This page has a collection of short essays on storytelling and grammar, with the occasional drawing. You can use the category tags to find posts on specific subjects, or you can browse through the main library. If you want a monthly roundup of new content, you can register for updates using the signup at the bottom of the page.

Sentence composition

A dog and man swap heads. Only one of them appears to have given the arrangement some thought.

Predicate Swapping: Let’s Get Weird

Ever wonder how Dylan Thomas got away with using an adjective in "Don't Go Gentle into That Good Night"? Of course, we've all lost sleep worry about the missing adverb, and this article explains how the substitution works.

Paul Carlucci

7 min read

A woman hugs the bear that may have killed her partner.

Stressing Out: Using It-Clefts for Argumentative Emphasis

Cleft sentences are one of English's awesome emphasis-providing tools, but they're vast and hard to understand. In this post, we focus on it-clefts used for a few narrow reasons, which will help you get an introductory grip on the topic.

Paul Carlucci

6 min read

A man spikes a comma out of a compound predicate.

Spike That Comma: When to Mess with a Compound Predicate

Commas are such great fun. Using them properly, sticking them where they don’t belong, leaving them out entirely—you can bring a lot of voice to your prose when you get crafty with commas, and not just in fiction or other forms of creative writing.

Paul Carlucci

5 min read

Two faceless scientists demonstrate the validity of the passive voice.

Part 3. In Praise of the Passive Voice: Effacing the Subject to Showcase the Object

The passive voice is frequently misunderstood, particularly in academic writing and by academic advisors, but it has its place. The final entry of this three-part post series teaches you when to use it.

Paul Carlucci

5 min read

Part 2. In Praise of the Passive Voice: Effacing the Subject to Showcase the Object

The passive voice is frequently misunderstood, particularly in academic writing and by academic advisors, but it has its place. Part 2 of a three-part post series teaches you exactly what it is.

Paul Carlucci

3 min read

Part 1. In Praise of the Passive Voice: Effacing the Subject to Showcase the Object

The passive voice is frequently misunderstood, particularly in academic writing and by academic advisors, but it has its place. Part 1 of a three-part post series teaches you exactly what it is.

Paul Carlucci

4 min read

How This Style Works: Peter's Troubled Interiors in Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

In Intermezzo, Sally Rooney uses various types of sentence fragments to create Peter's troubled thoughts.

Paul Carlucci

3 min read

A blog exploring the absolute phrases in the novel Lesser Ruins by Mark Haber

How This Style Works: Lesser Ruins by Mark Haber

In Lesser Ruins, Mark Haber's expansive style really sells the story. One tool he uses is the absolute phrase.

Paul Carlucci

3 min read