1. GRAMMAR ANALYSIS
Understanding the disconnect between high school instruction and college expectations
Source: Mechanically Inclined: Building Grammar, Usage, and Style into Writer’s Workshop written by Jeff Anderson

2. The Research – Investing in Grammar Instruction
As more students pursue college educations worldwide, the ability to engage in communication effectively is becoming increasingly important.
Colleges expect students to have a certain level of ability to manipulate English.
In a 2006 investigation by Patterson and Duer, it was noted that “…’Grammar and Usage’ skills were, as a whole, rated most important by college instructors of entry-level English courses.

3. The Research – Investing in Grammar Instruction
However, “’Writing Strategy,’ Sentence Structure,’ …’Grammar and Usage’ skills, averaged together, receive from high school teachers the lowest median importance rating.”
“There is a clear disconnect between the skills college professors believe incoming students should possess and the skills high school English instructors believe outgoing students ought to be taught.”
“There is a different set of priorities identified by high school instructors and college instructors.”

4. The Research – Investing in Grammar Instruction
“If students are to experience success, they must have knowledge of Standard English and the ability to use Standard English when it is accepted and expected in academic and business settings.”
“Though language is fluid and constantly reshaping itself, there are still rules that apply.
Students should be aware of the rules and ABLE to apply them effectively in their writing.

5. “Top 20 College-level grammar errors”
Missing comma after an introductory element
Vague pronoun reference
Missing comma in a compound sentence
Wrong Word
Missing comma(s) with a nonrestrictive element
Wrong or missing verb ending
Wrong or missing preposition
Comma splice
Missing or misplaced possessive apostrophe
Unnecessary shift in tense
Unnecessary shift in pronoun
Sentence fragment

6. “Top 20 College-level grammar errors”
Wrong tense or verb form
Lack of subject-verb agreement
Missing comma in a series
Lack of agreement between pronoun and antecedent
Unnecessary comma(s) with a restrictive element
Fused sentence (Run-on)
Misplaced or dangling modifier
Its / It’s confusion

7. The Analysis – Investing in yourself
FIRST READ: Please read the comments written throughout your paper. Please do this with no writing utensil in your hand.
SECOND READ: Please record the noted errors on your chart using tally marks.
When finished, calculate your errors to identify your top 3 grammar errors. Record these in a list at the bottom of your page.
Next, write a goal that you will keep to practice this skill.