To make the case for reparations for the toll of slavery, acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates has offered forceful advocacy and powerful data-driven argument. With his first novel, "The Water Dancer," he uses fiction to illuminate the...

Lauren Wilkinson, author of our June pick for the NewsHour-New York Times book club, Now Read This, joins Jeffrey Brown to answer reader questions about “American Spy.”

The term Kafkaesque has entered the vernacular to describe unnecessarily complicated and frustrating experiences, especially with bureaucracy. But does standing in a long line to fill out confusing paperwork really capture the richness...

Mounting his skinny steed, Don Quixote charges an army of giants. It is his duty to vanquish these behemoths in the name of his beloved lady, Dulcinea. There's only one problem: the giants are merely windmills. What is it about this tale...

If you want to make a movie, generally you're going to want to start with a script. In this episode of Crash Course Film Production, Lily Gladstone talks about the basics of screenplays and how to get started thinking about and actually...

In this video, viewers are guided through the essential elements of storytelling, from setting the stage with exposition to introducing the protagonist and conflict. By focusing on key details like time, place, character development, and...

This video explores the different types of characters in a narrative, ranging from static characters who remain unchanged, to dynamic characters who undergo development. It introduces key character roles such as the protagonist,...

A short story is a great way to try your hand at creative writing. These steps will help you to write a short story that expresses your unique point of view.

Pupil outcome: I can understand and describe the character of Mulan. Key learning points: - The protagonist is a main character or central figure in a story or narrative. - Mulan is the protagonist who drives the actions and whose quest...

Pupil outcome: I can create a character profile for the protagonist Lila. Key learning points: - The protagonist is a main character or central figure in a story or narrative. - Lila is the protagonist in the story 'The Firework Maker's...

Pupil outcome: I can explore a range of characters in texts, articulating what makes them effective. Key learning points: - Reading allows you to explore your emotions and understand yourself better - Understanding a character's...

Pupil outcome: I can explain and explore the key events of Chapter 12 of 'Lord of the Flies'. Key learning points: - Ralph hides in the thicket of the forest as Jack's tribe hunt him down. - In an attempt to smoke Ralph out of the...

Pupil outcome: I can develop my understanding of the authorial context, plot and themes of ‘Front Desk’. Key learning points: - Understanding where and when a story is set enhances our understanding of characters and events. -...

Pupil outcome: I can engage with the opening chapter of ‘The Iron Man’. Key learning points: - ‘The Iron Man’ is a contemporary science fiction novel written by the author Ted Hughes. - Science fiction is a genre of fiction that involves...

Pupil outcome: I can explore Addie’s character traits in ‘A Kind of Spark’ and identify character lows and highs within the structure of the story. Key learning points: - Addie is the protagonist in 'A Kind of Spark'; she is autistic,...

Pupil outcome: I can understand and describe the character of Alina. Key learning points: - The protagonist is a main character or central figure in a story or narrative. - Alina is the protagonist in 'The Moon Dragons'. - Character...

Pupil outcome: I can make predictions about the character of Sherlock Holmes using clues. Key learning points: - Using clues to predict is a key skill in helping us understand more about a character - Predicting could mean using images...

Pupil outcome: I can effectively use contrast and juxtaposition when crafting characters. Key learning points: - Juxtaposition is a useful tool when describing contrasting characters. - Contrasting characters can deepen our understanding...

Pupil outcome: I can understand the plot and context of ‘Othello’. Key learning points: - Iago is angry that he has been passed over for promotion, so pretends to love Othello whist plotting his downfall - Iago tells Desdemona's father...

Pupil outcome: I can explain how Dr. Lanyon acts as a foil to Henry Jekyll. Key learning points: - In literature, a foil is a contrasting character who highlights another’s qualities or flaws. - Lanyon acts as a foil to Jekyll in the...

Pupil outcome: I can explain how Ralph changes throughout the novel and what he represents. Key learning points: - As elected leader, Ralph represents an early desire for law, order and civility. - Golding uses colour symbolism to...

In this video, we talk about the process of generating a story for manga or comics, discuss the importance of having a central idea or theme and building the story around it. It also explains how to develop characters, create plot twists...

In this video, we will dive into creating the details and characters for a novel and talk about the importance of developing well-rounded characters that readers can relate to. We will create lists of ghost stories based on folklore in...

After leaving Dublin at age 22, James Joyce's life became a continuous journey of physical and intellectual exploration, which is reflected in his masterwork "Ulysses," inspired by Homer's Odyssey. The novel, which Joyce spent seven...