AP Summer Reading Questions and Announcements

Some of you have approached me with questions about sentence diagramming. I apologize if there has been any confusion! Some of the batteries say you may "chart" the sentences, but that doesn't mean you have to do an old fashioned diagram. Here's an excerpt from a reply I sent to a question this morning:

If you look to the right hand column which says "Course Resources," you will see a long list of links. These can help you with your work, but don't worry about it. Just do the best you can. Our main goal is to get as much of this review as possible out of the way during the summer. As for "diagramming," you don't have to do diagrams if you don't want to. It says "charting" on the instructions for some of them, but what I mean by that is to write down things in a set of columns, i.e., first word of the phrase (or clause), last word, key word, objects/complements/modifiers, word modified (if it's an adjective or adverb) or function (if it's a noun), and part of speech (if it's a participle, it will always be an adjective; if it's a gerund, it's always a noun; if it's an independent clause, it doesn't have a part of speech). Hopefully, this info will help. You don't have to do the old fashioned diagramming unless it just helps you visually.

I'm not sure how all of you feel, but this is my personal take on diagramming: I think it's very helpful for visual learners. If you are a visual person, diagramming may be one of the best ways you can learn; however, it starts to get really complicated at our level. You have more than just the basic subject/verb, and you have subordinate clauses and phrases, as well as the occasional idiomatic expression, to identify. Those conundrums can present serious diagramming challenges. As for me, personally, I could always tell what the words in the sentences were doing, but I could never remember whether the line was straight, slanted, dotted, or solid. Some constructions go on stilts; others are attached underneath the basic line. After 8th grade, I just gave it up! But if you like diagramming, go for it! Do whatever helps you best! Think about your learning style (we'll be doing some of that in class if you don't already know yours) and use the one best suited to you.

And if you have questions, do not be afraid to call me! (615)424-1218

On to the announcements--let's have a review session on Thursday, August 7, at Border's coffee shop at 6:30 PM. Bring any questions you have about grammar, the batteries, etc. I will be there to help!

See you then! (Send me a quick email to let me know if you are coming, ok?) bethb@wcs.edu