Years of research and demonstrate that traditional methods of grammar instruction simply do not work; one common complaint about grammar instruction from its lack of context-its reliance, for example, on abstract rules and examples. these stark examples clarify grammatical ideas; however, they fail to , including its grammar and punctuation, in action, in the real-life texts that . by incorporating the texts that students read or compose on their own, this lesson highlights the choice of the semicolon to create rhetorical effect in an audience, how one author uses the seemingly insignificant punctuation mark to his ideas and urges students to follow the model in their own writing; only by exploring language in context, written for a particular time and place, can students the subtle ways that punctuation affects meaning.

Which two elements does this excerpt from a christmas carol by charles dickens contain? "a small matter," said the ghost, “to make these silly folks so full of gratitude." "small! " echoed scrooge. the spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were pouring out their hearts in praise of fezziwig: and when he had done so, said, "why! is it not? he has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. is that so much that he deserves this praise? " "it isn’t that," said scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self. "it isn't that, spirit. he has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ’em up: what then? the happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune." he felt the spirit's glance, and stopped. "what is the matter? " asked the ghost. "nothing particular," said scrooge. "something, i think? " the ghost insisted. "no," said scrooge, "no. i should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. that's all."