Sentence diagramming is sometimes dismissed as a tedious, over-analytical killer of the joy of language. It certainly can be when done with a passive mindset that treats it like a chore. But the real purpose of diagramming is not the mere exercise of drawing diagrams. The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of the way English sentences work, to look at them through a new lens that enriches our experience of language. Indeed, the purpose of diagramming is to arrive at a level of linguistic awareness where diagramming becomes unnecessary! Until we reach that point, we diagram because it gives us a stronger grasp of the complexity, variety, and beauty of English Grammar. And to this end, we must be active and vigilant in our practice, remembering that we draw so that we can see what is otherwise hidden in the linear sequence of words. Above all, we must love language! And yes, diagramming can be fun if you love language!
Workshopping and Practice
Homework Problems
