These processes can run throughout the lesson. I remember teaching speech marks to a Year-8 mixed-ability class. Their understanding of speech marks was all over the place. In fact, speech marks are quite difficult (though not as difficult as the apostrophe which, thank heavens, is currently on the critical list). Do you know exactly when and where you use a capital letter inside speech marks? Many English graduates certainly don't. I do, but that's only because I'm much older than they are. I explained to the class that, in their stories, they were misusing speech marks in various ways. I was preparing to explain the rules to them and, when they realised this, they groaned audibly. Not only is it boring to listen to the rules, but (more to the point) we know we probably