Advice from the Editors

Recent Posts

grammar usage word choice writing tips

Pointing Out Reasons with As, Since, For, and Because

by Michael Simon

Learn how to use the conjunctions as, since, for, and because Read More

social media spelling word choice writing tips

The Rhyme without the Reason: What’s Wrong with Sneak Peak

by Zahra Brown

Understand the origins of peak, peek, and pique Read More

word choice writing tips

Distinguishing Tropes, Figures, Themes, and Motifs

by Michael Simon

Learn how to use the terms trope, figure, theme, and motif. Read More

alphabetization films MLA style movies works-cited list

Celebrating the Oscars—the MLA Way

by Susan Doose

Learn how to cite the ten films of 2022 nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture Read More

names usage writing tips

Descriptions Used as Titles of Persons

by Joseph Wallace

Writers sometimes use short descriptive phrases in place of formal titles before people's names. Read More

dictionaries usage word choice writing tips

Understanding Back-Formations: Established Expressions or Curious Coinages?

by Erika Suffern

A post describing what back-formations are Read More

grammar usage word choice writing tips

Parts of the Whole: Using Comprise and Compose

by Michael Simon

Learn how to use the verbs comprise and compose. Read More

grammar writing tips

How Do I Know If I’ve Used Due to Correctly?

by Barney Latimer

"Due to," meaning “attributable to,” modifies noun phrases, not verb clauses. Read More

grammar spelling usage word choice writing tips

To Affect or Effect—to What Effect?

by Zahra Brown

Learn how to use effect as a verb and affect as a noun Read More

capitalization writing tips

Sports Terms in MLA Style

by Joseph Wallace

This post provides examples of sports term in MLA style. Read More