#english advanced module

[roadkillgrlf]

i need to be in the sublime of nature.

[meleeyz]

ekko enemies to lovers? literally metal flowers was SO! GOOD! where reader is a pilte and she goes down with cait and vi in s1?

┈﹒ ꒰ 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗬 𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗘꒱

ekko 𝒙 fem!reader

୨୧ English is not my first language, so I'm sorry in advance if something reads strangely or is poorly written.

୨୧ Hello darling! Maybe this isn't exactly your idea (?), but I thought it would be fun to have a tension-filled conversation when the reader is supposed to be... you know, kidnapped. Tell me what you think! I'm also glad you liked the metal flowers one-shot 💞💞

୨୧ THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT, THIS IS THE FIRST REQUEST I HAVE AND THAT MAKES ME VERY HAPPY, YOUR NICE COMMENTS ARE ALSO GREAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN 💓

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

It all happened too fast: Vi shouting warnings, the blue-haired lunatic and her sick laughter had been the least of your problems.

And now you were here, restrained in a damp, dimly lit room, the sack over your head smelling of grease and mildew. Caitlyn’s muffled voice called for you, distant and strained.

You tugged at the ropes binding your wrists to the chair, teeth gritted. The door creaked open, and hurried footsteps approached. The sack was pulled off. A Vastaya man loomed over you, his bat-like ears curling inwards as he studied you for a moment. Then, wordlessly, he left, closing the door behind him with a resonating clang.

Blinking against the sudden light, you glanced around, your gaze landing on someone seated across the room. He wore an owl mask, his posture lazy yet somehow threatening.

Your stomach churned. You’d seen him earlier—watching from the shadows as Silco’s men attacked. He hadn’t intervened then, just observed with unnerving intensity.

“Got something to say, or are you just going to keep staring?” you snapped, your voice sharper than you intended.

The masked figure tilted his head, amusement evident in the way he leaned back.

“Staring at people like that? Kind of counts as harassment, you know,” you continued, forcing a smirk despite the pounding of your heart. “But hey, let me go, and we can settle this properly. I promise I’ll be… kind.”

The voice that responded came distorted through a modulator, low and mechanical. “You should learn to take care of that mouth. If it weren’t for the other two, you’d already be dead.”

Your eyebrows shot up, and despite yourself, you let out a sarcastic laugh. “Oh, I see how it is. Big bad owl man is bothered by my mouth? Then why didn’t you just kill me outright?”

His laugh echoed back at you, though his tone remained clipped. He stood, his figure tall and imposing as he stepped closer.

“Believe me,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “It was tempting.”

You tilted your head, meeting his gaze—or what you assumed were his eyes—through the owl mask. “Oh, I’m trembling,” you deadpanned. “What a scary owl.”

His movements stilled for a moment, the tilt of his head indicating surprise. You pressed on, determined to keep the upper hand in this strange game.

“Let me guess,” you said, smirking again. “Sitting around in a mask all day makes you feel tough, huh? What’s next—dramatic monologues about justice?”

He chuckled, stepping even closer until he was towering over you. “You’ve got guts. I’ll give you that.”

“Oh, please,” you shot back, craning your neck to meet him. “You think this is guts? I just call it basic survival.”

For a moment, silence filled the space between you, tension crackling like static. Then, slowly, he reached up, his gloved fingers curling around the edge of his mask.

Your breath hitched, the weight of the moment sinking in as he pulled it away.

The first thing you noticed were his eyes—sharp, golden-brown, and filled with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. His features were striking, all sharp angles and raw intensity but softened.

You blinked, momentarily speechless, which was enough to make him laugh again. This time, it was unmodulated—rich and almost boyish, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, his grin wide. “Cat got your tongue?”

Your mouth opened, then closed as you struggled for a response. The sheer absurdity of it hit you like a freight train. For all your mother’s warnings about suitors back in Piltover, none of them could hold a candle to him.

And, of course, he knew it.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” he said smugly, stepping back.

You clenched your fists, suddenly grateful for the handcuffs keeping you from doing something you’d probably regret.

“Don’t look so smug,” you said finally, recovering enough to glare at him. “You still kidnapped me, remember?”

