The Uneven U, or How Your Paragraph and Paragraphs Can Construct an Argument
Hayot develops one of his most influential concepts, which he dubs the “uneven U.” This serves a model for conceptualizing the unit of the paragraph, to zooming out and conceptualizing the construction of the argument as a whole.
Why the Oxford Comma Still Matters
In the world of grammar, few punctuation marks spark as much debate as the Oxford comma. Also known as the serial comma, the Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of three or more items, placed before the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”).
5 Essential Books on Writing Every Serious Writer Should Read
For students, scholars, and anyone striving to write with greater clarity and power, these five books offer enduring insight. From foundational style guides to deeper explorations of academic voice and process, they each provide a different—but crucial—angle on what it means to write well.
Why Proficiency in the Humanities Is More Essential Than Ever in College Admissions
In the past decade, a dominant narrative in college admissions advised students to identify a “spike”—a sharply defined area of interest or talent—to stand out from the crowd. Students were encouraged to go deep into one niche, whether it was conducting cancer research at a local lab, launching a nonprofit, or publishing original work in machine learning. While intellectual depth is still important, the admissions landscape has shifted in recent years, particularly in the 2024–2025 cycle. Today, top colleges are actively seeking students who not only have focused interests, but who also demonstrate intellectual agility across disciplines. Proficiency in the humanities—especially reading, writing, and analytical thinking—is playing a more central role in what admissions officers define as “exceptional.”