Learning grammar completely by ear.

[Spencinator]

Yup, that's how I learned most of my grammar. Which I guess is fine, but it's not always great. I remember back when I was around fourteen-years old, I didn't have a clue on writing, yet I yearned to write. When I found Chubbs, I used it as an outlet for my writing, and slowly my skills in the field of writing increased. I picked up stuff as I went along, and had a lot help from my friends. Looking back when I first joined, I can definitely see where I?ve improved. However, I can also see where I still need to improve. =\

When I get critiques, tips, and help on my writing, I have quite a lot of difficulty analyzing it all. I?m not sure what I?m supposed to do, and I become overwhelmed with frustration.

It?s easy to break things down, but unfortunately for me, I don?t have the tools used to break down information. I never learned much about grammar when I was younger, which has really has stunted my growth when it comes to improving my writing. When someone suggest on how to improve, I can?t figure how to implement it, since I don?t even know the basics of what he or she is talking about.

What I?m trying to say is; I have a really shaky foundation which I?m using to build on top of. I never really got a strong impression on the basics of grammar, literature, and the like. I feel like I don?t know enough to improve on writing. =\

I?m posting this because I need help with writing. I can understand if nobody is willing to tutor me, it?s a difficult job. I know it sounds pathetic, but it?s really my only option at this moment in time. =(

Er, sorry for the rant, I just had a lot to get off my chest is all. I just?I want to do be better at writing, and I know I could do it with just a little help.

>_<

[Hellfighter 17]

I'm the same, as is my English teacher. He says that that is called "whole language," where you learn it by reading a lot and listenin' to people. I have trouble remembering the meaning of a lot of terms, such as conjuctions or whatever - I only know the basics. Of course, by ear means you generally won't know the exceptions, unless you've become attuned to them, as well.

[Spencinator]

Originally posted by Hell Fighter 17
I'm the same, as is my English teacher. He says that that is called "whole language," where you learn it by reading a lot and listenin' to people. I have trouble remembering the meaning of a lot of terms, such as conjuctions or whatever - I only know the basics. Of course, by ear means you generally won't know the exceptions, unless you've become attuned to them, as well.

That it's exactly how it is for me. >_< I know just about zilch when it comes to terms, but it's not just that. I also have trouble properly punctuating since I don't even know what some of the symbols are for. =\

EDIT: When I look up some of the symbols, I end up reading terms I don't understand, and I'm still stumped as to what there for.

[Raditzu]

Just write a lot of dialogue and say its a dialect.

Alternatively you can defend any grammar mistakes as using voice.

[Spencinator]

Originally posted by Raditzu
Just write a lot of dialogue and say its a dialect.

Alternatively you can defend any grammar mistakes as using voice.

Er, I'm not sure what you mean.

[Raditzu]

It was actually a joke, but I'll explain.

dialect
?noun
1. Linguistics. a variety of a language that is distinguished from other varieties of the same language by features of phonology, grammar, and vocabulary, and by its use by a group of speakers who are set off from others geographically or socially.

Meaning any grammatical mistakes in dialogue were intended.

When a writer puts their "voice" into their writing it means they write so it sounds like them. For example, I could have written the previous sentence like so: when a writer puts their "voice" into their writing it means they writein such a way as to express something about themselves.

The first version of that sentence is how I, myself, would have said it if you had been standing next to me. The second version is a colder, more text-book answer... thought I do that on occasion as well.

To say that a grammatical mistake was just your "voice" means that you intentionally made a mistake in in your writing to better convey, to the reader, how you, the author, think/speak/feel as an individual.

So if someone says "wtf you're making all these mistakes" you come back with "pfft, haven't you ever heard of 'voice/dialect'!?" And then do one of those little "heh" laughs like you didn't think someone that stupid actually existed.

Though I don't suggest trying that with a teacher.