“Kidnapped?” he repeated, feigning offense. “Rescued is more like it. You’re lucky I was watching.”

“Lucky?” you shot back. “You’ve got a twisted sense of gratitude.”

“Stick around. You might just learn something.”

You scowled, your cheeks warming despite yourself. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, as you sat there under the sharp gaze of the boy—no, young man—in the room. But his attention was no longer casual. His gaze was razor-edged, appraising.

“Enough games,” he said finally, his voice steady, though it carried an undertone of curiosity. “What do you know about the hextech gemstone?”

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, you were caught off guard. Hextech? You wracked your brain, recalling snippets of overheard conversations.

“It’s… like an energy booster,” you said hesitantly, your brows furrowed. “Anyone can use it to build pretty much anything. Something about it being ‘limitless potential’ or whatever.”

Ekko tilted his head, clearly not expecting you to be so forthcoming.

“You just told me, just like that?”

“Why not?” you replied with a shrug. “You didn’t kill me, which is already better than everyone else we’ve run into today. If you’re not trying to gut me on sight, you can’t be that bad.”

His laugh came low, warm, and rough, as if you’d surprised him again.

“You’re either really brave or really stupid.”

“Bit of both,” you admitted, flashing a quick smile “So, what’s next? We keep playing twenty questions?”

He chuckled dryly, though his next words were serious.

“Alright, let’s talk about your friends. What’s their deal? And what’s your relationship with the Enforcer?”

You clamped your mouth shut, trying to suppress the laugh bubbling in your chest. But the harder you tried, the more it broke free, until you were shaking with quiet.

“Enforcer?” you finally choked out, wiping the corner of your eye with your shoulder. “Caitlyn’s more like… I don’t know, a girl playing dress-up as an Enforcer. Her mother would die if she let Cait face real danger.” You tilted your head toward him, smirking. “Like this.”

Ekko raised an eyebrow, waiting for you to finish.

“Oh, and don’t leave the lovebirds alone too long,” you added, voice dripping with mock seriousness. “It seems like Cait’s taken a liking to the pink-haired one.”

That earned another huff of laughter from him. His gaze lingered on you, sharp yet tinged with reluctant amusement, as though trying to figure out whether you were always this reckless or just putting on a show.

“Alright, alright. My turn. That’s how this works, right?”

“That’s not how this works at all.”

“Sure it is,” you shot back, leaning forward as much as the restraints allowed. “If you were a conventional kidnapper, I wouldn’t have said a word. You’d have had to torture me for information—and, frankly, I don’t think you’d do it. Too soft.”

Ekko’s brow twitched, though he said nothing.

“Anyway, this isn’t a conventional kidnapping, right?” you added, your grin widening.

For a moment, he studied you, clearly debating whether to humor you. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he gestured vaguely.

“Fine. Ask your question.”

You leaned back, feigning nonchalance.

“What’s your name?”

He hesitated.

“Ekko.”

“Ekko,” you repeated, testing the name on your tongue. It suited him. “Alright, Ekko. Next question.”

He crossed his arms, his brows lifting in mock exasperation.

“I said one question.”

“You really need to loosen up,” you teased. “I want to learn how to ride that hoverboard of yours. That thing looks incredible.”

His lips twitched, but he kept his expression neutral.

“Anything else?”

“Yeah,” you said. “My wrists are starting to hurt. Being handcuffed is not exactly comfortable, you know.”

Ekko sighed, dragging a hand down his face, though you could see the faintest glint of amusement in his eyes.

“Pretty Piltie can’t handle a pair of handcuffs? I’ll free you when the time comes.”

You scoffed, rolling your eyes.

“Don’t push it.”

“When the time comes,” he said again. “I’ll free you.”

“Ekko!” you called after him, frustration bubbling to the surface. “You can’t just—hey!”

He didn’t stop, didn’t even glance back. The door creaked open as he stepped out.

Outside, Scar leaned against the wall, his arms crossed and a bemused look on his face. He watched as Ekko adjusted the straps of his owl mask, preparing to slide it back into place.

“Something on your mind?” Ekko asked, his tone sharper than intended.

Scar raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the door where you were still yelling.

“Didn’t realize we were starting a dating service for Pilties now.”

