The first post of 2009. I begin with a fragment. Why exactly are fragments such anathema to English teachers? In and of themselves, fragments are just bits and pieces, not quite finished but often bearing meaning. Then there is the infamous comma splice, an unpardonable sin of stringing independent clauses together with only the meager comma to separate them. So I guess stringing fragments together using commas as barriers would not constitute the comma splice error. This situation would only be compounded fragmentation. All of this grammatical sifting appears to be elitist fantasy, and making fun of the grammar police provides a few fun moments. I must, however, continue to defend the rules because they give us order and allow our musings to make sense to others. Readers bring so much to the text that can color their understanding. Writers might as well strive for clarity so at least some of their meaning will survive.
