By: Phillip Mattie It’s English 30. You are struggling to break down a character, wondering what motivates him or her. You are completely stumped as to how to view and interpret a character’s personality and the decisions they make. Don’t fret! In short fiction (and in drama), character analysis is an excellent way to break … Continue reading “Short Fiction Tips: Character Archetypes”

By: Phillip Mattie Today, we are used to seeing Comic Book Movies, where super heroes parade across the screen in a spectacular display of special effects that dazzle the eye, render the imagination awed. In fact, with every passing year, I wonder how these effects could get any better. Somehow, amazingly, they do. But it … Continue reading “Film as a Dramatic Medium”

By: Phillip Mattie A lot of students are unfamiliar with what exactly “Drama,” with a capital D, is. Most times, people think immediately of plays—and they’re not wrong. But that’s only half the answer. Drama is anything that has a script, which means that your favourite TV shows and movies are all considered Drama. Now, … Continue reading “How to Read Drama like a Pro”

By: Phillip Mattie The summer is here, with all its blue skies, sunshine, beaches, and, most importantly, free time. Myself, I plan to go on a trip to somewhere a mite sunnier and hotter than Calgary, and hopefully you will, too. However, a very long (and glorious) two months stretch of free-time is winding its … Continue reading “Summer Reading: The Things You Know You Should Do But Don’t”

A very few of you are going to a very loathed and reviled place for one month where two words are uttered always in utter chagrin: Summer school.

Shakespeare is universally loathed by high school students as much as he is universally revered by scholars, poets, and writers.. Check out this comprehensive guide to reading Shakespeare like a pro.