Image Grammar: Using Grammatical Structures to Teach Writing

by Harry R. Noden and E.J. Koh

A means for teachers to integrate grammar and writing, comparing a writer to an artist who paints images using grammatical structures. Concepts illustrate how writers use image grammar to develop their art, while strategies provide classroom-tested lessons, as offered on the CD-ROM.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0867094664
• ISBN13: 9780867094664
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 214 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.3" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 6 to 10

Customer Reviews

Image Grammar is a very successful classroom practice.

There are many, many theories that involve the teaching of grammar within the classroom, however, few are successful when put into practice. I've studied a lot of them and tried some out to no avail. Fortunately, I had the pleasure of hearing Noden speak at a seminar and instantly realized that his ideas were highly conducive to the English teacher motto of "show don't tell." I got ahold of his book as soon as I could. I found out that Image Grammar utilizes authentic works of writing in an effort to model how grammar works within the writing structure; how it manipulates words to communicate one's ideas, tone, mood, description, etc. . . I have found that once your students understand WHY learning grammar is important to them as writers, as communicators, then they want to master grammar. They want to use it to make their writing sing like the professional authors' writing used to model the concepts. Image Grammar offers an authentic approach to grammar instruction that no typical English text book could possibly do. For the last two years, I have used Image Grammar in my classroom and have had more successes with my students collectively and individually. This year, 123 out of 127 of my seventh-graders passed the writing portion of the off-grade proficiency. I am convinced that Image Grammar helped put them over the top. Many of them profess to me that they now have a clearer understanding of grammar when they "see it at work" within a piece of writing.Image Grammar if a very successful classroom practice. It goes beyond grammar and lends style to your students' writing.

also for writers

There are few books in the study of writing techniques that achieve classic status. This book merits that status. Every writer, beginning or advanced, professional, or amateur, should get a copy. To say that Noden covers everything is only the beginning. Inside, Noden gives concrete examples of what makes writing a story effective, how a writer can create characters so alive that they seem to come alive off the printed page and stand in front of you in the flesh and blood. Noden will propel the writer into new depths of construting stories.

Easily Adaptable!

I love to try new strategies, and with 25 yrs of teaching experience, I look for suggestions that have worked for others. Mr. Noden's book shares the best of what students can do when given nudges and suggestions with plenty of visually stimulating images. I have adapted his suggestions to facilitate my urban, gifted sixth grade students, and their writing began to take on a new flare and style unlike that of any prior assignments. My students have access to computers and are able to self-select a photo or picture, and begin their writing independently. My students are pleased with their products and seem to take a special pride in displaying the photo/picture as they share their work with the entire class. I thank you, Harry Noden, for adding life to my lessons and teaching!

Image Grammar - For Writers of All Ages!

Masters of our language can seem like magicians, the paintings they make with words their tricks, leaving us wondering, how do they DO that? How did Hemingway, London, Steinbeck DO that? How does Bradbury paint, as he does, with his typewriter? How do the pros paint images that stay with us long after we've finished reading?In Harry Noden's Image Grammar, he teaches us, whether we be teachers of writers or writers ourselves, that there is method to the magic made by our most talented writers. He shows us, in a way that is practical, and crystal clear, the grammatical structures used by our best writers, giving examples of the techniques, and breaking them down so that the techniques can be applied by writers and student writers. He gives us tested classroom strategies useful in teaching the structures or in applying them, again, in our own writings.Image Grammar has taught me much as a writer and has allowed my 7th and 8th grade students to write on a new level, with a new passion, and using professional writing structures and written images I'd never known kids could produce. In its impact on teaching writing, Image Grammar is revolutionary. And once you see how the magic is done, you'll never write, teach writing, or even read writing in the same way again.

Painting with Words

Mr. Noden's book is an excellent resource for teaching students to "paint with words". He begins with simple word choice issues (using specific nouns and verbs, adding detail with prepositional phrases, the use of similes and metaphors) then moves us through an entire process directed at drawing out the best writing our students can produce. Mr. Noden's specific details and quality examples illustrate the techniques he uses beautifully. I found the techniques in this book improved my students' writing almost immediately. This book is a must for any educator that is interested in guiding his or her students to their maximum potential as writers.