Why Should I Learn Punctuation & Grammar in High School?
Why Punctuation and Grammar Still Matter in High School
Should high school students continue with punctuation and grammar studies? Yes! Too often, we consider such studies to be too basic for older students. However, punctuation and grammar are taught at an entirely different level in the upper grades compared to their grammar school lessons. It gives students the tools needed for college and business writing.
Correct punctuation and grammar help others to understand us fully. If you want to do well in school and your job, then mastering punctuation and grammar is critical.
How Punctuation Brings Meaning to the Page
The elements of tone, speed, and even the timbre (such as whispering, rasping, or growling a word) communicate meaning to others. The voice carries power, enabling our message to be fully understood. The plain printed words on the page can’t give us nuance. But punctuation can. With punctuation, our original meaning can be more closely translated to the page.
Grammar refers to both the order of words and the choice of words. When it comes to specific word orders on the page, there is a right way to write. There are right words to use—a proper choice of words and a proper order of words. However, some words are not appropriate for different audiences or purposes. Grammar gives us a formal, clear way to place our words in order, to get our meaning across to the reader.
The Judgments Others Make Based on Grammar
Whether we like it or not, based on our words, people judge us. If a person misuses grammar (not choosing the right word or word order), people catch it. The reader realizes and remembers incorrect grammar. Based on what the reader sees, you may be (unconsciously or consciously) put into a category of educated or not educated. You’re labeled. Whether the label is valid or not, we are now viewed with that tar.
The label, not educated, puts you into a category where others may make assumptions about you that, most likely, aren’t true. Judgment may lead others to a lack of respect. Based on incorrect assumptions, poor decisions may be made (like whether or not the person wants to hire you for a job). Grammar matters, for many reasons.
Beyond Writing Class: The Academic Advantage
Honing your punctuation and grammar skills in high school will help you beyond writing assignments. For example, it will help you achieve high grades in other subjects. I can confidently tell you this: more often than not, poor punctuation and grammar can sink the ship that carries your top grade. You can have everything going for you, and those small, basic punctuation and grammar errors can mess things up and take away your A, fast.
How to Take the Next Step in Mastery
We hope you’ll consider joining us for High School Essential Writing 1: Punctuation and Grammar (HS 9-1) and/or High School Writing Essentials 5: Punctuation and Grammar II (HS X-5) (College Prep). Each course is only six weeks, but they are six weeks that will change everything for the better. You can check out the small details here: Homeschool Connections Course Details.
What are your thoughts and questions on this topic? Join me and other homeschoolers in the Homeschool Connections Facebook Group or in the HSC Community to continue the conversation.
