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How Helpful Are Character Sketches (And What Did Elizabeth Peters Do?)
Well, hello! If you’re new to Vocabbett, I help students painlessly improve their vocabulary through stories; as such, I tend to do a...
Sep 16, 20201 min read


Are You a Plotter or a Pantser?
Not every author uses an outline. In general, there are two camps in the writing community: Plotters and pantsers...
Sep 14, 20201 min read


How a Bestseller Gets Ideas (With Inspiration From Elizabeth Peters)
Have you ever loved a book so much that when you finished it, you just sat in stunned silence for a moment? How did the author get these...
Sep 7, 20203 min read


Writing Lessons Learned From 'Ahead of Her Time'
Aspiring writers are often told to “write what you know.” It’s valuable advice, no doubt, lending verisimilitude to an otherwise...
Sep 2, 20201 min read


And the TV Character With the Biggest (And Funniest!) Vocabulary Is...
Isn’t it a shame that shows only seem to become cult classics once they’re over? That’s what seems to be happening with Schitt’s Creek, a...
Aug 24, 20201 min read


'Brave New World' TV Series Review
Lately, I’ve been bombarded with ads for shows on NBC’s new streaming service, Peacock TV. And among their new shows, it seems, is Brave...
Aug 23, 20201 min read


Is *This* Sneakily Sabotaging Your Grammar? (P2!)
Let’s be honest: music is no good for reinforcing proper grammar habits, even if we all love it. However, I think for most songs, we kind...
Aug 19, 20201 min read


A Word That Makes Everything Better
If you’re like most people, you’ve got goals or dreams—you’re looking for something to make your life even better. I can’t promise that...
Aug 12, 20201 min read


Fear and Fascination: Secrets of the Italian Bus System
A perplexed looks steals across my face as I re-read my host sister’s enigmatic text message. “You go towards down,” she writes.
Aug 10, 20203 min read


Of Karens and Quislings: How Names Became Insults
Discover the fascinating linguistic history of names turned insults, such as "Karen" and "Quisling." Explore the intriguing story behind the
Aug 3, 20202 min read


Mispronouncing This SAT Word Could Get You Killed
Never thought you'd read that title, eh? No, The College Board has not implemented some kind of Hunger Games -style exit questionnaire,...
Jul 29, 20201 min read


Money, Geese, and Warnings: Linguistic Connections You Won't Believe!
Would you believe me if I told you that the word “money,” something so valued and coveted, actually traces its roots back to a flock of...
Jul 22, 20201 min read


Can Words Speak?
There are two sides to the coin when it comes to using stories to improve your vocabulary. If you’re a seasoned Vocabbett listener,...
Jul 20, 20201 min read


5 TV Shows That Won’t Turn Your Brain to Mush
We’re all watching more TV than normal these days, but if you want to keep your edge and come out of quarantine smarter than ever, it’s...
Jul 15, 20202 min read


How to Emerge From Quarantine Smarter Than Ever
With more schools announcing virtual-only learning for the fall, parents, students, and teachers alike are wondering what the long-term...
Jul 13, 20201 min read


Fall 2020: A Third Option?
Well, hello! After a week off for the 4th of July, I returned to find that my local school district announced some big changes for the...
Jul 6, 20202 min read


'Manly' Words and Double Meanings
“Wow, that’s really manly of you, to be such a good person!” – Ancient Romans As we continue our study of etymology, it may amuse (annoy?...
Jun 27, 20201 min read


Trapped in a Pyramid: A Vocabulary-Boosting Short Story
“Bat shi*t,” repeated Salima Ikram, the queen of Egyptology, in her posh British accent to her hyperventilating students.
Jun 24, 20203 min read


We Need to Talk About Summer Reading
There’s an old quote that the world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page. I quite agree, but I have my own little...
Jun 22, 20201 min read


Andreas: The Man in the Walls (A True Story?)
I wanted to be in her bed, but I ended up in her walls instead. 6-foot thick monstrosities built to withstand the most fortified...
Jun 10, 20205 min read