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Ashley Robinson

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

Recent Posts

Kinesiology Degree: Is It Right for You?

If you’ve never heard of it before, the word “kinesiology” can sound like another language. Kinesiology is simply the study of something we all encounter every day: movement. It’s also a college major that can lead to a successful career after you graduate.

There’s a lot to know about majoring in kinesiology, though. Sure, you now know what it is, but do you know the kind of pay you can expect from kinesiology jobs? Or about how long a kinesiology degree takes? It can be a little overwhelming, so we’re here to walk you through:

  • What kinesiology is
  • What being a kinesiology major is like
  • Which schools have the best kinesiology programs
  • The types of jobs you can get with a kinesiology degree

So, what is kinesiology, exactly?

 

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The 12 Best Accounting Schools in the United States

If you’re looking into majoring in a business-related field, you might find yourself looking into accounting programs. And accounting is a great choice: not only are accounting degrees in demand, but accounting is a field that tends to remain stable even during economic recessions. After all, businesses still need to make sure they’re running payroll, auditing their finances, and paying their taxes on time. 

If you’re thinking about majoring in accounting, there are a lot of benefits to attending one of the top accounting programs in the nation. Not only will you get a top-rate education, you’ll also have access to top-level faculty, networking events, and internships (among other perks). 

In this article, we’ll give you the inside scoop on the 12 best accounting colleges in the United States. We’ll also share our top tips for getting into competitive accounting programs. 

 

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The Best HiSET Practice Tests to Help You Ace Your Exam

If you’re reading this, you probably already know what the HiSET is and have decided that taking the HiSET Exam is the correct decision for you. That’s a great first step on the journey to earning your high school equivalency!

As you’re probably aware, the HiSET Exam is not cheap (it can potentially cost as much as $125 after administrative or testing center fees), so you likely will not want to take it multiple times. It’s definitely better to prepare beforehand so you’ll only need to pay that fee once.

That’s why we’re going to cover the following in this article to give you a full overview of the HiSET practice tests:

  • What the HiSET Exam is
  • Why you should take a practice test
  • How this article can help you prepare for the HiSET practice test
  • A list of available HiSET practice tests
  • How to get the most out of the HiSET practice test

We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get moving!

 

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18 Critical To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes, Explained

Not only is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird one of the most widely taught books in American high schools, but it's also one of the most popular books in general. In fact, it was just recently voted "America’s favorite novel"! Its popularity has endured for decades, and it’s still taught in schools across the United States today.

That’s why we’re explaining the top 18 To Kill a Mockingbird quotes for you. In addition to becoming familiar with the stand-out moments of the novel, by the end of this article you’ll have a deeper understanding of the book’s themes, characters, and most important elements.

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What Is the HiSET? Expert Guide to the High School Equivalency Test

Finishing high school the "traditional" way isn't the right path for everyone. That's why there are exams you can take to earn what's known as a high school equivalency (HSE) credential in the U.S. The HiSET Exam is a test that allows you to earn an HSE credential if you discontinued your high school education but want the equivalent of a high school diploma.

The HiSET isn't the only high school equivalency exam option. (You've probably heard quite a bit about another HSE test, the GED.) We're betting you have a lot of questions about how the HiSET works, what taking the exam will be like, and what you can do with the HiSET once you take the exam.

That's why we're going to cover the following in this article to give you a full overview of the HiSET Exam:

  • What the HiSET Exam is
  • Who can take the HiSET Exam
  • The four most important details to know before you register for the HiSET, including how much the exam costs
  • What to expect when you take the exam, including the length of the exam, exam format, and its contents
  • Four key differences between the HiSET Exam and the GED
  • Four resources to help you learn more about and prep for the HiSET Exam

We've got a lot to cover, so let's get moving!


