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	Vol.7, No 12, September 20, 1999
	Prof. defends WPE One of the purposes of higher education is for students to learn something significant.   For years it has been debated and argued whether or not grammar has anything to do with effective writing. The empirical evidence is different from the anecdotal evidence.    Essentially no one can show any support for grammarís usefulness in effective writing, but all sorts of people ìknowî that it is really important.   I agree that people should think clearly, organize their thoughts, and articulate, whether in speech or writing, the results of this process. We need that. The question is how will that happen?     We need to change our ways of teaching grammar if we want to see a relationship develop between the two.   Generally, students need to choose good parents and friends who will articulate fully and completely in the dialect that has been approved by schoolteachers, but not by the study of the grammar that encodes that dialect. Give Ed Borowiec some credit for knowing more than you profess. I too agree with your consternation that certain departments require a grammar class for their students.   Stephen B. Ross is a professor of linguistics at Cal State Long Beach.		Future of state's education planned CSULB students go to U.S. Capitol Credit card probe may be sparked Weight gain another problem for freshman Internet makes job search easier for students Bill calls for parent-teacher home visitations P.R. can't cover up Student still concerned about WPE Prof. defends WPE Don't blame us Bobby Matos jazz ensembles excites crowd Cranberries return with rosier outlook on life, music Band brings fun Shumard directs The Beach well Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.