Krashen restates
The Power of Reading
January 1, 1970
To Learn to Write: Read
To Learn to Write: Read
Published in the Washington Post
Saturday, November 4, 2006; Page A21
Missing from "Clauses and Commas Make a Comeback" [front page, Oct. 23] is more than 100 years' worth of scientific research on how people learn to write with high levels of grammatical accuracy.
This research consistently shows that formal grammar study has no significant impact on writing quality. Rather, studies support the view that nearly all of our ability to write with an acceptable style comes from massive amounts of reading.
The study of grammar has value, however: Even those who are well read may have small gaps in their writing competence, and conscious knowledge of some grammar rules can be helpful in filling some of these gaps (e.g. the it's/its distinction).
Writing teachers generally recommend using these rules in the editing stage, after one's ideas are on the page.
In addition, the study of grammar can serve as an introduction to linguistics, a subject that includes the study of universals (what all languages have in common), language change, dialects and how language is acquired.
Research strongly suggests, however, that the study of grammar should not be at the core of the language arts curriculum.
-- Stephen Krashen