Reading Time: 7 minutes In the lesson before this, I’d read On the Sidewalk Bleeding with my Year 8 class, as part of a … More Poetry writing: A walk-through lesson
All articles about Writing
What makes good writing? Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge
Reading Time: 4 minutes In this series, I look at just a few sentences to get under the nuts and bolts of writing.
This post, it’s Frances Hardinge’s Skinful of Shadows*, which I’ve just finished.
When a creature dies, its spirit can go looking for somewhere to hide. Some people have space inside them, perfect for hiding. Makepeace, a courageous girl with a mysterious past, defends herself nightly from the ghosts which try to possess her. Then a dreadful event causes her to drop her guard for a moment. And now there’s a ghost inside her. The spirit is wild, brutish and strong, but it may be her only defence in a time of dark suspicion and fear. As the English Civil War erupts, Makepeace must decide which is worse: possession – or death.
Christmas presents for readers on #smallbizsatuk
Reading Time: 4 minutes Today is #SmallBizSatUK, an opportunity to talk about some of the great things that small businesses are doing around the country. … More Christmas presents for readers on #smallbizsatuk
Unpicking language in literature: why the blue curtains do matter
Reading Time: 3 minutes As a teacher, the thing I find myself saying over and over again to students is, “develop your language analysis”. … More Unpicking language in literature: why the blue curtains do matter
Writing interesting essay titles from dramatic headlines
Reading Time: 2 minutes I love this idea of turning dramatic headlines into an essay title or argument. I think it could work so well for A-Level and high-target GCSE students to make their writing really interesting and unusual.
November monthly writing prompts – one a day for ten minute starters
Reading Time: < 1 minute Download pdf: November monthly writing