Ekko shot him a glare, the owl mask concealing the faint flush creeping up his neck. “What?”

Scar smirked, shaking his head. “Nothing.”

With a sigh, Ekko adjusted the mask, his thoughts lingering on the strange girl tied up in the other room. A rich Piltie liking him? The thought was… well, distracting.

But he pushed it aside. There was work to be done.

“Where’s Vi?” he asked, his voice low.

Scar gestured down the hall. “Waiting.”

Ekko nodded, his mind shifting gears as he prepared for what would undoubtedly be another tense conversation.

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

[anim-ttrpgs]

Eureka is an absolute masterpiece of a ttrpg with so much thought and care put into it. I really can't say enough good things about it. I do want to know if you have made/plan to make any other ttrpgs? I would love to see more genres besides supernatural urban mystery from you because of how quality your work is (but it's completely understandable if you have no plans to do other things).

Thank you! It’s taken us years to refine Eureka’s rules to this level of polish, and I do think it shows! A warning to all other aspiring TTRPG designers, though, don’t make your first project something this big! Keep it short! Not “one page rules” type of short, but don’t be like us and make your first real project a full-on trad TTRPG with this many different moving parts.

If you have aspirations to make something as crunchy and fleshed-out as Eureka, maybe try to execute the concept in a more simpler “OSR” style, and then after you’ve gotten more experience under your belt, maybe made some money and/or gotten a team together, then maybe try that concept again with more crunch. Call it “Advanced [Your Earlier Game Title]”

As for the future of A.N.I.M., we are planning to continually release adventure modules for Eureka, and probably also add-ons like extra Traits, Monster Traits, etc. I would love to include some playable monsters from cultures outside “the west” too, but I wouldn’t want to half-ass them, I’d want to give them as much research, attention detail and themes, etc. that I’ve given to all the other monsters. That’s just a lot harder when the best sources aren’t always in English.

Speaking of shorter games, I already wrote a little tiny game on the side called Edge Hedge Arena.

This is a game where you google “[Your Name] the Hedgehog”, choose one of the many Sonic OCs that are likely to come up, then give them stats and battle them against those of other players using the rules provided.

Since I basically have no more rules to write for Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy and I’m mostly just waiting for other members of the team to finish working on their parts, I’ve partially moved on to working on A.N.I.M.’s next big game, too!

We’ve learned our lesson, it’s not going to be anywhere near the page count or crunch level of Eureka, even though you know I love crunchy games. Well, actually, it’s probably only slightly less crunchy than Eureka, but it’s about much more specific scenarios, so it’ll still overall have less mechanics. The scope is much smaller.

This is a dark comedy/satire game that kind of takes the Forgotten Realms “evil sexy matriarchal bdsm slavery society ruled by warriors who fight in lingerie” dark elf concept and asks the question of “What kind of society and circumstances would actually produce this?” (Though it doesn’t actually take place in Forgotten Realms or any other D&D setting)

And then makes the comparison to 20th and 21st century American capitalism. “No, these aren’t slaves, they aren’t chained up and are allowed to leave any time they want. But they only get food so long as they keep working, and if they disobey then can get beaten.” It started out as a joke, but we are probably going to add "media literacy" to the list of requirements alongside dice and stuff hahaha, like, the ability to understand that the world of this game is not supposed to represent the author's idea of a perfect society. We might add that to Eureka too.

Silk&Dagger is about class, gender roles, different ways that forced labor can manifest in a society, and most importantly surviving all of those things.

Going forward to understand what I’m saying you have to know that in this setting, “Drow” is a title, referring to the ruling warrior caste. Most Drow are dark elves, but not all dark elves are Drow. This society is structured a bit like ancient Sparta, with a very small ruling caste of warriors, and a very large servant caste. Social mobility between these castes is possible, but rather than getting into it in detail and making this post super long, let’s just say that many servants consider themselves temporarily embarrassed Drow.

A typical “party” in Silk&Dagger is will consist of one Drow PC and any number of servant PCs working for her. There are regular chores that need to be done around the palace, which provide challenges, but scenarios will also throw major issues into the mix.

