SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

The 31 Literary Devices You Must Know

Need to analyze The Scarlet Letter or To Kill a Mockingbird for English class, but fumbling for the right vocabulary and concepts for literary devices? You've come to the right place. To successfully interpret and analyze literary texts, you'll first need to have a solid foundation in literary terms and their definitions.

In this article, we'll help you get familiar with most commonly used literary devices in prose and poetry. We'll give you a clear definition of each of the terms we discuss along with examples of literary elements and the context in which they most often appear (comedic writing, drama, or other).

Before we get to the list of literary devices, however, we have a quick refresher on what literary devices are and how understanding them will help you analyze works of literature.

Read More

 

105 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics for Any Project

Are you struggling to find good persuasive speech topics? It can be hard to find a topic that interests both you and your audience, but in this guide we've done the hard work and created a list of 105 great persuasive speech ideas. They're organized into ten categories and cover a variety of topics, so you're sure to find one that interests you.

In addition to our list, we also go over which factors make good persuasive speech topics and three tips you should follow when researching and writing your persuasive speech.

Read More

 

The Easy Guide to the 30-60-90 Triangle

Acute, obtuse, isosceles, equilateral…When it comes to triangles, there are many different varieties, but only a choice few that are "special." These special triangles have sides and angles which are consistent and predictable and can be used to shortcut your way through your geometry or trigonometry problems. And a 30-60-90 triangle—pronounced "thirty sixty ninety"—happens to be a very special type of triangle indeed.

In this guide, we'll walk you through what a 30-60-90 triangle is, why it works, and when (and how) to use your knowledge of it. So let's get to it!

Read More

 

Connotation and Denotation: What's the Difference?

Confused about the difference between connotation and denotation? Not sure how it’s possible for one word to have many connotations? Connotation and denotation both refer to word meanings, but they’re very different concepts. Read this guide to learn the denotation definition, connotation definition, how you can remember which is which, and what connotation and denotation examples look like.

Read More

 

What Is a Prepositional Phrase? 20 Easy Examples

In grammar, a "prepositional phrase" refers to a preposition, its object, and any modifiers. Here in this article, we’ll answer the basic questions people most often have about prepositional phrases, such as "What is a prepositional phrase?" and "How do I use a prepositional phrase?" We will also provide plenty of prepositional phrase examples for you to practice with.

Read More

 

Pisces Compatibility: Find Your Best Match

If there's one sign of the zodiac that has big feelings, it's Pisces. With enough empathy for everyone, Pisces can make a steadfast friend and partner.

But what character traits does this bleeding heart look for when it comes to love and relationships? Our full guide to Pisces compatibility will answer your questions about what makes a best match for Pisces and more, including the following:

  • The core traits of the Pisces star sign
  • The character traits that make a Pisces' best match and worst match
  • A ranking of Pisces compatible signs from least to most compatible
  • Three main takeaways for a Pisces in relationships.

Ready to learn more about this water sign? Then let's get started.

Read More

 

105 Creative Writing Prompts to Try Out

The most common advice out there for being a writer is, "if you want to write, write." While this is true (and good advice), it's not always that easy, particularly if you're not writing regularly.

Whether you're looking for help getting started on your next project, or just want to spend 20 minutes being creative, writing prompts are great ways to rev up your imagination. Read on for our list of over 100 creative writing prompts!

Read More

 

What Is a Hypothesis and How Do I Write One?

Think about something strange and unexplainable in your life. Maybe you get a headache right before it rains, or maybe you think your favorite sports team wins when you wear a certain color. If you wanted to see whether these are just coincidences or scientific fact, you would form a hypothesis, then create an experiment to see whether that hypothesis is true or not.

But what is a hypothesis, anyway? If you’re not sure about what a hypothesis is--or how to test for one!--you’re in the right place. This article will teach you everything you need to know about hypotheses, including: 

  • Defining the term “hypothesis” 
  • Providing hypothesis examples 
  • Giving you tips for how to write your own hypothesis

So let’s get started!

 

Read More

 

The 5 Best TEAS Practice Tests (Free and Paid)

Are you getting ready to apply to nursing school? Then you’ll probably want to take a TEAS practice test to make sure you’ll get the best score possible on your TEAS exam.

This article contains a comprehensive list of free TEAS practice tests. Let’s dig in!

 

Read More

 

200+ Other Words For Said: Synonyms to Spice up Your Writing

One of the words that comes up most commonly in various types of writing, from fiction to academic writing, is the word “said.” Any time a writer is referencing the words or thoughts expressed by another person, whether that be thoughts expressed verbally or in writing, an appropriate way to introduce--or attribute--that person’s thoughts is with the phrase “said.” 

But if you’re incorporating a lot of quotations in your writing, you might find yourself repeating  the word “said” a lot. Repeating the same phrase in a piece of writing can start to feel monotonous, which is why incorporating synonyms or an oft-used word or phrase can make your writing more interesting and accurate. But here’s some good news: there are tons of other words for “said” out there for you to use! 

To help you build a repertoire of words to replace “said,” we’re going to do the following in this article: 

  • Explain the importance of using word variety and avoiding repetition of the same word in your writing
  • Explain when to use “said” and when not to use “said” 
  • Provide a comprehensive list of alternative words for “said,” organized into categories based on emotion and intention

Ready to check out some synonyms for “said”? Then let’s get going!


Read More

 

How to Use SOHCAHTOA: Tips and Examples

Whether you're brushing up on your trigonometry for the SAT or ACT or learning how to calculate angles for the first time, SOHCAHTOA is a useful mnemonic device to know. In this article, we'll explain what SOHCAHTOA is, how to use SOHCAHTOA, and give SOH CAH TOA examples.

Read More

 

How to Find Standard Deviation: Simple 6-Step Formula

Standard deviation is a way to calculate how spread out data is. You can use the standard deviation formula to find the average of the averages of multiple sets of data.

Confused by what that means? How do you calculate standard deviation? Don't worry! In this article, we'll break down exactly what standard deviation is and how to find standard deviation.

 

Read More

 

How and When to Use a Semicolon

Do you know when to use a semicolon? Do you know how to use a semicolon? If not, don't worry! In this article, we break down exactly what semicolons are and how to use this unique (but often frustrating!) punctuation mark. We also go over what semicolon examples look like and give you tips for when to use and not use them.

Read More

 

Vygotsky Scaffolding: What It Is and How to Use It

If you're an educator or have a student in school, you may have heard of the concept Vygotsky scaffolding. It may sound like a construction term, but Vygotsky scaffolding and the related concept of the zone of proximal development are teaching methods that can help students learn much more information much more quickly than they would with traditional instruction.

However, Vygotsky scaffolding is only effective if you know how to properly implement it; otherwise it can actually hinder a student's learning. Read this guide to learn what scaffolding and the zone of proximal development are, what the scaffolding psychology is, if studies have found these teaching methods to be effective, and how you can use these methods in the classroom to promote learning.

Read More

 

The 10 Scorpio Personality Traits to Know

Often mistaken for a fire sign because of their fierce independence, Scorpios are actually a deeply emotional and sensitive water sign. While they can be intimidating, Scorpios are also the most loyal friends and partners you could ever ask for, and as one of the most ambitious signs, they're amazing at creating connections and being their authentic selves.

Read More

 

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!