---
product_id: 17370704
title: "Breaking the Rules: Liberating Writers Through Innovative Grammar Instruction"
brand: "edgar h. schuster"
price: "€ 19.46"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 5
url: https://www.desertcart.fr/products/17370704-breaking-the-rules-liberating-writers-through-innovative-grammar-instruction
store_origin: FR
region: France
---

# Breaking the Rules: Liberating Writers Through Innovative Grammar Instruction

**Brand:** edgar h. schuster
**Price:** € 19.46
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Breaking the Rules: Liberating Writers Through Innovative Grammar Instruction by edgar h. schuster
- **How much does it cost?** € 19.46 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.fr](https://www.desertcart.fr/products/17370704-breaking-the-rules-liberating-writers-through-innovative-grammar-instruction)

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- edgar h. schuster enthusiasts

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## Description

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    An excellent revisionist perspective on grammar instruction
  

*by K***R on Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2016*

A thorough look at the history of modern academic English, how it was enshrined in grammar texts, and why so much of how English is taught in schools actually harms literacy and grammar study. A must read for any English teacher wondering why his/her students "don't know grammar." But they do! A refreshing perspective complete with exercises to try with students.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Five Stars
  

*by A***R on Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2015*

Excellent, this item is exactly what I expected.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    BTR customer review
  

*by J***S on Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2005*

Have you ever broken a rule? Is grammar too traditional? Do you think there are too many rules in grammar? In Schuster's book he says, "Errors count, but not as much as most English teachers think." Do you believe that phrase? If you answered "yes" to the previous questions, Breaking the Rules is a grammar resource you will find interesting and informative. The book makes the reader realize alternative ways to the approach of teaching of grammar.  The first two chapters: "Definitions That Do Not Define" and Rules That Do Not Rule" brought back memories of past grammar instruction. I recall a paper I wrote, which I considered creative and personal coming back with red marks and comments on verb usage, comma placement, first-person pronouns, and on and on. What about what I had to say? Not hardly a word or comment. What effect do you think that had on my writing progress? I will let you answer that question.  In discussing "Definitions That Do Not define" and "Rules That Do Not Rule"  Schuster moves away from the traditional teaching of grammar in schools to a view that students already possess instinctive grammar rules and that language itself is instinctive. He states his opinion on page 3 with the comment: "We acquire our native language without being taught, we don't need teachers or books or any kind of scholastic drill." This book definitely makes the reader think of past experiences and  how frustrating they were. As a student, I often wondered why I had to know these definitions and rulesto become a better writer. Schuster's idea of the "myth rules" (or a set of grammar rules which he believes are not relevant anymore) made me think of papers returned to me marked in red. For example, how does using "less" and "fewer" correctly make me a better writer? Does starting a sentence with "and" or "fewer" make my writing confusing? I never asked these questions of the teacher, but I probably should have. Schuster goes on to say if we forbid students to use passives and make them use topicsentences, then we limit them. One of the last things a teacher would want to do is hinder or limit his/her student's writing progress, and as Schuster states, "Writing is a skill thatimproves with glacial slowness." To students who have had difficulty with the rule and definitions of  grammar, this book would certainly show them there is hope for their writing. While teachers limit the student with "rules and "definitions" Schuster states on page 149: "Learning to write is learning to use all one's mind in the making." By leaving some leeway in the application of grammar (rules and definitions) teachers create more positive writers.  Schuster, however, is not without fault. His arguments against rules and definitions are refreshing, but his solutions are sometimes disappointing. They are complicated, such ashis definitions of prescriptive rules (rules that tell us what we should do) and descriptive rules (what native speakers of a language customarily do). If Schuster doesn't believe inthe rules, why would he make the definitions of "rules" more complicated? In another part of the text Schuster describes passive writing. This part of the book covers 11 pages.I had to read parts of this over a few times, and I still don't think I understand it. In yet another part of Breaking the Rules Schuster says that paragraphs and punctuation don't matter. This may be true, but using them correctly certainly makes for easier reading.  In this book Schuster conveys two points:  One, that he is a very intelligent man and two, that he gets the reader (teacher) to think about grammar and how it is taught. How would he be able to dispute the rules of grammar if he didn't? This book, combined with a more traditional book on grammar, such as Grammar For Language Arts Teachers by Calderonello, Martin & Blair, would give the student and reader a wide perspective onthe subject. As mentioned before, his goal is to make the reader more aware and open-minded about grammar, and he has definitely accomplished that.

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*Product available on Desertcart France*
*Store origin: FR*
*Last updated: 2026-03-18*