A Drow’s Reputation is everything, if the Drow PC’s Reputation stat reaches 0, that is the failure state for the entire party, because it basically means no more food. (Even the servants, for lore reasons that I also won’t get into)

So a typical scenario will be like “Somebody very important is coming to visit, but the lower floor of the palace is starting to flood for an unknown reason.” We’re going to have multi-part tables where you can randomly generate these, but we will also have more in-depth adventure modules for it in the future.

We ran a playtest the other day basically based on this scenario. The intended comedy of the game really came out as we kept switching perspectives, with the Drow upstairs having to constantly come up with new ways to impress her guests and explain away that splashing sound while the servant worked down below trying to find and plug the leak.

So, the PCs will have to deal with all that while also making sure that all the chores get done, and the kicker is, they can’t easily communicate with each other. The massive gulf between the two castes is the real enemy here, along with the behavioral expectations placed on each.

They could’ve gotten a head start on dealing with the flooding if the servant had had permission to speak earlier and could’ve told the Drow that the lower floor is flooding, but

There’s a big list of behaviors that a servant has to fulfill when interacting with a Drow, which are basically designed to be impossible to follow and just get them in trouble, and a Drow who doesn’t strictly enforce this etiquette risks losing Reputation for it.

On the other side, Drow also have to constantly embody a list of six features, which basically means acting as evil as possible, their Reputation depends on it.

One other unique feature of Silk&Dagger is that it is a two-GM game. One GM does most of the normal GM stuff, while the other GM represents the ever-present societal expectations weighing on all the characters, subtracting Reputation points and important things every time the PCs do something that makes them look bad in the eyes of this society.

There may come times where PCs will just have to take the hit to get things done, or find clever ways to make it look like they’re upholding the status quo while secretly treating each other like equals when nobody’s looking.

You can expect, like, an alpha or beta version of this game to come to the patreon in probably January or February, and maybe even itchio if it is far along enough by then. It was actually supposed to be out on the patreon in December, but some personal issues and illnesses really held it up. I am really going to try and make it less than 200 pages.

I'll end the post with one of my favorite little bits from the setting/lore. One of the reasons that Drow dress like that is because it helps them identify each other by thermal vision in the pitch black tunnels. Unique patterns of covered and uncovered skin serve as a sort of personal heraldry.

Elegantly designed and thoroughly playtested, Eureka represents the culmination of three years of near-daily work from our team, as well as a lot of our own money. If you’re just now reading this and learning about Eureka for the first time, you missed the crowdfunding window unfortunately, but you can still check out the public beta on itch.io to learn more about what Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy actually is, as that is where we have all the fancy art assets, the animated trailer, links to video reviews by podcasts and youtubers, etc.!

You can also follow updates on our Kickstarter page where we post regular updates on the status of our progress finishing the game and getting it ready for final release.

Beta Copies through the Patreon

If you want more, you can download regularly updated playable beta versions of Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy earlier, plus extra content such as adventure modules by subscribing to our Patreon at the $5 tier or higher. Subscribing to our patreon also grants you access to our patreon discord server where you can talk to us directly and offer valuable feedback on our progress and projects.

The A.N.I.M. TTRPG Book Club

If you would like to meet the A.N.I.M. team and even have a chance to play Eureka with us, you can join the A.N.I.M. TTRPG Book Club discord server. It’s also just a great place to talk and discuss TTRPGs, so there is no schedule obligation, but the main purpose of it is to nominate, vote on, then read, discuss, and play different indie TTRPGs. We put playgroups together based on scheduling compatibility, so it’s all extremely flexible. This is a free discord server, separate from our patreon exclusive one. https://discord.gg/7jdP8FBPes

Other Stuff

We also have a ko-fi and merchandise if you just wanna give us more money for any reason.

We hope to see you there, and that you will help our dreams come true and launch our careers as indie TTRPG developers with a bang by getting us to our base goal and blowing those stretch goals out of the water, and fight back against WotC's monopoly on the entire hobby. Wish us luck.

