The Walking Dead Forum

Walking Dead episode 1 spoilers within.

We are conducting a 'writing challenge' across our school this term. Their writing task is due on Monday. Out of each class the best student will win an ipod touch! A pretty good reward for the best work an a way for us to encourage students to ACTUALLY write something.

Today a student came to me to check that his 'final' idea for the story was ok.

'Sir' he stated.

'Yes' I replied.

'I have this mad idea for my story'

'Ok, go ahead'

'So there's this sheriff right, and he goes out to stop some robbers, and they put out a spike strip and the robbers car crashes. He gets shot but is ok because he has a bulletproof vest. Then he gets up and another robber jumps up an shoots him in the side. Then...'

'Stop right there' I exclaim. 'You have just described the opening to The Walking Dead'.

This indescribable look appeared across the face of the student. 'Oh man, I can't believe Sir knows the Walking Dead.'

Just thought I'd relate this story. I can't describe the number of times I have read video game knock offs as original works. Some students seem to think that 'creative writing' means 'describe the plot of a movie/show or game that you think the teacher doesn't know' . If I have to read another story with Soap and Captain Price in it that is later claimed to be an original work, I am at a loss of what to do.

Hah, wow. Is this High School?

Hmm, must be great the look on their faces when you call them on their 'original story'

That's priceless, please do continue to share good sir!

I think students get away with it a lot as a lot of English teachers in particular are of an older generation with little to no knowledge of video games or HBO and AMC TV Series (particularly here in Aus where those shows are hard to come by). It was hilarious watching his face change as he realised I knew what show he was talking about as an 'original' idea. He initially tried denying he knew about the show at all but had to eventually own up.