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High engagement resources for teens, educators, and budding cinephiles and bibliophiles. Explore posts, resources, and activities to deepend your passion for film and literature.

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How to Analyze a Film Sequence

Have you ever tried to analyze a film sequence moving frame by frame? The practice can help you to really unpack cinematic details. Practice thinking like a filmmaker, master your film sequence analysis assignments, or utilize your detailed analysis skills with a different part of your brain in this free mini course.

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Hollywood and Literature || Film & Lit Studies

Film Studies and Literature deep dives that may include lessons, activities, and enrichment.

Latest Posts

3 Shots and Film Frame Analysis Practice in Opus

Analyzing 3 shots and other film analysis practice moments in Opus.

Opus & ASMR Horror

Why ASMR is perfect for horror, and what is Green satirizing?

Atmosphere in Opus: Arriving at Moretti's Enclave

Revisit the arrival to Moretti's enclave in Opus to look closely at how Green establishes atmosphere.

The Allegory of Opus

Unpacking the allegory of A24's Opus characters.

Opus & The Middle Perspective

Unpacking Ariel's role as the audience surrogate in A24's Opus.

Opus Opening Sequence

Analyze character and world in the opening sequence of A24's horror satire film, Opus.

Opus -- Pointless or Purposeful? A24's Wellness Horror and the Ethics of Influence

Quick thoughts on A24's Opus - is the movie pointless or purposeful? Is it possible to be ethical in late stage capitalism and the influencer economy?

Defining the Indefinable: A Poetry Kickoff Lesson Using Quotes from Poets

Poetry intimidates some students—and honestly, some teachers too. It's abstract, personal, packed with hidden meanings, and often taught with more reverence than real curiosity. That’s why I like to start my poetry unit by admitting something radical: there is no one definition of poetry. Instead of

What If She’s Not “Unmotivated”?

Why I Created a House on Mango Street Novel Study for Homeschool Families If you’re a homeschooling parent trying to get your daughter to care about literature or write with confidence, you might be feeling stuck. Especially if she’s quiet. Resistant. Disengaged. Maybe you’ve heard things like:

Why the Analytical Paragraph Still Matters in a World of Scrolls and Soundbites

When I first started teaching high school English in a wealthy, high-achieving public school district, I was surprised by how often students would argue over a single point on an assignment. At first, I chalked it up to academic perfectionism or entitlement. But one day, a colleague explained that students

How to Write a Strong Analytical Thesis Statement in High School and IB English

Learn how to write a clear, compelling analytical thesis statement for high school or IB English class. This guide breaks down sentence frames, provides real examples, and shows how to level up your thinking.

Why So Many Students Struggle with Literary Analysis—And How The House on Mango Street Can Help

“Why can’t I get above a B on my English essays?” I hear this question all the time from students—and I understand their frustration. They want to do well. They’re smart. They read the book. But when it comes time to write about literature, something’s not