Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?

It’s that time of year again. The days grow longer and the sunshine is determined to scorch. The parks fill up with children while picnics spread out in red and white gingham patches. The dog begs to go outside as we put away our heavy coats, hanging them neatly in closets. Long pants give way to shorts as coconut-scented oils fill the air with their perfume. It’s summer.

What phrases and books best evoke those fiery months? If someone bottled the essence of this golden growing season, what would it look like? It’s difficult to choose the best summer words, but let’s look at a few of our current contenders. Some are old, some are new, and some might surprise you.

Shakespeare: It’s impossible for me to think of summer without the Bard showing up. Sonnet 18, in addition to being the perfect love poem, encapsulates the summer months with unequaled, poetic grace. “Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, / And often is his gold complexion dimm’d; / And every fair from fair sometime declines.” Could there be a better description of the summer sun as it pales in comparison to the author’s love? Shakespeare’s poetic brilliance reminds the reader to appreciate each golden day. “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” Summer won’t last, so enjoy it now.

Dandelion Wine: Arguably Ray Bradbury’s most famous book, Dandelion Wine reflects the beauty of summer like a calm blue lake reflects the sky. With star-bright passages that shimmer off the page, it is impossible to read the novel without traveling back to the best summers of our youth. Bradbury’s masterpiece is crafted of short vignettes, all centered on the Spaulding family and their summer rituals. Do yourself a favor and make it your own yearly ritual. Read it during those first June days, or in July, and you’ll be well equipped for the months to follow. “Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don’t they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.”

Nora Roberts: Roberts’ volumes fly off the bookstore shelves and seem to fit the profile of perfect summer reading material. The engaging plots, interesting characters, and heavy romance can quickly tick away the hot hours of July. And Roberts is no stranger to writing about summer. She whipped this one up, and it’s spot on: “There was nothing like a Saturday – unless it was the Saturday leading up to the last week of school and into summer vacation. That of course was all the Saturdays of your life rolled into one big shiny ball.”

Tuck Everlasting: Summer is a wonderful time to reacquaint yourself with those beautiful books from your childhood. Natalie Babbitt’s tale of immortality and the dangers it poses offers this sparkling gem about summer: “The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color.”

Passages that reference the summer season dot the literary landscape like wildflowers. The warmer months are a time of complex joys and freedoms, mixed in with sweat and hotdogs. Some of the greatest writers have tried to snare that magic onto a page. Henry James captured it most simply: “Summer afternoon – Summer afternoon… the two most beautiful words in the English language.”

Can you think of a better way to sing the praises of summer? Share in the comments.

English Words from Around the World

The vocabulary of modern English owes a lot of its richness to borrowing words from other languages, but it borrows from some languages much more than others. We have only one word of Finnish origin in common use, but it’s a good one. Sauna, a direct import from Finland, pulls double-duty as our word for a relaxing steam bath and as the perfect way to describe gloriously hot, humid summer days. Here are some other great words with international origins:

Orange

Which came first: the color or the fruit? In English, believe it or not, it was the fruit. The word first appeared in English at the end of the fourteenth century, around the time the fruit was making its way into western Europe. Like so many other words, orange entered English by way of French, but the roots of the word stretch back to the Dravidian languages of southern India. It took another 150 years or so after the first introduction of orange for it to become the word for the color, too. Before then, the English-speaking world had to make do with saying yellow-red or red-yellow. Ever wonder why we call someone with orange hair a redhead? If orange had come along earlier, perhaps today we would call them “orangeheads” instead. Well, maybe not . . .

Disaster

Students of Latin or Greek can probably decipher the original meaning of disaster by looking at its roots: dis- (negative, bad, not) and astrum (star). Long ago, it was commonly believed that the position of stars and planets directly affected our daily lives here on earth. So a sudden calamity or misfortune was often blamed on the influence of a “bad star.”

Zombie

We can thank the folklore of Haiti and the West Indies for contributing one of the most terrifying and popular creatures in the modern horror genre: the zombie. But the origins of zombie may not have been so scary. The word can be traced back to West Africa, and possibly derives from a Kongo word meaning “god.”

Ketchup

Ketchup wasn’t always a tomato-based condiment. Once upon a time, mushrooms were the main ingredient. In fact ketchup isn’t always even ketchup. If you live in the southern United States, you may spell it catsup. The etymology is murky, but the word seems to descend from a word meaning “pickled fish brine” in the Amoy dialect of southeast China. The word may have made its way into English after entering Malay as kēchap.

Algebra

The prefix al- offers a clue about the origins of this word. Like alchemy, alcohol, alcove, and almanac, algebra is a descendant of Arabic (al is the definite article in Arabic, like the in English). Algebra is a combination of al- and jabr, meaning “the restoration of broken parts.” Algebra appeared occasionally in Middle English as a medical word, specifically in relation to fractured bones, but this meaning was quickly overtaken by the mathematical one.

