Grammar Rules

Grammar, even in an ever-changing world, is necessary for clear communication; the benefits of a common structure far outweigh the demand for artistic fluidity.

Language is, first and foremost, a means of communication. The consistency of grammatical rules allow readers to get an accurate idea of what the writer was trying to convey. The presence of an Oxford comma, for example, can change the meaning of a sentence drastically (Source G). Punctuation marks not only prevent ambiguity, but can also be used to emphasize a point--each has its own connotation. Grammatically correct writing does not have to be devoid of style. The semicolon, as Dolnick states, "captures the way in which our thoughts are both liquid and solid" (Source E). The dash is "informal and essentially playful" (Source D). These connotations are universally recognized, and help create a connection between the author and audience. Adherence to the rules of grammar should remain the standard because it enables effective communication (Source A). Even if, as Hitchings asserts, punctuation has changed over time, the need for punctuation in general has not. In fact, new marks have cropped up due to social media sites like Twitter, showing that punctuation is still useful even in modern times. After all, not everyone is Emily Dickinson; loosening the confines of punctuation would probably result in more rubbish than poetry.