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GRAMMARIAN DETAILED DESCRIPTION
| Being grammarian is truly an exercise in expanding
your listening skills. You have two basic responsibilities: First,
to introduce new words to members, and second, to comment on the use of
English during the course of the meeting.
PRIOR TO THE MEETING
- Select a "Word of the
Day" if this is done in your Club. It should be a word that
will help members increase their vocabulary and a word that can be
incorporated easily into everyday conversation but is different from
the way people usually express themselves. An adjective or adverb is
suggested since they are more adaptable than a noun or verb, but
feel free to select your own special word.
- In letters large enough to be seen from the back of the
room, print your word, its part of speech (adjective, adverb, noun,
etc.), and a brief definition. Prepare a sentence showing how the
word is used.
- Prepare a brief explanation of the duties of the grammarian for
the benefit of the guests.
UPON ARRIVAL AT THE MEETING
- Place your visual aid at the front of the room where it can be
seen by all.
- Get a blank piece of paper and pen ready on which to make notes,
or get a copy of the grammarian's log, if your Club has
one, from the Sergeant at Arms.
DURING THE MEETING
- When introduced prior to table topics, announce the "Word
of the Day" state its part of speech, define it, use it in
a sentence, and ask that anyone speaking during any part of the
meeting use it.
- Briefly explain the role of the grammarian.
- Throughout the meeting, listen to everyone's word usage. Write
down any awkward use or misuse of the language (incomplete
sentences, sentences that change direction in midstream, incorrect
grammar, malapropisms, etc.) with a note of who erred. Write down
who used the "Word of
the Day" (or a derivative of it) and note those who used it
correctly or incorrectly.
- When called on by the general evaluator during the evaluation
segment, stand by your chair and give your report. Try to offer the
correct usage in every instance where there was misuse instead of
only explaining what was wrong. Report on creative language usage
and announce who used the "Word
of the Day" (or a derivative of it) correctly or
incorrectly.
AFTER THE MEETING
- In some clubs the grammarian is called to give a completed report to the Treasurer for collection of
fines. Our club does not currently collect fines.
BACK
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RESOURCES
Word of the Day (Catalog No. 1415)
Word of the Day II (Catalog No. 1416)
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