What interesting word origin stories do you know? Let us know in the comment section or via our Facebook or Twitter feeds.

According to our Facebook friends, learning grammar in school is important

It seems that people not only care about using grammar, but also about using it correctly. 

(Photo source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/104421575/notebook-dear-people-of-the-world)

On Monday, we ran an informal poll on our Facebook page. After a recent article in the Huffington post discussing an increased demand for grammar study in education, we asked our followers: “Do you think studying grammar in school is important?” The results were unsurprising, but overwhelmingly one-sided. Of the three options (Yes, No, and No opinion), 98.6% of voters said that grammar study was important.

Naturally, we understand that our Facebook community is not a representative sample of the population. Many people who “like” our Facebook page and who saw the poll are interested in English grammar and therefore are more likely to think that studying it is important. What is interesting is how overwhelmingly people seemed to agree that grammar study in school is valuable.

What do you think, should grammar be taught more in schools?

5 Tips On How to Choose Your Blog Name

Guest post by Yohana Petrovic

So, you’ve decided to start your own blog! But before you can start writing and engaging with your readers, there is one hurdle that you have to jump: giving your blog a name. Choosing the best title for your blog is a very tricky thing.

Your blog’s name is its first claim to fame. As a starting blogger, your blog’s name is the make-or-break, the read or no-read, the click or no-click. It needs to be intriguing enough to compel an average browser to visit and start reading your posts.

To help you out, here are five tips on how you can come up with an attention-grabbing, click-begetting, and follower-attracting blog title:

 

1. What is your blog about?

Your blog name has two jobs. The first is to catch the reader’s attention, and the second is to tell your readers what they are in for when they visit your blog. Take note that it is an and situation and not an either/or situation. Your blog name should be able to do both of these jobs. If your blog is about cooking, then your blog title shouldn’t sound like it’s about shopping.

Next steps: Think about what your blog is going to be about. Will it be a travel blog? Are you going to talk about your carpentry projects? Will you be showing your readers different sewing techniques? Will you be cooking a different recipe every day? Will your blog be about your normal daily life? Once you’re clear on what your blog will be about, then you’re halfway to coming up with your blog name.

 

2. Make the Thesaurus your best friend

Wordplay is such a wonderful thing. You can use fancy words to describe simple concepts, or even make up your own words by splitting and condensing two or three words together. Sure, you can use generic and well-known words in your blog name, but it’s either already being done or it’s boring. Besides, where is the fun in naming a blog about solo traveling “The Solo Traveler?”

Next steps: Once you’ve determined what your blog is about, you can start listing all the words associated to it. Grab your Thesaurus (or, you know, Google synonyms) and try playing around with how certain relevant words sound together.

 

3. Decide on the tone of your blog

Tone is important; it is how you will “talk” in your blog. Your tone will determine what kind audience you will attract. This is why it is important to consider your blog’s tone when coming up with your blog name. For example, you would expect a blog entitled “The Fat Kid Inside” to be fun and informal. You wouldn’t expect the same from a blog with the title “Employee Incentives News.”

Next steps:  Consider how you talk. Is that how you’re planning to write on your blog? Consider your target audience. Are they the type who would appreciate a formal tone or an informal tone? Your blog title should reflect your tone to avoid confusion.

 

4. Research other blogs

Whatever blog you are thinking about starting, there is another one (or two or three or one hundred) that has already been published with a similar theme or topic. Embark on blog title market research. Remember, it is always good practice to learn more about what your potential audience finds relatable so you can name your blog accordingly.

Next steps: Check out blogs that are similar to what you want to do. Categorize them as successful or unsuccessful based on readership or followers. Then, compare the titles of the successful blogs versus the unsuccessful blogs. Try to see if there are similar aspects in the groups. Add the successful elements to your blog title and avoid the unsuccessful ones.

 

5. Memorability is a huge factor

Your blog name can be formal, informal, witty, funny, literary, or whatever you want it to be. The bottom line is that it should be memorable. You may have the wittiest, most beautiful blog title but if it is too complicated, or the letters don’t quite look right when placed together in a URL, then you are going to have a problem.

Next steps:  Once you have (semi-) decided on your blog name, write it together in small letters. Try to see if there are undesirable, shady, or unrelated words that would leap up when they are placed in a URL. You might need the help of someone else who is not involved in your creation process.

 

Best of luck! Share your favorite blog titles in the comments.

