Pullman on writing and the National Curriculum

[Enitharmon]

Interesting article by Philip Pullman in todays Grauniad...

[Tristan]

yeah, nick just sent me that... it's a neat article, I like the fishing analogy

[Daniel]

Yes! Finally there's someone else who agrees that those time-constrained write-what's-happening-in-the-picture questions are a waste of time!

[AySz88]

Finally, someone realizes that English is not supposed to be a "How to BS" course. And it happened to be Pullman, too!

[Tristan]

... we don't have the picture things, just "writing prompts". Same awful idea though Complete wastes of time.....

[Enitharmon]

Yes, it's about time somebody pointed out to the wider world that writing often involves a lot of chewing pencils, making cups of coffee and generally finding pressing things to do

I thought it was a really good insight into how writing works. And yes, it is a lonely business much of the time.

[eloquent]

Then of course you tend to get the old blank page, blank mind problem.

[Enitharmon]

Then of course you tend to get the old blank page, blank mind problem.

My pages aren't usually blank, they are stained with blood-streaked tears!

[eloquent]

Oooh. Conjunctivitis can get nasty, you should get treated .


No really, I know what you meant.

[BenRoshi]

nothing better then an author who bashes the english program!

[Kyrillion]

Totally. I remember doing the stoy part of the segment for my practise SAT. I started writing this long, rambling this with all these weird characters, all about unicorns. It was darn imaginiative. But it was completely worthles, of coure, because I hadn't done the beginning-middle-end thing. Well, I agree with PP: more important to get children in love with reading and writing, then teach them how to do it well.