Interview

In an interview with Professor B of the English department, I was informed how important grammar truly is when writing, speaking, and being able to think at the highest of levels. Professor B informed me that grammar not only affects the way a student relates his or her thoughts, but also grammar affects the way a student thinks. When a student's grammar is limited, their language if affected as well; consequently they are not able to relate as deeply to certain ideas and positions that other students whom are well versed in grammar are able to. I was offended by this comment initially. I am not very well versed when it comes to describing each detail in a sentence, but as I spoke to others about this response, I was enlightened to the idea that Professor B was not cutting down my ability to think, but simply stating that someone with a better understanding and use of grammar may be better able to use language to their advantage when relating a certain position or idea to someone.

In my interview, I asked professor B how important grammar was in his profession, as a writer and as an English teacher. He responded with the idea that grammar is the vein of writing and without grammar, the thought process of all individuals would be hindered immensely. Thoughts that are incomplete lack clarity, and this was one of the frequent problems professor B identified in the interview. Lack of clarity and use of concrete words and descriptions is the biggest problem many young college students have when trying to relate their thoughts on paper. Because they do not understand the basic functions of language, nor do they understand how to use language in order to convey their thoughts in the clearest manner possible. Through this interview I realized that grammar is necessary not only to writing majors and English professors, but also to the rest of the literate world, because without proper grammar, your thinking is limited to a lesser degree.