Too much of a good thing

Grammar rules can drive a person crazy. By "a person," I mean me. I'm going a bit crazy.

A company has hired me to write grammar lessons on a variety of specific topics. As I review all the material I can find on each topic, digest it, and then try to turn it into interesting, clear lessons, I find myself thinking of rules, rules, rules all the time. I usually write first drafts fairly easily, but now my fingers are hesitating over certain pronouns, certain verbs, certain constructions. "Wait. Am I doing this correctly?" I'll wonder. Everything I write is now suspect. I find myself examining rules I internalized years ago and wondering if I've somehow got them wrong.

For example, I just used the word "got." Should it have been "gotten"? And didn't a teacher once tell me I should avoid the word "got" altogether? And what about the "and" I've just used to begin the last two sentences? Should I remove the "ands" because some sticklers object to starting sentences with coordinating conjunctions? Such self-scrutiny can be paralyzing.

It makes me wonder how kids must feel when they are bombarded with grammar rules at the same time that they are taking tentative steps toward learning to express themselves well on paper. Too much grammar too soon can be paralyzing and counterproductive.

That's why I'm trying to make the grammar materials I write as friendly as possible. I definitely don't want young writers to freeze up the way I have been.

Comments

[Samantha Prust]

I agree, Cheri! If, as a young writer, I had paid attention to or cared more about grammar, I don't think I would've felt free enough to express myself. Get the ideas down; the grammar will follow. :)