Image Grammar Ch. 5

• · The opening “experiment” on page 94, in which the reader is supposed to “mark the sentence as either C or I,” is so fun for the reader. This activity would be a fun way to show students that when you know the rules, you can break them. The sentences are great examples of how authors add power to their writing by playing with punctuation to create special effects
• · I’m not a professional writer, but I tend to use dashes for effect. I use medium separation (the dash) in emails, text messages, blogs, and informal writing
• · I have used maximum separation (the period) for dramatic effect, especially in Creative Writing stories. Last semester I wrote: “I looked at him. He looked at me. Tears filled my eyes. And he knew that I knew.” Clearly, I am no pro, but I think that breaking the rules helped me to create this special effect.
• · I love these strategies. All of them. I think that he makes it so easy for all of us who want to teach grammar in a fun way. My favorite from this chapter was Strategy 1: Play with Fragments and Run-ons. My cooperating teacher has a similar activity, because this is great for using description! Also, knowing how to use run-ons and fragments for effect may help students to understand when they are not appropriate to use.