CGP (books)
Encyclopedia
CGP, standing for Coordination Group Publications, is a textbook
publishing
company
, and the UK's leading educational publisher, having published over 600 books. Their main range is "CGP Revision Guides"; these are written in an informal style, containing many joke
s and diagrams. The company was founded by, and is owned by, Richard Parsons
.
1 through to A Level. They are written using colloquial English
, and they contain a large number of pun
s and diagrams. They are recommended by a number of schools, although there are concerns that they undermine traditional teaching and "deride schoolwork".
guide, because it was "explicit" and "trivalised sex".
There have also been complaints that it dumbs down
important matters, such as its reworking of William Shakespeare
's Romeo and Juliet
.
In these matters, CGP maintains that it is "trying to make serious subjects accessible to young people".
Textbook
A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
publishing
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
, and the UK's leading educational publisher, having published over 600 books. Their main range is "CGP Revision Guides"; these are written in an informal style, containing many joke
Joke
A joke is a phrase or a paragraph with a humorous twist. It can be in many different forms, such as a question or short story. To achieve this end, jokes may employ irony, sarcasm, word play and other devices...
s and diagrams. The company was founded by, and is owned by, Richard Parsons
Richard Parsons (author)
Richard Parsons of Broughton-in-Furness, Lancashire, England is a former teacher and the author of a series of best-selling GCSE study guides...
.
CGP Revision Guides
CGP Revision Guides are the main product line published by CGP. They cover a range of school subjects at varying levels, from Key StageKey Stage
A Key Stage is a stage of the state education system in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the British Territory of Gibraltar setting the educational knowledge expected of students at various ages...
1 through to A Level. They are written using colloquial English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, and they contain a large number of pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
s and diagrams. They are recommended by a number of schools, although there are concerns that they undermine traditional teaching and "deride schoolwork".
Controversy
The informal style in which many of CGP's books are written has caused controversy, especially considering that they are aimed at teenagers. For example, there were complaints about their sex educationSex education
Sex education refers to formal programs of instruction on a wide range of issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, contraception, and...
guide, because it was "explicit" and "trivalised sex".
There have also been complaints that it dumbs down
Dumbing down
Dumbing down is a pejorative term for a perceived trend to lower the intellectual content of literature, education, news, and other aspects of culture...
important matters, such as its reworking of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
.
In these matters, CGP maintains that it is "trying to make serious subjects accessible to young people".