[secretofpandora]

📶 FILE #LST-027: "SIGNAL"

📋 BASIC INFORMATION 

Callsign: Signal 

Status: ACTIVE 

Affiliation: Pandora 

Division: Lust

Faceclaim: Oliver Stark 

Date of Birth: [REDACTED] 

Age: 32 

Place of Origin: [REDACTED] 

Sex / Gender: Male (He/Him) 

Mutation Type: Emotion Manipulation 

Recruitment Date: 5 years ago 

Sexual Orientation: [REDACTED] 

Alignment Profile: Neutral Good [REDACTED]

💪 PHYSICAL INFORMATION 

Height: 6'0" (183 cm) 

Build: Athletic and solid. Signal carries a physique built for endurance and strength, with broad shoulders, a powerful chest, and dense musculature honed through field conditioning. His frame is well-balanced for resilience in sustained operations, maintaining force without sacrificing mobility. 

Complexion: Fair with warm undertones, skin showing natural field wear that is kept in excellent condition. Subtle operational scarring is present, minimal and unobtrusive. 

Hair: Warm reddish-blonde, short and styled for practical field use. Natural copper undertones become more pronounced under light, complementing his approachable yet commanding presence. 

Facial Hair: Keeps neatly trimmed stubble, reinforcing a warm yet confident presence. 

Body Hair: Moderate, well-maintained for operational efficiency. 

Distinguishing Features: Notably expressive eyes capable of conveying instant emotional read. His stance and bearing exude grounded authority, while his movements are steady and sure, naturally drawing attention without demanding it. 

Tattoos: None. Signal maintains an unmarked appearance for operational adaptability.

🧠 PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE 

Psych Eval Tags: Warm, Observant 

Reprimands: [REDACTED] — see file: Behavioral Note L-014 ("Overextending & Passive") 

Signal operates as the emotional core of his unit, balancing morale and neutralizing psychological volatility in high-risk environments. His optimism is practiced, deployed with tactical precision to preserve cohesion and focus.

Before recruitment, Signal functioned as a crisis negotiator and emergency response coordinator, guiding groups through volatile scenarios with composure and clarity. His instinctive grasp of crowd psychology made him indispensable in critical incidents.

Pandora identified Signal as a priority candidate based on exceptional civilian performance. Following two years of intensive training, Signal underwent successful serum application, which enhanced his natural abilities to extraordinary levels.

In the field, Signal is indispensable for maintaining unit morale, undermining enemy emotional stability, and ensuring mission focus amid chaos. His influence is described as immediate, immersive, and meticulously controlled.

🔬 ABILITY OVERVIEW 

Primary Mutation: Emotion Manipulation 

Signal can perceive, enhance, or suppress emotional states in both individuals and groups. His power enables him to stabilize crowds, undermine enemy morale, and reinforce allied cohesion under extreme pressure.

Secondary Traits: 

Acute emotional perception and rapid situational adjustment 

Advanced negotiation under duress 

Tactical emotional diagnostics for dynamic field environments

Limitations: 

Less effective against emotionally trained adversaries 

Cognitive strain under prolonged multi-target modulation 

Requires close range and line-of-sight for precision 

Governed by strict ethical constraints to prevent misuse

🧠 TACTICAL PROFILE 

Division Expertise: 

Seduction 

Culture & Politics

Selected Expertise: 

Persuasion

Proficiencies: 

Insight 

Deception 

Stealth & Infiltration 

Languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin) 

Investigation

Deficiencies: 

Brute Force 

Cryptograms & Code Breaking

⚙️ EQUIPMENT & SUIT DESIGN 

Signal’s suit is engineered for mobility, psychological resonance, and visual approachability. Tailored to his solid frame, it balances tactical readiness with a commanding yet warm presence in operational environments. The design favors sleek lines and responsive materials that enable fluid movement without sacrificing protection.

Constructed primarily in matte black with integrated deep, warm red paneling, the suit presents a deliberate balance between subtlety and allure — a visual extension of Signal’s role as an emotional operator. The color palette is designed to draw the eye without overwhelming, supporting his ability to command attention and ease tension.

Key Features: 

Biofeedback gauntlets for emotional state monitoring and feedback loops 

Integrated vocal modulation system for amplified crowd influence 

Tactical boots with adaptive grip for silent, agile movement 

Sensory mesh overlay for real-time emotional environment mapping 

Streamlined design with no external insignia, preserving operational anonymity

The suit’s design reflects Signal’s mission role: understated yet impactful, supporting his ability to both navigate high-tension scenarios and shape emotional landscapes with precision.

