Tag Archives: Grammar

Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty Skypes with Grade 8 Class

Posted on January 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty, Skyped with Kristi McGrath’s grade 8 English class. Ms. Fogarty addressed questions on the following topics: quoting dialogue, misspelling homophones, ‘dirty words’ such as affect and effect, texting grammar versus more formal writing, the correct usage of parentheses and dashes, and last but not least, the serial comma.

Ms. Fogarty also told stories of people who missed opportunities because they did not know how to write grammatically correct cover letters and resumes. She compared writing to dressing; dress and write appropriately for the occasion. Don’t wear shorts to an interview; don’t use text spelling and grammar in a resume.

We are extremely appreciative to Grammar Girl for giving her time to our students. It is essential that kids be exposed to intelligent people who work in the real world. This kind of opportunity generates creative thinking and a window into future possibilities.

Many thanks as well to Richard Rohrer at MacMillan for putting us in touch with Mignon Fogarty and to Kristi McGrath for preparing her students and facilitating the conversation.

You may find out more about Grammar Girl and her book at http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
http://us.macmillan.com/grammargirlsquickanddirtytipsforbetterwriting

You may also listen to her podcasts, “Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing” on iTunes.

Thank you, Grammar Girl!

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Grammar Help from Patricia O’Conner. Woe is I!

Posted on December 3, 2010 | Leave a comment

Patricia O’Conner, author of Woe Is I, Skyped with Jenny Smith’s grade 7 English class. O’Conner worked as an editor and writer for the New York Times for many years. She began to write books about grammar and writing because she observed that reporters made the same mistakes over and over such as confusing the use of I and me, your and you’re, whose and who’s, etc. She is now a frequent guest on TV and radio, where she gently guides her viewers in the proper use of grammar.

The students were curious about the titles of Ms. O’Conner’s books. What do the expressions Words Fail Me and Woe is I mean? This discussion led to the question, “Why do we need to know how to write?” Ms. O’Conner responded, “It’s like mental telepathy. You have an idea in your head and you need to communicate that idea to other people. It’s sort of a magical thing!”

We deeply appreciate Patricia O’Conner giving her time to talk to our students today. She was warm, funny and genuine.  We are so fortunate to find experts who are willing to talk to our students. A simple conversation with a professional can leave a valuable lasting impression on our students.  It is an opportunity to meet a real person who is utilizing academic skills in the real world. Thank you, Ms. O’Conner!

Please find more information about Patricia O’Conner and her books on her website

http://www.grammarphobia.com/

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