Introduction to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Written by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet is his most well-known play and is synonymous with love stories. It is the quintessential story of young “star-crossed lovers” and their tragic end. Shakespeare based his play on a poem by English poet Arthur Brooke, called “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet.” The play was first […]
Reading “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin
Désirée’s Baby is a short story by American writer Kate Chopin. First published in Vogue magazine in 1893, it was later included in Chopin’s short story collection Bayou Folk a year later, in 1894. Kate Chopin is regarded as one of the first writers in what would later develop into the feminist movement. Having moved […]
What is the Bystander Effect?
“If you see something, say something.” Posters with this slogan first popped up in New York City after the 9/11 attacks. Created by the New York Metropolitan Transport Authority, it urged citizens to be alert to signs of suspicious activity (which could potentially be related to terrorism) and to report them to the authorities. Today, […]
Writing Better with Useful Brainstorming Techniques
Brainstorming is an activity deployed in a group setting to solve problems by generating multiple ideas and creative solutions to address a particular issue. It can be used to come up with novel approaches and out-of-the-box conceptualizations. To brainstorm, understanding the problem is of primary importance. Since it is a group-based approach, encouraging everyone to […]
Summary and Analysis of ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’
The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story by American writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman and was first published in New England Magazine in 1892. It is an important piece of feminist literature and is frequently anthologized and studied. Based on the author’s own experiences, The Yellow Wallpaper describes a woman’s struggle with postpartum depression, the ineffective […]
Top Tips to Help You Study Effectively
Studying with focus and pointed attention is almost always a challenge for most students. Sparing a select few, short attention spans coupled with clouded thinking and procrastination often make studying an arduous task for students across age groups. The nights before are especially difficult with panicked students trying to cram all the information they can […]
What was the Columbian Exchange?
The Columbian Exchange was the exchange of organisms to and from the New and Old World that began with European explorations of the North and South American continents. Among the first, most significant, and most well-known of these voyages was the one undertaken by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492. Thus, the phenomenon of transfer […]
Does Music Help You Study?
Numerous students prefer studying with music and swear by the method. While this might be a handy trick to shut out noisy surroundings, or to help calm the mind when trying to focus on a particular topic, music has often been used by students to keep themselves away from distractions. Music is no doubt a […]
An Introduction to Argumentative Essays
Argumentative essays are among the most effective methods of juxtaposing two opposing viewpoints and arguing in favor of one. This method of essay writing emphasizes a methodical approach and relies on several different perspectives in support of the author’s position. When fleshing out an argumentative essay, writers can also use pointed facts, research, and other […]