I
like to begin any training that I do on
writing compositionwith the question,
“Whatmakes a book a good book?”
Participants discuss their favourites and
thenwe draw conclusions about their
choices –what is it about these stories that
they really love?
I often get similar responses: “It helpsme to
escape”; “I can really relate to the characters”;
or “It’s a real page turner.”
But the point I like tomake is that while the
quality of the story is subjective – it depends
on individual tastes – the quality of thewriting
ismore tangible and can be judged on how
well thewriter communicates his or her tale,
which can be hindered by elements such as
poor grammar, punctuation and spelling, and
by illegible handwriting.
So, what does theNational Curriculumfor
English tell usmakeswriting good?
Andwhat are themost crucial elements – the
ones bywhich children (and teachers) will
be judged?Well, there are 12 elements in
theNational Curriculum InterimTeacher
Assessment Framework (2016) for writing
at the expected standard at the end of Key
Stage 1 (Standards&TestingAgency, 2015):
one on expanded noun phrases for
description and specification; four on
grammar and punctuation; and seven on
spelling and handwriting.
Similarly, in the framework for writing at
the end of Key Stage 2 (Ibid), six out of nine
aspects relate to spelling, handwriting and
grammar and punctuation. And to beworking
at ‘greater depth’ at the end of KS2 children
need to be able tomanipulate grammatical
structures, select verb forms formeaning and
effect, and use the full range of punctuation.
The trouble is, spelling, grammar and
punctuation can be exceptionally boring,
and if childrenfind an activity dull theywill not
writewell. But great teachers love introducing
themore technical aspects of language
because they knowchildren really enjoy
discovering how these can be used to enhance
their writing.
Withthecurriculum’sheavyemphasisongrammar, there’sadanger
childrencouldbeputoffwritingforgood. Butgetyourplanning
rightandthere’splentyof funtobehad, says
EmmaCaulfield...
STUNNING
COMPOSITION
TEACH READING & WRITING
83
In association with
EMMA CAULFIELD
is a literary consultant and form er deputy head