[Spencinator]

Originally posted by Raditzu
It was actually a joke, but I'll explain.

dialect
?noun
1. Linguistics. a variety of a language that is distinguished from other varieties of the same language by features of phonology, grammar, and vocabulary, and by its use by a group of speakers who are set off from others geographically or socially.

Meaning any grammatical mistakes in dialogue were intended.

When a writer puts their "voice" into their writing it means they write so it sounds like them. For example, I could have written the previous sentence like so: when a writer puts their "voice" into their writing it means they writein such a way as to express something about themselves.

The first version of that sentence is how I, myself, would have said it if you had been standing next to me. The second version is a colder, more text-book answer... thought I do that on occasion as well.

To say that a grammatical mistake was just your "voice" means that you intentionally made a mistake in in your writing to better convey, to the reader, how you, the author, think/speak/feel as an individual.

So if someone says "wtf you're making all these mistakes" you come back with "pfft, haven't you ever heard of 'voice/dialect'!?" And then do one of those little "heh" laughs like you didn't think someone that stupid actually existed.

Though I don't suggest trying that with a teacher.

Oooooooh, now I get it. XD Thank you for explaining it to me. =)

[Grandpa Gohan]

Heh, I know all the basics, in 2nd grade, I had a 9th grade reading level, and looking back on it, now that I'm a senior in high school, I ask myself "wtf?!". As I know how much of the paper I read in the short ammount of time.

But I'm not gloating, I usually help my friends with their papers, as I can whip up a good english/social studies paper in the span of about 45min, if that.

As for the breaking down of what people tell you to work on, don't feel bad as I have to same problem. I learned to use a lot of description in my writing, and not neccisarily an inward look at the character I was portraying. So, when I do write, most of it is outward description(Thx Vegeta). I myself have difficulty applying stuff to my writing, the humor thing that I added in one of my lasts posts, it was completly random, but from what I hear, at least a few people besides myself got a chuckle out of it, and that makes me feel good.

The only advice I can offer, and I should take the same, apply yourself. Reread your work before you post it, type it to where you feel "I think this is good", and then let it sit for awhile(Props to Rad for the advice), come back to it and reread it again; Chances are, you will find something you overlooked. Correct it or whatever you wish, if your in a personal saga, maybe do it agian.

Hope that helps a little, if you need me to break that down or whatever, Ill try to. =)

[Krillin]

I highly recommend an in-depth grammar study. "Whole language", as HF puts it, might be well and good for communicating in your day-to-day life, but it is absolutely essential to master the finer points of the English language if you want to become a successful writer.

Hit me up on AIM when I'm not busy.

[Hellfighter 17]

Originally posted by Panbuukin

Originally posted by Hell Fighter 17
I'm the same, as is my English teacher. He says that that is called "whole language," where you learn it by reading a lot and listenin' to people. I have trouble remembering the meaning of a lot of terms, such as conjuctions or whatever - I only know the basics. Of course, by ear means you generally won't know the exceptions, unless you've become attuned to them, as well.

That it's exactly how it is for me. >_< I know just about zilch when it comes to terms, but it's not just that. I also have trouble properly punctuating since I don't even know what some of the symbols are for. =\

EDIT: When I look up some of the symbols, I end up reading terms I don't understand, and I'm still stumped as to what there for.

Examples, and just general teachings. That's how I learned interrobang, em dash, en dash, and all that jazz.

[Raditzu]

No... it wasn't advice...

=(

It was a joke...

[Spencinator]

Originally posted by Krillin
I highly recommend an in-depth grammar study. "Whole language", as HF puts it, might be well and good for communicating in your day-to-day life, but it is absolutely essential to master the finer points of the English language if you want to become a successful writer.

Hit me up on AIM when I'm not busy.

That's exactly what I mean.

EDIT: Hmm, I'll have to think about in-depth study, it sounds like it would help a great deal. I'll do whatever it takes to increase my writing skills. I want this to be my profession someday. ^_^