 

About the Author

Yohana Petrovic is a writer and blogger. She has 10 years of experience in education, and now she is a proofreader at http://globalessays.org. You can reach her on Facebook: Yohana Petrovic or on Twitter: @YohanaPetrovic

5 Creative Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day

“It’s not how much we give,” said Mother Teresa, “but how much love we put into giving.” This statement is liberating and beautiful, but it sets a high standard on Mother’s Day. Buying Mom a blouse at the mall might be convenient, but creating a heartfelt gift with your own hands means more.

Mother’s Day is May 10. Check out these five creative ways to help Mom understand just what she means on her special day.

Make a Homemade Craft

Maybe in grade school you crafted a fruit bowl or papier-mâché sculpture for Mother’s Day. You can still make her something with your own hands. Not artistic? Not a problem. Check out these craft ideas:

• Make her a chocolate bouquet using a vase, cardstock, bamboo skewers, and tape. And, of course, chocolate.
• Create a personalized decoupage flower-pot using favorite family photos or floral prints. You’ll need a terra-cotta pot, Mod Podge, a brush, and your choice of photos or prints.
• Build a lovely necklace out of a washer. Apply scrapbook paper and Diamond Glaze to the washer, then adorn with a leather cord.
• If you’re feeling ambitious, visit the craft store and string your own special combination of beads on an elastic band. Try to incorporate at least three different types of beads—seed beads, faceted glass, chevrons, heishi discs—for the best look.

Make Homemade Beauty Products

Does your mother love the spa? If so, consider concocting your own version of department store beauty products at home. Whip up a handmade batch of bath fizzes by Martha Stewart, heart-shaped soaps by According to Kelly, or Neapolitan Ice Cream Body Scrub by Craftster.org. Keep Pinterest in mind, as well; this DIY site offers a never-ending supply of crafty recipes and ideas.

If making crafts isn’t your cup of tea, consider using pen and paper to create something special for Mom.

Write a Story Starring the Woman Herself

Does your mom enjoy reading? Do you have a flair for writing? If you answered yes to either of these questions, consider writing a story with Mom as the protagonist. True story, love story, crime story, fairy tale, a book of poetry—you decide. Just be sure to write Mom a happy ending.

You might even decide to self-publish your script. Printing a book costs less than you might expect, and here at Grammarly, we offer proofreading help for free.

Assemble a Photo Collage

Photo collages stir warm memories and touch Mom’s heart. Use the Internet resources to learn how to make Instagram photo strips, framed collages, and other gifts made from special photos. Whether you throw a few sentimental pics into a frame, fill an album with a visual timeline of family togetherness, or assemble your own family genealogy project, Mom will surely appreciate your efforts. So will the rest of the family.

Buy a Unique Gift

If you’re short on time or creativity, consider buying a unique gift for Mom made by someone else’s hands. We’re not talking about that photo print you spied at Wal-Mart. We’re talking about a one-of-a-kind piece of art, home decor, jewelry, or clothing.

The Internet boasts a treasure trove of online sellers with unique wares. Of course, there’s always Etsy, but consider these alternatives:

• ArtFire.com: Find homemade goods, art, and vintage products here.

• MadeItMyself.com: Find jewelry, clothing, and unique trinkets here.

• UncommonGoods.com: Find original artwork—watercolors, acrylics, photos, posters—here.

Mothers toil 365 days a year to support their children, grandchildren, and other loved ones. However, this sweet Sunday in May comes but once a year. Will you write a poem, sing a song, or create something altogether different this Mother’s Day?

Our Favorite Words in the English Language

Whether you are a logophile (word lover) or not, you probably can think of one or two words that you really enjoy using. These words don’t have to be rare or exotic. In fact, sometimes it’s far better if they aren’t. Some of my personal favorites are demure, frank, and stalwart. Why are they my favorites? Well, besides being fun to say, they are concrete and clear.

I’ve decided to run a poll on our Facebook page seeking out the top five favorite words in the English language. I asked:

There will be a lot of nominations, but only the top five will be featured in a blog post next week and made into a cool graphic. Naturally, for this poll, we will only accept words that have been added to mainstream dictionaries and are not slang.

Why not cast your vote? Visit the poll.

How to Use the Word Ought

You ought to learn to use the word “ought.”

What you see above is a usage example of the verb “ought,” which has two different meanings.

1 “Ought” can indicate correctness or duty, often when criticizing the actions of another.

She ought to slow down so she doesn’t get a ticket.

2 “Ought” can indicate that something is probable.

Three minutes ought to be long enough.

A lot of English learners struggle to use the word “ought.” This is because “ought” is what we call a semi-modal verb. It acts like a main verb in some ways and a modal verb in others. It is usually followed by “to” and it does not change its form depending on the person.

Your sister ought to clean up this mess.

You ought clean up your room.

Replace the “to” with “not” if you are making a negative statement.

We ought not take my mother’s car.

This short explanation ought to help you on your way to using “ought.”