Writing is a primary way individuals communicate what they think and feel. They are able to express their emotions, thoughts, hopes, dreams and opinions through writing for others to read and understand. Children learn grammatical basics through speech at an early stage before formal training in school begins. Continuing instruction in grammar makes students aware how grammar functions and helps them control, and use, writing in increasingly effective ways. Skillful use of grammar may be the single most important means of controlling the process that makes communication through writing possible.
             Some say that teaching grammar detracts from the writing process, that there is no correlation between knowing grammar and being a good writer. (Kolln, 139). Others say poor attention to grammar makes reading difficult for the reader and detracts from an otherwise strong position. (Soven, 65). I tend to agree with the latter. While worrying about grammar at the wrong time in the writing process can make creative writing difficult, time must be allocated for correcting grammatical errors just as time is allocated for correcting spelling errors. I am sure most of you have had to read a piece fraught with spelling and grammatical errors to the point that understanding what the writer was trying to say was, at best, difficult. Granted, a perfect paper is not necessary for complete comprehension of the writer's intent; never the less, writers should strive to write to their full potential and not willingly accept mediocrity.
             Think about your personal writing efforts. When you sit down to write a piece of work for publication, do you decide that, if you are 90% correct grammatically, that is good enough? No you write, review, and re-write until you are satisfied that you have done the best you can. Then you give the product to peers and request their recommendations for improvement. If you strive for that level of perfection,...