Recent Posts
The Limits of Fidelity: What to Reproduce (and What Not to Reproduce) in a Quotation
An MLA editor gives examples of typography that should and should not be reproduced in a quotation Read More
Pointing Out Reasons with As, Since, For, and Because
Learn how to use the conjunctions as, since, for, and because Read More
The Rhyme without the Reason: What’s Wrong with Sneak Peak
Understand the origins of peak, peek, and pique Read More
Distinguishing Tropes, Figures, Themes, and Motifs
Learn how to use the terms trope, figure, theme, and motif. Read More
Celebrating the Oscars—the MLA Way
Learn how to cite the ten films of 2022 nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture Read More
Descriptions Used as Titles of Persons
Writers sometimes use short descriptive phrases in place of formal titles before people's names. Read More
Understanding Back-Formations: Established Expressions or Curious Coinages?
A post describing what back-formations are Read More
Parts of the Whole: Using Comprise and Compose
Learn how to use the verbs comprise and compose. Read More
How Do I Know If I’ve Used Due to Correctly?
"Due to," meaning “attributable to,” modifies noun phrases, not verb clauses. Read More
To Affect or Effect—to What Effect?
Learn how to use effect as a verb and affect as a noun Read More