8. Know Your Sentence Structure

[kaitlynayates]

i'm such a doof. i really, really need this. i think i have dementia. i forget how to write.

[mofeefee1]

Thanks, you help me pass me exam

[ABWatt]

@mofeefee1 I'm glad to hear that. How's your writing? Are you improving?

[thestranger11]

I have to say I am personally in two minds about these types of videos.

No doubt they're helpful visual aids for people who struggle with literacy.

However I can't seem to shake the sensation that these videos are being trussed up in a bow of condescension. Arguably you could say that’s my own inferiority with my writing skills though I hope this post debunks that. No doubt it's hard to find a balance between guiding, learning but not lecturing - so to speak. Nice one! x Not hating.

[ABWatt]

@thestranger11 It is a fine balance, and it's hard to achieve one exactly. This video is over a year old, and it was one of my first. I like to think that the later, more recent ones are better... it's hard to be sure.

I imagine that some of the videos in this series will turn out great — and others will turn out terribly. You're a fine writer, but a lot of fifth, sixth, and seventh graders really struggle a lot with mastering all the mechanics and stylistic issues of being a good writer.

[thestranger11]

@ABWatt Hey man, yeah well it's good that you're doing them - the videos I mean... :P Is the educational system in the states and such as bad as I hear?

[ABWatt]

@thestranger11 It's not near as bad as our press (or yours) makes it out to be. If you take our standardized testing numbers, the US looks bad. Yet that's a national average, not nuanced at all. Today I was in a suburban American school for a concert This school & other schools attending, all outperform any school in any other country... but inner-city schools that could have been there, weren't. They have no money for art or music programs, and neither states nor Feds provide money for them.

[thestranger11]

@ABWatt Im really happy you've taken the time to respond. I'm not american but I know some of what the system is like there. It is a shame that funding seems to go anywhere but education. Also it seems that education is crippled by faith. I don't mean to offend if you yourself are a christian and whatnot but the money and influence could be going into feeding children literal fact and sciences as opposed to bullshit. It also seems that kids are apathetic to education (cont

[thestranger11]

@ABWatt whether its because they are lazy or too used to crappy substitute newbie teachers who don't last 5 minutes OR because they think that conveyer belt manufactured fame will save them. Or jesus. Knowledge is power right? Sorry if I'm rambling, one too many tipples :P

[thestranger11]

@ABWatt Mind you I've just realised you teach at a boarding school. Good move.

[ABWatt]

@thestranger11 I used to... I need to update that, and show that I'm now at a private day school. 

[JRHartly1984]

Great video on an often overlooked subject.

[jasonask1]

Oh The subject modifier and the predicate modifier made the sentence a lot better.

very helpful video thanks for sharing

[ABWatt]

@jasonask1 You're welcome. My videos that start with numbers usually deal with grammatical issues; I hope some of the others have been helpful to you as well. The newest one isn't labeled, but it's about including demographic and geographic information into your writing. It's called "Texas and Demographic Writing". Hope it's helpful!

[TSGS21]

Wow! I like this.

[ABWatt]

@TSGS21 Glad it was helpful.

[tisliteaitdouchen]

clear and easy explanation thanks so sos

[ABWatt]

@tisliteaitdouchen Glad it was helpful. There's a number of my other videos that may be helpful if you're having challenges as a writer. Good luck.