Here’s one method on how to become more confident with your grammar skills.
Scientific America Mind (October 2013) has an article called What Works, What Doesn’t that discusses techniques that work or don’t work for learning. The second item in the article discusses the importance of self testing. The article makes the point that before reading a chapter the student should take a test to see how much they know on the subject. The theory is we learn by our mistakes.
Each year I read a different book on grammar in an effort to keep my skills strong. As a writer, I consider grammar knowledge an important tool for creating a novel.
Thinking I should test the theory put forward by Scientific America Mind, I set out on the search for a grammar book laid out with an introductory test, study information and an end of chapter test.
I found Sharp Grammar: Build Better Grammar Skills by Kaplan follows this process.
I’m now working my way though the book, surprising myself by what I know and don’t know. If I only learn one new thing, I think it’s worth the effort. I also believe that continual practice will keep me at the top of my game in the sport of grammar. Can you ever practice too much?
What do you do to keep improving your grammar and punctuation skills?
What a great idea! I’m going to check out that book.
A couple things I do to improve my grammar is get feedback from writers who know more than I do, 🙂 and I read a lot!
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Good reminder that reading helps up learn even it we’re not paying attention to the grammar. Feedback is the best way, I think, because it’s hard to see your own errors.
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I depend on my writing partner for grammar pointers. Also, I read everything I can.
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Writing partner? Where do I get one?
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