Category Archives: Resources for Teaching
Cultivating a Pleasant Speaking Voice
When teaching the art of recitation or rhetoric, we sometimes forget to teach one element essential for confident presentation: a pleasant, well-modulated speaking voice. A timid, squeaky, mumbling, or breathy voice is not only be tiring to use, but can be a social and business liability. Here are a few ideas for cultivating a pleasant, well-modulated speaking voice. Continue reading
G. K. Chesterton on Aesop and his Fables
G. K. Chesterton on Aesop and his Fables G. K. Chesterton discusses some elements of fable and the fame of Aesop, in his introduction to a 1912 edition of Aesop’s Fables. Aesop embodies an epigram not uncommon in human history; his … Continue reading
Of Education by John Milton
Of Education by John Milton Of Education was published anonymously as a tract in 1644. It represents John Milton’s views “concerning the best and noblest way of education.” Milton believed that education was to “fit a man to perform justly, skillfully, and magnanimously all … Continue reading
Creating Outlines by Kathleen Lietzau
Creating Outlines by Kathleen Lietzau What is an Outline? Macro Outlines Micro Outlines Crafting an Outline Moving from the Outline to the Paper What is an Outline? An outline is a way of formally arranging and developing your ideas. Though … Continue reading
Journalism Story Structure by Mark Grabowski
Journalism Story Structure by Mark Grabowski Organizing the way you write journalism articles is as important as organizing the way you tell any story. Readers won’t tolerate a confusing story. They want a story that reads clearly and naturally. Keep … Continue reading
Jonathan Swift Resources
Jonathan Swift Resources Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) wrote some of the most brilliant satire in the English language, including his masterpiece Gulliver’s Travels. In his 1946 article, “Politics vs. Literature: An Examination of Gulliver’s Travels,” George Orwell wrote, “If I had to … Continue reading
Sample Compare-Contrast Essay Outline
Sample compare-contrast essay outline Here is a sample outline for an essay comparing and contrasting Achilles’ and Odysseus’ attitudes toward war. This example is excerpted from the Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers, which contains much more information on this topic … Continue reading
How to Write a Compare-Contrast Essay
What is a compare-contrast essay? Have you encountered an essay prompt that directs you to compare or contrast two elements (e.g., two characters in a story, two different political theories, two different religious doctrines or scientific explanations, two different historical … Continue reading
Hudson River School Artwork
The Hudson River School A group of artists known as the Hudson River School painted romantic landscape scenes, some of which depicted the American setting for Washington Irving’s works. These artists included Thomas Cole, Frederic Church, and Albert Bierstadt, and … Continue reading
How to Make a Mind Map
Mind mapping is one of the best tools you will find for generating ideas. All you need in order to begin is a pen and paper. Here’s how to do it. Continue reading