Greek Myth: Uranus, a Monster Who Created Monsters

As mentioned in a previous post, Greek mythology is a complicated web of characters birthed by multiple deities. The birth of Uranus (son of Gaea) in Greek Myth also has his own part in creating monsters, both figuratively and literally. In examining his birth and rise to power, we can see how he created the more modern understanding of warring gods who fight for control of mortal fate and destiny.

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Examining Gary Paulsen’s ‘Dogsong’: Nature and Survival

Gary Paulsen was an incredible author who wrote a delightful body of work. His novels have inspired many young adults to write their own stories of nature and survival. His 1985 novel Dogsong, which is another popular novel by Paulsen, carries this familiar theme. It has had an incredible impact on young adults and the world of young-adult fiction. 

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A River Runs Through It and the Stories They Tell

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it,” writes Norman Maclean in A River Runs through it and Other Stories. “The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.”

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Crafting Atmosphere in Writing for Better Stories

Atmosphere is an essential part of reading and writing, because it is a catalyst for all of the feelings that a reader will experience throughout a book or story. There are not many books that are devoid of atmosphere, and if there are–they are probably experimental in nature. However, atmosphere is hard to avoid as it can be a subconscious effort from a writer who is scribing specific experiences from their life or the fictitious lives of their characters. In this post, we are going to discuss the idea of establishing “atmosphere” in stories.

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“November” by Sara Teasdale Analysis

In November, the frost wakes us up in the morning, and we can smell the winter on its way. Yet, autumn is still there in the ground. The leaves, red and gold, lay covered in what will soon be snow. November may be a strange moth of transition, but many authors have tried to capture its wonder. With that said, Sara Teasdale’s poem, “November” perfectly encapsulates the month and captures the spirit rightly. This “November” by Sara Teasdale analysis discusses Novembers cold and kindness.

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Why Writing Simply for Clearer Meaning is Important

Often, beginning writers write long, winding sentences that lose track of their meaning. Typically, this happens because novice writers have a lot to prove, and simply do too much. What budding writers forget is that writing simply for clearer meaning is important. Writing simply is an important function of writing because it shows that the writer has a direct command of language. In this way, they are able to say more with less. It is okay to write big, long sentences with lots of punctuation and conjunctions from time to time. Yet, it is an entirely other thing to write simple, direct sentences that pack a lot of meaning.

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An Analysis of “The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde: Magical Allegory

Magic is a wonderful element in fiction. It appears from wizards’ hands and from the Emerald City itself. There are also a great deal of regrettable actions in fiction, that lead characters to sin and vice. Yet, sometimes magic appears in tales of woe and regret. In “The Selfish Giant,” by Oscar Wilde, a magical garden takes center stage, as well as religious allegory and sorrow.

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Improving Syntax and Sentence Structure in Writing

Writers must stop and wonder about their craft often. If they don’t, then evolving as a writer becomes impossible. One way to guarantee an evolving writing style is exploring the fundamentals of writing. By understanding what makes grammar work and function, writers obtain a larger command of language and set better routines. In this way, understanding syntax and sentence structure in writing is important for writers, so they know the best ways to formulate words and sentences.

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The Real Identity of Alexandre Dumas’s The Man in the Iron Mask

In Alexander Dumas’s 1847 novel The Man in the Iron Mask, the three musketeers are once again united to defend honor and the crown. This time, they work together to replace the King of France with his twin brother–the titular Man in the Iron Mask. Yet, while much of this story is literary nonfiction, the kernels of truth are compelling. In fact, there was a real Man in the Iron Mask. With that said, historical mysteries are interesting because when they remain unsolved for centuries, speculation tends to overshadow factual accounts. This is definitely true in the case of the man in the iron mask, who was an unknown figure in history, likely imprisoned for political crimes against King Louis XIV.

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Creating Simple Sentences for Stronger Writing

As writers, we should know our craft, and, unfortunately, part of that is grammar. I say “unfortunately” because English grammar is really hard to understand sometimes. Yet, the more you know the better off you will be when it comes time to write. With that in mind, the best place to start is always at the beginning. Of course, we can skip the letters and sounds that we learn when we are children, but we need to start at a foundational point. This point is known as “the simple sentence,” which is also known as a subject and a predicate. Creating simple sentences in writing can help create stronger writing.

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Reading, Writing, and Reciprocity

The Writing Post

Reading, Writing, and Reciprocity

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