📂 FIELD NOTES — BACKGROUND PROFILE 

Signal’s pre-recruitment history is classified, but records confirm extensive service as a crisis negotiator and emergency response coordinator. His ability to de-escalate high-risk situations and maintain composure in volatile environments marked him as an elite asset long before his mutation manifested.

Pandora selected Signal based on his exceptional civilian performance and psychological profile, recognizing his natural leadership and emotional command potential. After extensive training and successful serum application, his abilities were amplified to tactical utility.

Signal is now an irreplaceable component of field teams, trusted to maintain emotional balance in combat zones, disrupt enemy morale, and act as a psychological shield for his allies.

🔐 [CLASSIFIED: LEVEL 7 CLEARANCE REQUIRED] 

Unofficial Agent Notes — Subject: Signal. The following details are restricted to internal psychological and biometric files.

Medical records confirm Signal’s athletic build with pronounced upper-body strength and core stability, supporting prolonged stamina and field endurance.

Measurements list subject at 6.75 inches in length, cut, with notable girth exceeding proportional expectations. Physical composition is consistent with subject’s resilient, balanced physique, favoring breadth and density over length. Behavioral assessments indicate confident physicality, expressed in both professional and intimate contexts.

Signal exhibits a versatile and highly adaptive dynamic in intimate engagements, embracing a fluid switch role that prioritizes mutual pleasure. His service-oriented nature shines through in both dominant and submissive positions, seamlessly adjusting to his partner’s desires with an intuitive understanding of emotional and physical cues. Teasing, edging, and prolonged build-up play are signature elements of his approach, heightening anticipation and connection with practiced finesse. He displays a particular fondness for mutual pleasure, favoring positions that allow full-bodied contact and reciprocal stimulation.

Notably, Signal demonstrates an openness to light bondage, favoring softer restraints such as silk ties that amplify the sense of shared experience without compromising comfort. Underneath his practiced composure, he harbors a quiet thrill for semi-public encounters, where the risk of exposure sharpens the intensity of engagement.

Post-encounter observations confirm Signal’s exemplary aftercare practices, maintaining his role as an emotional anchor beyond the physical encounter. He consistently ensures his partner’s comfort and well-being, providing both physical reassurance and emotional grounding. Despite his easy charm, Signal preserves operational discipline in professional settings, compartmentalizing personal indulgences without compromising mission integrity.

FILE STATUS: OPEN  LAST UPDATED: [REDACTED]

[djarins-cyare]

So it’s been a year…

One year since Disney released episode 1 season 3 of The Mandalorian

One year since I published chapter 1 of Be-All And Endor

I don’t really remember much of the first 20 weeks of that year, just that it was a flurry of proofreading and finalising and uploading (the hard parts) and comment reading and new friend making and massively appreciating (the wonderful parts).

Proofing and publishing 2 chapters a week with average lengths of around 10k words was exhausting. But for the first 8 of those weeks I had Din Djarin on the screen (intermittently *ahem* but this isn’t a post about the quality of s3) and for the rest of the year I had my readers leaving comments and sending messages, and it was… overwhelmingly the best year of my life.

I mean that. The best year. Ever. Because of you. Any of you, all of you, if you’ve ever even just clicked on my fic and given it chance, you’ve raised the hits on it. Even seeing that metric tick up has made me so thankful.

Because I didn’t think I could write. I always wanted to be an author but never believed in myself.

I did an English degree with writing in mind, but told myself nobody ever does anything with an English degree. I took creative writing modules, and when the published author who ran the class gave me scathing feedback, my dream fully died. I got an okay grade, hardly anything to be proud of, and I graduated and went to work in another industry.

I suffered from clinical depression.

One day many years later, I found a favourite author online and messaged him to ask when his fourth novel in a series was being published, and (emboldened by the anonymity of being online) cheekily offered to proofread it for him. Except he took me seriously and sent me the prologue to see what I could do. Like, for a real book you can buy on Amazon. After feeling sick for two whole days I went all Autistic Obsession on it and sent him back the most thoroughly proofed bit of writing anyone had ever seen. And I got the job. (I say ‘job’, I’d volunteered for free in exchange for the privilege of reading it in advance, so I can only ever call it semi-professional since I didn’t earn from it).

