Tag: A Picture Of Language: The Fading Art Of Diagramming Sentences

noun

• a subordinate clown or acrobat in old comedies who mimics ludicrously the tricks of the principal

• :  a slavish follower

•  :  one who acts the buffoon to amuse others :  nut, kook

Source:http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zany

I came across this word in the reading excerpt, “A Picture Of Language: The Fading Art Of Diagramming Sentences” by Juanna Summers. This word can be found in the sentence “If you weren’t taught to diagram a sentence, this might sound a little zany”. The sentence before says ” But sentence diagramming brings geometry into grammar”. I believe this word is being used in descriptive terms of foolish or crazy like a nut or kook. The author is saying that the idea of diagram sentence might sound crazy because it’s in a different format that not everyone is use to learning about sentences.

adjective

• serving to deter.
• Deter(noun):  to prevent (something) from happening

Sources:http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Deterrent

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deter

I came across this word in the reading excerpt, “A Picture Of Language: The Fading Art Of Diagramming Sentences” by Juanna Summers. This word can be found in the sentence “In 1985, the National Council of Teachers of English declared that “repetitive grammar drills and exercises” — like diagramming sentences — are “a deterrent to the improvement of students’ speaking and writing”. From learning what deterrent meant, this sentence is saying that repetitive grammar drills and exercises are preventing the improvement of students speaking and writing skills. It seems as though there’s no expansion of learning happening if students are being taught the same over and over again.