Author of groundbreaking novels like “Esperanza Rising" and "Echo," Pam Muñoz Ryan has made literature more representative by expertly mining her own rich Mexican American heritage.

A venomous snake who can kill with its gaze alone, the basilisk has terrified us for thousands of years. But it also has another name—the cockatrice. That’s right, the reptile-chicken hybrid creature and the poisonous snake are actually...

Before these stoney grotesques became monsters they were just water spouts. We still adorn our buildings with the carvings and sculptures of the frightening, funny, and exaggerated forms—but why? Learn all about the strange history of...

Godzilla is one of the most recognizable monsters in film, and he should be. After all, he is part of the longest running film franchise in the world, but you might be surprised to learn that his history in literature is just as...

Dive into the inspiring narratives of influential black storytellers who shape our understanding of culture, identity, and history. From literature to music, film to photography, these creators share the importance of representation and...

Mr. Griot explores the characteristics of poetry and figurative language by looking at examples and examining text.

In this captivating retelling, the tragic tale of Macbeth unfolds with vivid detail. We witness the fateful encounter with the three weird sisters, whose prophecies set in motion a chain of events that lead to Macbeth's downfall. As he...

This video provides a reflective analysis of the tragic conclusion of Shakespeare's Macbeth, emphasizing the themes of ambition, fate, and moral decay. Through humorous commentary and poetic reflections, it explores the consequences of...

This video examines the significance of witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth, highlighting how King James I's fascination with witchcraft influenced the inclusion of witches in the play. It explores the historical context of witch hunts in...

This video features the intense confrontation between Macbeth and Macduff, where Macbeth defiantly faces his adversary, believing himself invincible due to a prophecy. Macduff, however, reveals his unique birth circumstances, leading to...

In this video, Malcolm and Ralph discuss the aftermath of the battle and the implications of Macduff and Young Seward's deaths. They explore themes of loyalty, honor, and the consequences of tyranny, shedding light on the characters'...

Explore Shakespeare's intricate use of imagery and metaphor in Act 1, Scene 7 of Macbeth, as Davina and Ralph dissect the moral complexities surrounding Duncan's murder. Delve into Shakespeare's evocative portrayal of Duncan's virtues as...

Shakespeare's realistic portrayal of the ghost in Hamlet was unique and likely unexpected compared to the traditional theatrical ghosts that were more fantastical and less emotionally nuanced. This video also touches on new historicism,...

Discover how falconry influenced Shakespeare's works and the English language with terms like "fed up" and "haggard."

This video unpacks hyperbole, a figure of speech that uses intentional exaggeration for emphasis or humor. It demonstrates hyperbole's widespread use in literature, referencing works by Mark Twain and Lewis Carroll, and includes an...

This video explores allusion, a literary technique that briefly mentions well-known references to convey deeper meanings. It emphasizes the importance of audience knowledge for effective allusions, using examples from Charles Dickens,...

This video explores paradoxes in literature, explaining how they present self-contradictory statements that reveal deeper truths. It discusses examples like "wise fool" and "bittersweet" and examines George Orwell's use of paradox in...

This video delves into the figure of speech onomatopoeia, where words imitate the sounds they describe. It showcases various examples, from the clacking of shoes to the chimes in poems, illustrating how onomatopoeia enhances descriptive...

This video delves into various figures of speech, focusing on symbolism, allegory, onomatopoeia, paradox, and puns. It uses engaging examples, like Shakespeare's works, to explain how symbols convey complex, abstract ideas in literature,...

This video provides an in-depth exploration of literary elements and techniques used by writers to craft engaging stories. It covers themes, atmosphere, foreshadowing, diction, and anaphora, offering insights into how these tools shape...

Emily Dickinson's poetry frequently incorporates the color white, not as a symbol of purity or innocence, but as an emblem of intense emotion and passion, exemplified by her use of "white heat" as a metaphor for the soul's fervor....

With close to 400 filmed adaptations and countless stage performances, A Christmas Carol is one of the most adapted works of all time. And so it should be no surprise that many of these versions draw harsh criticism from viewers and...

Are you a reader? Talking about books is a great way to connect with people. Learn about Lindsay's and Michelle's reading habits and get the key questions to start a conversation about this inspiring topic.

Explaining Literature with Five W's restates ideas about fictional text by answering who, what, when, where and why questions.