English Composition

Edgar Allan Poe’s essay, "The Philosophy of Composition", sets forth a theory on good writing. It first appeared in the April 1846 issue of Graham's Magazine, and Poe illustrates his theory on the composition of his poem, "The Raven". The three main elements of his philosophy of composition are length, logical method, and "unity of effect". Poe believed that literary works should be short, claimed that writing is methodical, not spontaneous, and asserted that a work of fiction ought to be written only after the author has decided on the conclusion.

Twenty literary luminaries, ranging from Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare to Louisa May Alcott and Mark Twain, are profiled in this entertaining and informative collection. Winner of A School Library Journal's Book of the Year Award, Lives of the Writers is both an indispensable reference tool and an exhilarating gossipfest. Author Kathleen Krull makes learning fun, painting realistic portraits of Hans Christian Andersen, Edgar Allan Poe, Frances Hodgson Burnett, the Brontë sisters, Emily Dickinson, E.B. White, Jack London, Murasaki Shikibu, Miguel de Cervantes, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jane Austen, and more. Krull serves up an outstanding introduction to the classics of literature for the whole family, while telling us all the real stories behind their writers.

Photography is one of the most fulfilling, creative, lucrative, and challenging art forms. While cameras come in all shapes, sizes, costs, and capacities, digital cameras have the potential to make any novice photographer seem like an expert with a couple of adjustments. While photography is art, there are still scientific rules that apply to its expression. While the artistic side of photography can be achieved by the photographer's creativity, passion, and personal expression, the technical side has to be learned.

If you want to learn how to write poetry and you are a teenager, then get How to Write Poetry for Teenagers written by a poetry teacher who has experience teaching poetry to kids. Those who want to learn how to write poetry should consult this how-to guide. Without any previous knowledge, experience, or training, any teen can write poetry.

Unleash your students’ imagination with this one-of-a-kind Writing Prompts guidebook. This book is not a simple laundry list of famous quotes. Rather, it is an engaging guidebook made up of quotations which include age-appropriate writing prompts designed to inspire and challenge young minds. The prompts are geared to multiple age groups.

Celebrate the defining moments of a great American painter’s journey to creating his own voice in this stunning portrait of Andrew Wyeth. Andrew Wyeth is one of the greatest American painters of the twentieth century. Before he found his creative voice, he was a boy growing up in an artistic...

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel combine the virtuosity and poetry of a world-class pianist with entertaining commentary to create a magical concert experience. His lively, engaging insights and captivating performances make listening an enthralling experience for all music lovers...

What do you do if you don’t like writing? First, try to find out why you don’t like writing. This can help you find ways to enjoy writing. If your hand hurts when you write, there are many ways to write without hurting your hand.

Creativity is a gift shared by all, yet most of us have been led to believe that if we are not starving artists, musicians, or writers, then creative thinking is not something we are capable of. This just isn't true and to prove it I've brought together some of the best methods to trigger and retain that creative spark within.

Hyperbole (HIGH-purr-buh-lee) are groups of words that exaggerate to make a point. If you say I have a ton of work, you don’t really have 2,000 pounds of work. You overstate to make the point that you have lots of work to do. See if you can guess the meaning of these hyperbole before you listen for possible answers. There can be many other possible answers for them that are not stated.

When cousins Dennis and Mellie decide to get a dog, they consider carefully what breed would be best for each family. For example, Dennis wants a big dog, but Mellie wants tiny. He has no other pets, but she has other pets that a dog must get along with. They consider different dog personalities, family situations, and personal preferences. Dennis writes an opinion essay for his teacher, Mrs. Shirky. But will his essay convince his parents to get the dog of his dreams?

When cousins Mellie and Dennis decide to get a cat, they consider carefully what breed would be best for each family. For example, Mellie wants a cat that pounces, but Dennis wants a lazy cat, like his lazy dog, Clark Kent. Mellie wants a lap cat, but Dennis just wants a warm body beside him. They consider different cat personalities, family situations, and personal preferences.