Diagraming enables students to gain a better understanding of sentence structure and parts of speech. Each lesson describes the specific structure under study, gives examples, and provides sentences for diagraming practice. Students are then challenged to generate their own sentences to fit the models. Even teachers unfamiliar with the diagraming process will find this step-by-step format easy to follow and use to instruct students.
Rooted in a deep and successful tradition of understanding the parts of speech and the relationships of sentence components, Sentence Diagramming combines solid grammar instruction with extensive sentence diagramming exercises to improve writing.
These exercises teach you step-by-step how to diagram the eight parts of speech, independent clauses, dependent adverb clauses, dependent noun clauses, dependent adjective clauses, verb phrases, prepositional phrases, gerunds, infinitives, participles, and more. You'll learn grammar and diagramming with these short, simple lessons and exercises, and you'll find all of the answers in the back so that you can easily check your work. These grammar exercises will work for you whether you're a teacher, a student, a writer, an editor, a businessman, a parent, a grandparent, or just a person who loves learning. When you're done with this book, you'll possess a powerful tool for using and understanding language. You'll be able to write with clarity, and you'll actually enjoy grammar. My son just started diagramming sentences. He really enjoys it and says grammar is now his favorite subject! Thanks for inspiring my son and me. - Margaret, Homeschool Mom I have started using your grammar exercises in my writing classes, and the students are quite engaged. - Susan, ESL Teacher I didn't "get" grammar at all growing up, and I was scared of it. Teaching it is terrifying for me. However, diagramming is helping me, so I am teaching it to my students as well. Thank you for inspiring me to love grammar and to feel more confident. - Megan, High School English Teacher I have all your materials, and I think it's all superb. It is a great way to make grammar tuition more dynamic/interactive and less didactic. It also appeals to visual learners. - Terry, Literacy Program Coordinator When I think of the complete breezing-over of this subject in my school years, I'm amazed I can communicate at all. Although I actually get paid to write, I have always felt that my underlying grammatical strength was missing. I love the fact that this material is a confidence-boosting exercise as well as an educational one. I feel more equipped to explore a whole new world of knowledge, simply because I am armed with a fuller understanding of how the sentence works and what the author is saying with style, content, and syntax. - Phil, Writer I find sentence diagramming fun, and my confidence is slowly but surely growing. I think I've missed out on a lot since my teachers never taught me this brilliant way of learning English when I was in school! I would definitely recommend my friends use this method. - Carol, Grammar Lover To be honest with you, the only only way I can stomach studying grammar is through sentence diagramming. I have a "normal" grammar book, but I get so fed up trying to learn all of the rules and the exceptions to the rules. - Elizabeth, (Reluctant) Grammar Lover
Grammar by Diagram is a book designed for anyone who wishes to improve grammatical understanding and skill. Using traditional sentence diagraming as a visual tool, the book explains how to expand ten basic patterns for simple sentences into compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences, and how to employ verbals (infinitives, gerunds, and participles), other specialized structures, and even punctuation for additional versatility. The third edition includes more exercises at the foundational level and more focus on how to arrange and combine sentences for maximum effect. It also includes a new initial CHAPTER on “preliminaries” to define a few basic but overarching concepts, a separate CHAPTER on pronouns, and a CHAPTER devoted to the connection between understanding grammar and writing effective sentences.
Knowing grammar will help you write and speak with confidence, and sentence diagramming is an amazing tool for mastering grammar. This book includes definitions, examples, and sentence diagrams of the eight parts of speech, phrases, clauses, gerunds, infinitives, participles, and much more. I created this resource for 5th graders through adults, but I've heard from many teachers and parents using it successfully with students in 3rd and 4th grade as well. Do yourself and your students a favor. Learn or teach grammar with sentence diagrams, and use this book to make it easy! I have a class of fifth graders, and they just can't get enough of sentence diagramming! -Jennifer, Teacher I am amazed at all of your great resources. I'm now developing my sentence diagramming skills and learning how to use proper grammar. Your information is a big help for me as I teach my two lovely daughters at home. You've given me grammar knowledge and confidence in myself! - Lynn, Homeschool Teacher I highly recommend this program. We bought the book, and my eight-year-old son has caught on very quickly. He actually enjoys grammar work now. - Sasha, Homeschool Teacher
"...a masterful presentation of grammar--a well-structured, incremental course in diagramming with clear explanations and memorable illustrations of each new principle... Phyllis Davenport understands that if you want to make yourself understood, you need grammar. Her textbook abounds with examples of the ambiguities that result from an ignorance of grammatical rules...The art of diagramming sentences provides students with an indispensable foundation for the study of grammar, and Rex Barks makes the process of learning this skill manageable and fun. The book is laid out in logical, incremental steps, and students are given the opportunity to master one concept before proceeding to the next...It contains many clever devices to help students with tricky concepts (e.g., prepositions are to be remembered as "anything a squirrel can do to a tree.") And it is pervaded by her sense of humor and enthusiasm for her subject. - Lisa VanDamme - Director, VanDamme Academy
A veteran copyeditor studies the practice of diagramming sentences in a charming and funny look back at its odd history, its elegant method, and its rich, ongoing possibilities.
Unlock the mysteries of sentence diagramming with this simple Reed and Kellogg primer. Learners of all types can benefit from this alternative presentation of grammatical principles. Sentence diagramming aids students in seeing the connections of the words within sentences and solidifies the functions of each part in the learner's memory. Dr. Judith Coats breaks down the process step-by-step with careful explanations. The method of sentence visualization can be fun, effective, and relevant to every learner. Why not give it a try? Become a better writer by understanding the parts of the English language and how they all work together as a whole.
." . . In Diagramming the Scriptures. . . the curriculum starts with the simple sentence, adds precept upon precept until the learner is able to master complex sentences. . . As each concept is introduced, the student has plenty of practice, followed by quizzes, and later a cumulative test over the entire text. As an educator, a homeschool parent, and a tutor I see this curriculum as an excellent choice for a homeschool, a Christian school classroom, or for an individual of any age who is interested in studying grammar or God's Word, word by word."Deana Haines, Families for Home Education Executive Director." . .I am quite pleased to recommend your book to college professors as an excellent addition to their basic texts in teaching English grammar. . . Since your examples and exercises utilize Bible sentences, your book is also a valuable asset to the study of hermeneutics."Jim Anderson, Chancellor, Midwestern Baptist College, SBC"Diagramming the Scriptures is a unique way to help focus the Bible student on the words and meanings of Scripture. I commend Shirley Forsen for providing this excellent book and recommend it to all who desire to "go deeper" in their study of God's Word."Dr John A Hash, Bible Pathway Ministries." . .I recommend Diagramming the Scriptures to all scholars to clarify interpretations of all books and to all teachers of grammar."Glada Kelley, retired teacher and librarian." . .The best and unique part of Miss Forsen's book is that Bible verses are used for the examples and exercises. This teaches the student an important aspect of "rightly dividing the word of truth" understanding how the structure of the verse influences its meaning. Diagramming the Scriptures teaches necessary skills, both educational and spiritual."Laura Blunk, college freshman
