The Descriptive Approach

Marcie Gooley
LAPU
Engl 420
Professor Gentry
April 17, 2023
 The Descriptive Approach to
language is when it tries to explain
The Descriptive things as they actually are, not as
we wish them to be. It describes the
Approach way people use language.

A descriptive Approach to language

takes the view that language is a
phenomenon that can be studied
scientifically.

https://caxton1485.worldpress.com
 The rules are implicit, we apply it
without knowing the exact rule, and
its unconscious.

Common Errors With the Descriptive Approach there

are no rights or wrongs associated
No Rights or Wrongs with using language, only what
people do with language
 Descriptive grammar focuses on
Common describing the language as it is used,
not saying how it should be used.
Descriptive https://amyrey.web.unc.edu

grammar
I’m making grammatical errors all the
time when I’m speaking or writing. I’m
taking out words that should be there,
I’m speaking in incomplete sentences.
This doesn’t mean that it’s wrong if it’s
serving its purpose.
 Descriptive grammar is broken down into two

Teaching The parts: word level grammar and sentence level

grammar. Word level covers 8 parts of speech.
Sentence grammar covers word groups. The
Descriptive four most common forms of descriptive
language are adjectives, adverbs, similes, and

Approach metaphors. Sentence grammar covers

phrases, sentences, clauses, and reported
speech.

https://www.readingrockets.org
 Grammar plays a big part of in ELA
(English Language Arts) mastery

ELA Mastery because it refers to the study and

use of the English language in
academic settings. ELA
encompasses reading, writing,
listening, and speaking. It helps us
in the classroom and outside of it.

https://www.splashlearn.com
 Reflecting on the developmental
aspects of grammar instruction is that
it has many building blocks. Building
blocks for children to understand and
express themselves in longer and
Reflecting more complex ways. It’s the set of
rules of how words, groups of words,
and sentences can go together.
https://www.education.vic.gov.au
REFERENCES

Grammar in Early Childhood. Literacy Toolkit. https://education.vic.gov.au

Grammar in Early Childhood. 2018. https://www.education.vic.gov.au
Reading Rockets. Descriptive Writing. https://www.readingrockets.org
Thompson Rivers University. Using Descriptive Language. 2015.
https://inside.tru.ca
What is ELA. https://www.splashlearn.com