English Grammar and Writing Made Easy

English Grammar and Writing Made Simple is an outgrowth from frustrations experienced while working with students who need a much better formal understanding of the language they speak daily. While all of these students are highly communicative or verbal, many of them do not have a great facility with Standard American English and many are reading far below grade level. Therefore, the challenge for me was to develop learning processes for students to "attack" the language on a level that was within the bounds of their current skill level and to build upon their understanding of language, in general, to acquire a level of sophistication that they needed to do well as they progress through their studies and to do well on tests that purport to measure their linguistic abilities and verbal skills. It was also realized that this booklet would be an excellent primer for those who are learning English as a Second Language, or for those who learned to speak the language but did not acquire a sufficient under-standing of its formal structure. The initial lesson starts with a simple two-word sentence, Sasha barks, and then adds other elements and features to demonstrate ways to change the character, complexity and intent of the sentence. Each element is explained and shows how it relates to the remainder or other elements of the sentence. The idea is to show how to a build sentence in order to build paragraphs in order to create more complex writings such as compositions, essays and novels. This is an incremental approach that does not overwhelm students, and it allows them to use and digest small chunks of the language and to incorporate it into their daily conversations. Examples are given with each concept or element, and students are encouraged to create their own examples to re-enforce the materials. I am convinced that this approach enhances their linguistic awareness and consciousness and changes their linguistic thinking and speaking habits. Students will learn details about grammar and grammatical structures in context with sentence structures and purposes. This approach also allows them to understand the appropriate use of language to communicate intended messages, and it will help them to understand the inferences and subtleties associated with language. By end of the booklet, students will have acquired a sufficient breadth and depth of understanding the language to write clear and concise sentences with the correct grammar, usage and mechanics. They will also have a greater curiosity about words and how they are used formally and informally. This booklet, by no means, is intended to be the definitive publication on English Grammar and Composition, but it is a guide for learning the very basics of grammar and writing. The errors and omissions are those of the author.
About the Author: Dr. Wil Brower is an educational and management consultant and trainer, specializing in human and organizational development. He is also an educator, professional facilitator, lecturer, mediator and writer. Some of his writings on the subjects of organizational and personal effectiveness have appeared in Harvard Business Review (Nov.-Dec., 1996) and Cultural Diversity at Work (January, 1997). One of his major presentations was published in Vital Speeches of the Day (Feb 15, 2000). He is the author of A Little Book of Big Principles--Values and Virtues for a More Successful Life (1998); Me Teacher, Me...Please!---Observation and Thoughts about Parents, Students, Teachers and the Teaching-Learning Process (2001); Traffic Signs on the Road of Life (2012; Of Life, Love and Learning--Selected Poems, and Educational Raps, Rhymes and Rhythms (2012) and co-author of Personal Care Journal: The Adult Years-A Ready-Reference of Vital Information (2001). Through W. Brower & Associates, Dr. Brower has provided consulting and training services for organizations such as Hewlett-Packard Corporation, Marriott Corporation, The University of Memphis, DuPont Pharmaceuticals, Dow Chemical Company, U. S. Veterans Administration, the State of Arkansas, Raleigh News and Observer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U. S. Postal Service. Through his non-profit organization, Institute for Youth Development and Educational Resources, (IYDER), Inc., Dr. Brower developed and facilitates training modules for students at-risk of academic and personal failure and for adults who work with these students. His organizations are based in Trenton, NC.