Juggling, Gerunds, and Sunshine

Hi Hi Hi.

What a beautiful day it is today! Funny how easily the sun affects my mood. It has been such a good day today! I started my morning class with a trip to Lincoln Elementary school, and started my afternoon class with a much-needed dose of sunshine. Love it. Other than the fact that I was reminded of my poor hand-eye coordination, the juggling session was much appreciated. I love how so many class activities can be justified by an extended metaphor.

Juggling is like a writing center session! Juggling is like putting the pieces of a sentence together! Okay, maybe these metaphors are an excuse to spend twenty minutes outside, but I'm not complaining. The metaphor for juggling as writing works quite well. A writer takes all the parts of a sentence and puts them all together, just a juggler deals with many things at once. A talented writer/juggler takes all the pieces and plays with them in a new, interesting way.

Is it necessary for us to define the parts of the sentence? To an English speaker, the definitions seem to make things more complicated. I am sitting here writing this blog in Hollenbeck, and if I were to take the time to analyze each part of my sentences, it would take much longer. I don't want it to take longer. I want to go back outside!

To English speakers, defining the parts of the sentence is a tedious and seemingly unnecessary process. We don't question the parts of our sentences until we are trying to manipulate them into another language. Perhaps grammar classes are a thing of the past, but there's no denying that the technical terms can help us have a conversation about our writing. When working with a writer and using our terminology, we can give reasoning to our suggestions other than "it sounds better this way."

There is a problem, however. Writing Center advisors may feel it is a waste of time to sit there and explain all of the writing terminology. Additionally, we may intimidate the writers if we choose to use words they don't understand. Using advanced language creates a barrier between the writer and the advisor; they are no longer on the same level. The big words may go right over the writers head.We have to be careful to continue to display ourselves as peers, despite an obvious difference in understanding.