Jodie Clark

I’m a linguist and fiction writer with over 20 years of experience exploring the mysteries of language.

Portals to new ideas

I believe that understanding grammatical structures can open portals to creative new ideas in writing, teaching and life.

Grammar as welcome

During my academic career I’ve developed a relaxed, intuitive, empowering approach to learning and teaching the basic principles of grammar. Often people’s only motivation to study grammar is a fear of being “grammar shamed,” which can mean being hypervigilant about prescriptive language rules or feeling like an imposter because they can’t tell a conjunction from a preposition.

Grammar, for me, should never be a site of shame, but a place of welcome. At the heart of all my work is the idea that language is not to be used, acquired or commanded, but inhabited. When we dwell within the accommodating structure of language, we are transformed.

Publications

Clark, J. (2023). Refreshing grammar: An easy-going guide for teachers, writers and other creative people. GFD.

Clark, J. (2021). ‘Gay, aren’t they?’ An ethnographic approach to compulsory heterosexuality. In J. Angouri and J. Baxter (Eds), The Routledge handbook of language, gender, and sexuality. Oxford.

Clark, J. (2021). Go. In B. White & L. D. Kastner (Eds.), Running wild anthology of stories, Vol. 5. Running Wild Press.

Clark, J. (2020). The words of your language. In J. Simms (Ed.), After happy hour review, Issue 13 (pp. 55-62). Retrieved from https://afterhappyhourreview.com/Issues.html

Clark, J. (2016). Selves, bodies and the grammar of social worlds: Reimagining social change. Palgrave.

Clark, J. (2013). ‘Maybe she just hasn’t matured yet’: Politeness, gate-keeping and the maintenance of status quo in a community of practice. Journal of politeness research, 9(2), 211-237.

Clark, J. (2012). Language, sex and social structure: Analysing discourses of sexuality. Palgrave.

Clark, J. (2011). ‘No, like proper north’: Re-drawing boundaries in an emergent community of practice. In: Linguistic Politeness Research Group (ed.). Discursive approaches to politeness. Mouton de Gruyter, 109-132.

Clark, J. (2011). Relational work in a sporting community of practice. In: Davies, Bethan L., Haugh, Michael and Merrison, Andrew John (eds.). Situated politeness. Continuum, 88-107.