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Full Expert Analysis: "Do not go gentle into that good night" by Dylan Thomas

Learning to read and understand poetry is tricky business. Between the tough terminology—what is synecdoche, anyway?!—and complicated structure, it can sometimes feel impossible to understand what a poet is trying to say. Unfortunately, if you're going to take the AP Literature exam, you're going to have to figure out how to quickly read and understand poetry.

One of the best ways to get a handle on poetry is to read a poem along with a detailed explanation of both what the poem means and how the poet conveys that meaning.

To do this, we're going to take a look at Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle into that good night," one of the most famous poems of the 20th century. Not only will you have a handle on the poem's overall message, but you'll also understand the most important techniques Dylan Thomas uses to convey that meaning to the reader.

We promise: by the end of this article, poetry will seem a lot less scary. So let's get started!

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What Is a Republic vs a Democracy?  Understanding the Difference

If you look closely at the United States Pledge of Allegiance, you'll see that it calls the United States a republic. It reads: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." So what does that mean, exactly? Can the United States be both a democracy and a republic? And what is the difference between a democracy and republic, anyway?

As it turns out, there are subtle, but important, differences between a democracy and a republic, and that the definitions aren't mutually exclusive. In other words, it's complicated. But don't worry! Knowing the differences between a republic vs a democracy is important for tons of AP exams, including both history tests (U.S. and world) and both government and politics tests (U.S. and comparative). That's why we've put this guide together for you.

By the end of this article, you'll know the definitions of a democracy and a republic, how they operate, the differences between them, and where the United States fits into the discussion.

So let's get started!

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What Is a Preposition? Definition, Meaning, and Examples

Prepositions are one of the eight parts of speech in the English language, and they’re pretty important. Prepositions allow us to create complex sentences and add in important details. They play a crucial role in helping sentences make sense, which is super important when you need to communicate clearly and effectively.

But if you have to sit down and give an accurate preposition definition, things can get a little tricky. You may know that prepositions are usually short words like at, for, in, on, or under, but what is a preposition as a part of speech? What do prepositions do, and how the heck do you identify a preposition in a sentence?

To help you become an expert on prepositions, we’re going to talk about the following in this article:

  • Answer the questions “What is a preposition?” and “What does preposition mean?”
  • Explain each type of preposition definition with examples of each type used in a sentence
  • Provide a list of four top tips for identifying prepositions in sentences

If there’s a specific type of preposition you want to know more about—like prepositions of space—you can find the information quickly by holding Command + F on your keyboard, then typing in the term you’re looking for.

Now without further ado, let’s get started!

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Understanding the 8 Parts of Speech: Definitions and Examples

If you’re trying to learn the grammatical rules of English, you’ve probably been asked to learn the parts of speech. But what are parts of speech and how many are there? How do you know which words are classified in each part of speech?

The answers to these questions can be a bit complicated—English is a difficult language to learn and understand. Don’t fret, though! We’re going to answer each of these questions for you with a full guide to the parts of speech that explains the following:

  • What the parts of speech are, including a comprehensive parts of speech list
  • Parts of speech definitions for the individual parts of speech. (If you’re looking for information on a specific part of speech, you can search for it by pressing Command + F, then typing in the part of speech you’re interested in.) 
  • Parts of speech examples
  • A ten question quiz covering parts of speech definitions and parts of speech examples

We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s begin!

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What Part of Speech Is the Word 'The'?

When you start breaking it down, the English language is pretty complicated—especially if you're trying to learn it from scratch! One of the most important English words to understand is the.

But what part of speech is the word the, and when should it be used in a sentence? Is the word the a preposition? Is the a pronoun? Or is the word the considered a different part of speech?

To help you learn exactly how the word the works in the English language, we're going to do the following in this article:

  • Answer the question, "What part of speech is the?"
  • Explain how to use the correctly in sentences, with examples
  • Provide a full list of other words that are classified as the same part of speech as the in the English language

Okay, let's get started learning about the word the!

