25 Jul 2016
I was having a conversation with a friend about grammar. "Subordinate clauses and adjectival phrases – who needs them!" he said.
This friend recently purchased a Toyota land cruiser, circa 1985. He is preparing to travel around Australia, along the highways and the byways. One look at the car and I shuddered – in my opinion the car lacks the reliability to drive to a local beach for the day, let alone having the stamina for a long distance trek across outback Australia.
However, my friend thinks differently. As a back yard mechanic he trusts that his ability to tinker with cars including changing and replacing tyres, brake pads, a fuel filter, battery, alternator and spark plugs – for example – will see him through should his second-hand car break down during the cross country marathon.
I am certainly not brave enough to make such a trip in such a car. Unlike my friend, I have the fear factor. I don't have the confidence with DIY car repair and would be absolutely at a loss if the car conked out in the middle of the outback.
Now, as I pointed out to my friend when he spoke to me about his disdain for clauses and phrases, I have no fear when it comes to writing. I am a confident writer and especially in my job as a school principal, I write a great deal.
I credit this confidence because just as my friend knows how an engine works, I know how writing works and have a good knowledge of grammar. When I open up the bonnet of a piece of text I understand how words are put together and how they work.
It is my belief that just like a good knowledge of how a car works gives my friend the confidence to undertake an adventurous driving expedition on the open road, so too a good knowledge of grammar can give one the skills, knowledge and understanding to be an ambitious writer with the ability to write confidently for a range of purposes, in a range of contexts for a range of audiences.
That's why we learn subordinate clauses and adjectival phrases my friend – because knowing how writing works gives one the confidence and ability to write and write well.
Damien Moran
Principal
Ashfield Public School