Grammar Essentials Workshop with Susan McKerihan

We all ‘know’ grammar: we use it instinctively every time we speak or write. But from the 1970s until recently, grammar was no longer formally taught in most Australian schools, and as a result, many people struggle to understand how the language works.

A knowledge of grammar can help you manage the mechanics and nuances of writing. So, whether you write creatively or as part of a business or technical role, understanding the basics of grammar will give you confidence as a writer.

Don’t be daunted by those mysterious terms ‘subject’, ‘object’, ‘verb’, ‘active/passive voice’, and ‘semi-colon’. The concepts are easy to grasp when presented through real-life examples, and you will gain a powerful tool for organising your words and sentences.

This one-day workshop with author and editor Susan McKerihan introduces the fundamental elements of grammar and explains how they work in real life. It covers these grammatical features and principles:

- the eight parts of speech and their functions
- phrases, clauses and sentences
- verbs, including tense, mood, voice, participles, auxiliaries
- grammatical case
- punctuation

We will also examine the most common areas of difficulty, as well as the language ‘myths’ that are often (wrongly) assumed to be non-negotiable rules.

Through discussion and written exercises, you will gain confidence in your ability to write and to make choices in language and style. And there’s a side benefit for anyone who’s trying to learn a foreign language, as your classes will almost certainly include grammar!