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The 9 Best Sight Word Games for Kids and Adults

Anyone (of any age!) who’s interested in increasing their English vocabulary or literacy skills needs to be familiar with sight words—what they are, how they work in the English language, and which words are considered sight words!

One effective way to master sight words is by playing games. Science shows that high-quality educational games can be effective tools to help you learn new concepts and skills. And hey—who doesn’t want to have fun while learning?

To help you choose sight word games that are proven to be effective at increasing vocabulary and enhancing literacy skills, we’ve compiled a full guide to sight word games and activities for you. Included in this article are:

  • A definition of what sight words are and why they’re important
  • Three do-it-yourself sight word games
  • Three physical sight word games
  • Three digital sight word games and sight word apps

So by the end of this post, you’ll have nine sight word games and activities that can help you improve both your vocabulary and reading skills!

 

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The Best Controversial Topics for Debates and Essays

Controversial topics are a good choice for an essay or debate because they immediately draw in the reader or listener. The adage that “controversy sells” is so rooted in society that even the rapper Chamillionaire named his second album after it! Controversial issues are also a good topic because it’s easier to write a strong thesis and find sources to back up your argument. After all, when something is controversial, everybody wants to have their say over it.

However, it’s also important that you address controversial issues with sensitivity and care. Because controversial topics tend to raise emotions, you must walk a thin line between opinion and fact in order to build trust between you and your reader/listener.

In this article, we’re going to give you the best controversial topics you can use for essays and debates—and we’ll explain the controversies for you, too! We’ll also discuss when to use controversial topics, the pros and cons of choosing a controversial issue, and tips for making sure you’re treating a controversial topic with sensitivity and respect.

That’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!


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Complex Sentences: A Crash Course With Examples

What makes someone a “good” writer? While there are lots of answers to that question, one thing most great writers do is vary their sentence structure. They mix long, flowing sentences with short, powerful ones to communicate their points. 

But don’t worry: you can learn to do this, too! It starts with understanding different types of sentences and their structures. One type of sentence you’ve probably heard of that can add variety and depth to your writing is a complex sentence. But what are complex sentences, exactly? 

We’re here to help you understand exactly what complex sentences are and why they’re important by covering the following in this article: 

  • Answering the question, “What is a complex sentence?”
  • Discussing when to use complex sentences
  • Reviewing the different parts of complex sentences 
  • Explaining the difference between complex sentences, compound sentences, and compound-complex sentences 

Ready to become a complex sentence wizard? Then let's get started!



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What Is ROTC? Understanding the 3 ROTC Programs

JROTC and ROTC programs designed to train future U.S. Military officers at middle schools, high schools, and universities across the United States. Some students join JROTC or ROTC because they want a career in the military, while others are more curious about how the program can help them pay for college.

It turns out that there’s a lot to learn about the benefits and requirements of ROTC programs! That’s why we’ve put together a complete guide to JROTC and ROTC.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a great understanding of JROTC and ROTC programs and whether they’re a good option for you. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions, like:

  • What is ROTC?
  • How are JROTC and ROTC different?
  • Who is a good fit for JROTC and ROTC?
  • Are there different types of JROTC and ROTC programs?
  • What are the pros and cons of joining JROTC and ROTC?

Now let’s get started!

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How to Find the Best Online College Courses for You

In the digital age, people are always searching for new ways to use online resources to their advantage. One increasingly popular resource is online education. Now you can take college classes online, which can help you save time and money.

But in the grand scheme of educational opportunities, online college classes are still relatively new, so you might not know what they are or how they work. In this article, we’re going to dig into the important info about online college courses to help you navigate the various opportunities for online education that are out there. We’ll talk about:

  • What online college courses are
  • What online courses are like for students, how they work, and how they compare to in-person college courses
  • The pros and cons of taking online courses, and
  • 4 free online college courses you can take right now

By the end of the article, you’ll know everything you need to know about taking college classes online, so let’s get started!


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