Grammar in a Nutshell workshop
by Elizabeth Manning Murphy DE and Ted Briggs AE
Workshop held via Zoom over two Saturdays:
9 July and 16 July, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Did you learn the basics of English grammar? Maybe you have forgotten some of them? Or does English grammar get mixed up with other grammar? Can you explain to clients why you recommend edits to grammar in their text? Or do some grammar rules seem confusing?
This workshop will cover many areas of English grammar including:
- parts of speech (word classes) – nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and more
- sentence and paragraph structure – putting the words together, including parallel structure in lists
- punctuation
- principles of plain English
- inclusive grammar – using words that respect broad community preferences
- common trouble spots such as subject-verb agreement, aspects of accessibility.
If you are unsure of the conventions of traditional English grammar, or just need a reminder, this workshop will cover basic grammar with activities throughout to help consolidate what you learn. Your workbook, with your own notes, will become a useful grammar reference document. There will be additional recommended reading and optional activities to try between Days 1 and 2.
The workshop will be presented by Elizabeth Manning Murphy DE with contributions by Edwin (Ted) Briggs AE. Ted will also be there for technical assistance.
In two short sessions, we can’t cover the whole of English grammar, but we can help you get your own writing right, and we can give you the background to help you explain your editing corrections – all backed up with reference to some useful reading. There will be activities all the way and focussed discussion. Included is a free individual email consultation after the workshop on anything about grammar, writing clearly or helping others to write clearly.
Details
When: Saturday 9 July AND Saturday 16 July 2022
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on both days
Who: All are welcome
Where: Online (details will be provided by the presenters)
Cost: $180 (members), $250 (non-members)
Register: Go to Trybooking, Registrations close midnight Sunday 3 July 2022.
Important: You only need to select 9 July when booking. This will register you for both the 9th and the 16th.
This workshop is an excellent professional development opportunity.
Elizabeth Manning Murphy DE is a trained linguist, academic editor and trainer. She is the author of Working words (revised edn) (Lacuna, 2019) and Effective writing: plain English at work (2nd edn) (Lacuna, 2014). She has presented this workshop all over Australia, in UK, Europe and South Africa. Go to Elizabeth’s website and select ‘Books’ to read about print and ebooks. (Not required reading, but recommended for reference. Both are listed as resources to help with preparation for the IPEd Accreditation Exam.)
Ted Briggs AE is an experienced technical writer and editor with a substantial background in English grammar, joint national coordinator with Elizabeth of the IPEd mentoring program for editors, member of the Accreditation Board, and an IT specialist. He has managed mentoring and grammar workshops since they migrated from in-person to online, and will be acting in that capacity for this workshop, as well as contributing to the presentation.