problem in your writing, try the following:
- Find a newspaper, magazine
or broadcast media site in the World Wide Web (e.g. TIME, CNN, The New
York Times, The Guardian, BBC World).
- Choose an article that interests
you.
- Copy the text of the article
into a Word document. (Highlight the text with the mouse, use CTRL +
C to copy, then CTRL + V to paste the text into Word)
- Make two copies of the text;
you may make two separate Word files or paste the text into the same
document twice.
- Mark (e.g. highlight, change
the color of the text) each instance of the grammar item you want to
practice (e.g. articles/o-articles, present perfect vs past tense).
Limit yourself to one grammar problem per text.
- Without consulting a grammar
book, try to formulate one or more rules to explain the various instances.
- Edit one copy of the text
to delete all instances of the grammar item you want to practice; leave
gaps where the word(s) should be. For example, if you want to practice
definite and indefinite articles, replace all the articles as well as
the o-article slots with gaps. If you are practicing verb tenses, put
the infinitive form of the verb in parentheses next to the blank.
- Save the file and don't
look at it for a week or so.
- Do the exercise you previously
created.
- Compare your results with
the original, unedited version, and consult a grammar book for explanations. The Language Center's Self Access Center has several grammars, including a German-English contrastive grammar.
- Discuss any questions you
may still have with your teacher.
ULS 2
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