Then I'll just write it here. It's not a big deal.

ColinsMum,

Are you having a rough day? If so, and if I made it rougher, I apologize. You usually write thoughtful messages and that one I responded to seemed very different from your typical ones. I was surprised.

In any event, people may indeed write better in the UK than they do in the US, but that quote Bostonian posted was typical (or maybe even actually a bit better) than a lot of the stuff I've read over here in the US. Teaching writing really seems to have gone out of style in this country, and I'm very concerned about what the consequences will be. Even gifted kids need a lot of help with writing, but our schools and colleges seem increasingly reticent to offer it. frown

Val