Tutor profile: Liz H.

How can I make my word choices more effective?

Word choices can help make a good paper extraordinary. The adjectives you use should be varied, because if too many words repeat within a short period of time the reader could get bored. Your words should also be specific. Try avoiding words like "bad" but instead use "evil," "conniving," or "mischievous". In addition, try not to just plug in a word because it's long, make sure that you truly understand its meaning and how it fits within a sentence. Reading sentences out loud can help make sure that they are understandable and professional. Using a thesaurus can also help you find creative synonyms which can bring your essay to the next level. Overall, focus on using specific words that will keep the reader's attention while clearly communicating your ideas.

What is iambic pentameter and why does Shakespeare use it?

Iambic pentameter is a type of metric used in poetry and plays. Each line consists of ten syllables divided into five "feet". Each foot is made up of one unstressed and one stressed syllable. For example, the line "If music be the food of love play on," is written in iambic pentameter. The meter mimics a heartbeat and so sounds similar to "da-DA, da-DA, da-DA, da-DA, da-DA." Shakespeare used this meter because it sounds like our natural, everyday speech. Most of us speak in iambic pentameter all the time without even realizing it. In using this meter, Shakespeare creates naturalistic speech and a pleasing rhythm.

How does the style of narration affect the story?

The author uses focalization throughout the story, which effectively enables the reader to better sympathize with each character. For example, the author writes Chapter One from Character A's perspective, while telling Chapter Two from Character B's perspective. As a result, the reader is able to understand the thoughts, emotions, and motivations of each character. If the author had not used this technique, the reader might feel distant from the characters, especially since this narrative focuses on an ensemble rather than a single protagonist. Distance between the characters and reader can result in the reader disengaging from the narrative, therefore creating a less effective reading experience. While the use of focalization can be confusing or disorienting at times, given that the reader is expected to mentally switch perspectives every chapter, this particular strategy enables the reader to more fully understand each character, creating an engaging narrative.