Do you ever wonder about what’s under the hood of the English language? English is a rich language with a convoluted history and tons of inconsistencies, but contrary to appearance, it does actually have rules that organize the way we put our words together. One way to visually explore the way English functions is to use a technique called sentence diagramming.
Some of you may remember traditional sentence diagramming from some long ago class in elementary school or think of it as something you did for a day in grammar school during the 80s. Yes, sentence diagramming has been around for a while (since the 1900s!), but it’s still relevant if you want to think structurally about the way English works.
Sentence Diagramming 101: Fun with Linguistics (and Movies!) is a great resource for anyone interested in understanding the underlying structure of the English language.
“A surprisingly fun jaunt into the convoluted wilds of the English language!”
Sentence Diagramming 101: Fun with Linguistics (and Movies) explores the relationship between words using traditional sentence diagramming and amusing movie references. Inside this textbook, you’ll find detailed explanations as well as 50+ film-focused practice exercises, and on the companion website, you can explore the answer key, informative videos, additional practice, and lively discussions about the English language.
One abiding question often accompanies any discussion of traditional sentence diagramming (Reed & Kellogg): does sentence diagramming create better writers? This book’s answer: Maybe. If you think of the English language as a car, think of this book as a look under the proverbial hood of the language. Someone may know the names of all the parts and how they work together to make the vehicle move when the gas pedal is held down-but does that knowledge create a better driver? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Perhaps that driver will explain spark plugs while they drive straight off a cliff.
Such is also true of writing. English can be messy, filled with archaic bolts and cobbled coils, but somehow, it still manages to get users where they want to go. Hop in and enjoy the ride!
A great primer for writers, word enthusiasts, and those seeking to understand the fundamentals of English grammar, this textbook breaks down complicated ideas into digestible pieces.
Topics include:
- The Basics: Parts of Speech and Word Function
- Sentence Patterns
- Phrases, Verbals, and Clauses
- Sentence Types
- Weirdness: Questions, Commands, Expletives, Poetry, Made Up and Repeated Words
Additional features:
- ADA Compliant
- Free Companion Website with Video Overviews, Answer Keys, Practice Explanations, Additional Practice, and Language-Focused Discussions
Get under the hood of the English language with Sentence Diagramming 101!
