‘Tis the season for pomp and circumstance! Graduation can be an exciting yet emotional time for students as they transition from one chapter to the next. After the diplomas have been stamped and the caps have been tossed, it’s normal to feel unsure about what comes next. Whether you’ve recently graduated or are looking for…
Admit it: reading Shakespeare is not your cup of tea. At first, trying to read Shakespeare's works may seem like learning a foreign language. Performed for audiences over four centuries ago, Shakespeare's plays were written in Early Modern English, so it’s natural to feel confused by word choices and sentence structures that have evolved since…
In honor of Black History Month, we’re highlighting stories by black women. All of these selections illustrate the complexities that black women have faced when confronting new destinations or social realities. Because of a history of gender and racial bias, black women writers have been underrepresented in the literary canon. In broadening the landscape the…
Read More "8 Books by Black Women to Read for Black History Month"
At first, analyzing a poem may seem like an intimidating task, especially considering the myriad poetic forms out there. It’s important to note, however, that a poem can have different meanings for different readers. Many poems are intentionally left open-ended and refuse to resolve their internal tensions. As poet Billy Collins says, you should not…
There comes a point in a student’s academic career where she'll have to write a summary. Knowing how to write a summary is one of the most beneficial skills that demonstrates reading comprehension and writing ability. Writing a good summary indicates that you clearly understand a text and that you can effectively communicate that understanding…
As much as we love to indulge in engaging works of fiction, there's something about a true story that's unmatched—particularly memoirs. A memoir invites readers into an intimate literary experience that can possess a strong sense of voice and perspective. Above all, learning about other real-life experiences can lead us to reflect on our own.…
Read More "Michelle Obama’s Becoming and 8 Other Memoirs You Need to Read Right Now"
Curious to know what students in your state are reading? Us too! As literature experts, it’s part of our job to know all things literary—like what books are trending among our fellow bibliophiles and high school students. We looked at what books and study guides our users are searching for the most when they visit…
A new school year means a fresh start—an opportunity to reflect, learn, and improve. We’ve been doing some of our own reflecting, learning, and improving so our student and teacher users gain the most out of their eNotes experience. From fresh designs to updated content, we continue to strive for simplicity, transparency, and high academic…
