The Hannah Frankman Podcast

Ellen Fishbein: How Writing Should Be Taught in School

Jan 16, 2025

Ellen Fishbein, a seasoned editor and writing coach, shares invaluable insights on writing education. She unveils her three principles: clarity in communication, having a clear goal, and the importance of editing. Ellen emphasizes the need to move away from traditional academic writing styles and offers advice for parents on nurturing young writers. Discover how simplifying complex ideas can enhance effective communication and learn about her innovative publishing projects, including the unique concept behind 'Memes Make Millions'.

54:56

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Episode guests

Ellen Fishbein

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Effective writing focuses on conveying a clear message, prioritizing what to say before worrying about how to say it.

Encouraging children to write about their interests helps foster a lifelong love for writing and enhances their intrinsic motivation.

Deep dives

Encouraging Natural Writing Development

Encouraging children to write about their interests can foster a lifelong love for writing. When kids are excited about topics such as dinosaurs or outer space, celebrating their enthusiasm and inviting them to create stories about these subjects can be highly beneficial. This approach not only taps into their natural curiosity but also makes space for them to engage with writing on their own terms. Ultimately, writing should be recognized as a skill that develops organically, often through self-motivation and intrinsic interest.

Intro

4min

Revolutionizing Writing Education

18min

The Power of Clear Objectives in Writing

3min

The Art of Clear Communication

16min

Nurturing Young Writers

11min

Innovative Approaches in Writing and Publishing

3min

Ellen Fishbein is a full time editor who has worked with writers like Coleman Hughes, Shane Parrish, and David Perell. She and her team offer coaching via Writing.coach and publish short books via Altamira Studio.

Expect to learn Ellen’s 3 Principles of Writing that she wishes were taught in school, the importance of having clear goals before you begin writing, why we should first focus on being persuasive in our writing, and how to begin “deschooling” from the academic writing style. We also talk about how Ellen developed a love for reading and writing at a young age and how parents can encourage passionate children to fall in love with the process of writing.

Chapters:

0:00 - Ellen Fishbein

3:24 - Why is Writing So Important?

5:06 - The 3 Principles of Writing

13:30 - What Do we Need to Unlearn from Public School

18:44 - What Really Matters When it Comes to Writing

25:18 - Why is it So Hard to Distill What We Want to Say?

32:25 - Deschooling from Academic Writing

36:44 - Is There Utility to Learning to Write in the Way We Teach in School?

40:30 - Advice for Homeschooling Parents

45:45 - Ellen's Education and Writing Experience

49:44 - The Power of Encouraging Kids to Write