[Lecture Two] Principles of Grammar
by Dr. Leonard Peikoff
Total Time: 2 hours, 16 minutes
Course summary: In this course, Dr. Peikoff explores the epistemological roots of the science of grammar. In it, he illustrates how an understanding of the basic methods of combining words into sentences is essential to clear thinking and writing. Each lecture contains student exercises that should be completed prior to the end of the lecture. Read more »
In this lecture: This lecture explores the ways that advancing from simple to complex sentences can advance the purposes of clarity as well as meet certain cognitive needs. Dr. Peikoff explains the role of appositives, subordination and conjunction, and sentence fragments. This session also includes Dr. Peikoff’s review of the answers to the homework for the first session.
Study Guide
This material is designed to help you digest the lecture content. You can also download below a PDF study guide for the entire course.
| What cognitive need does a sentence fragment typically violate? |
| When can a sentence fragment actually serve a cognitive purpose? |
| How can appositives advance a thinking process? |
| Why would a string of simple sentences inhibit clear thought? |
| What cognitive need would too many units in a row violate? |
| What added intellectual value is derived from the proper use of subordination? |
| How can different conjunctions alter sense and meaning? |
| What cognitive need do compound sentences serve? |
| What logical or hierarchical function do compound sentences serve? |
| How can overuse of subordination frustrate clarity? |
| Differentiate between ‘like’ and ‘as’. |