This, amongst other things, lifted me from my depression. I came off the pills and felt happier, more creative. Once the proofing was completed, the author encouraged me to write my own stuff, but whilst I’d gained some confidence… my brain was empty. I had no clamouring stories to get down on the page, no gems ready to polish.

Then in summer 2021, a friend sat me down and showed me the first 3 episodes of the Mandalorian. And my brain chemistry was instantly altered. I binge-watched the first two seasons, by the end of which I was unequivocally in love with Din Djarin, and then I binge-watched them again.

Around that time, I moved to a different country. Well, Wales is still the UK, but it’s a different country to England, and I was now 170 miles away from my friends. I went because as a single woman on a middling salary, London is too expensive to live in and having rid myself of an overbearing long term relationship, I was NOT keen to get into another one just to pay the bills. The pandemic meant I could work remotely, so I upped sticks and moved to Cardiff, resolving to visit my office in London (and my friends) once a month. It’s 2 hours by train, totally doable.

So what to do with all the spare time I suddenly had?

By Easter 2022 I’d started writing. 9 months later (yes, it’s my actual baby), Be-All And Endor was complete and I began publishing alongside season 3’s release.

Now… it has over 62.k views and 1.2k kudos 🥹🤯

Did I think it would be this popular? No way. I can’t even believe it now. I still see SO much wrong with it, which is why I’m still proofreading and editing it.

A professional proofread/edit takes a long time, and if you’re wondering what I’m doing to it, it involves the following:

Checking for things like clichés, non-inclusive language

Checking all adverbs to see if a better word can be used (e.g. ‘bellows’ instead of ‘shouts loudly’… adverbs usually end in -ly and it’s not good to overuse them)

Rephrasing any passive sentences (simply put: ‘the ship is flown by Din’ is passive; ‘Din flies the ship’ is active)

Reducing average sentence length (shorter sentences are easier to read)

Going through every single damn polysyllabic word (e.g. anything that has more than 3-syllables) and seeing if a shorter synonym can be found (this helps the rhythm, as too many long words slows things down and can make readers stumble… and I use them a lot 😖)

Checking the 50 most frequently used words and seeing if I can find synonyms for those (helps give more variety in the language)

Ensuring Din’s name isn’t overused or underused, and adding epithets (e.g. ‘the hunter’ or ‘your Mandalorian’) where it’s overused but it’s too confusing to just say ‘he’/‘him’

These are the big things, but there’s more too - I’m streamlining decisions I made to use certain phrasings throughout; tweaking Din’s word choice here and there to ensure his voice is captured the best way possible; revamping some of the photos. And with all the tiny tweaks, it’s slowly padding things out too… when publishing was done it was 393k, now it’s 403k, although it’s not extra content as such, just better described.

I’m up to chapter 13 so far, and I’ll probably be doing this for another 2 years to get through all 40, because (a) I want to write other things too so that slows down the proofing, and (b) I so badly want to be proud of this project… everyone’s telling me I should be, and I am in a way… but it’s more gratitude to others than pride in myself… and I feel like if I get this proofing done and finally have a story I’m truly happy with, I can at last let myself be proud of what I achieved here.

I confess, I’m so envious of those who can post something without obsessing over it. I know it’s a facet of my autism, and I’ve long since accepted that my neurodivergent brain will not let me be cool about things other people are cool about. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that I should turn it to my advantage, so okay… I’m gonna make this fic the same quality as a published book on your bookshelf. And meanwhile I’m gonna enjoy and love all the fics that people can write and publish with far greater speed than I can, because the greatest thing about this fandom is that every contribution is worthy of appreciation, no matter the author’s experience or writing method. Quality fic isn’t synonymous with proofreading, and I hope it’s clear that I’m describing my obsession with perfecting my own writing, not other people’s. I’ve read so many amazing authors on here, and I want them all to know how much I love their work (any recs are from the bottom of my heart).

So anyway, this long and rambling post has turned into something unintended… I guess you now have some insight into my mind and the origins of Be-All And Endor and the future of it. Not what I meant to do, but I’ll leave it in for context.

Because the real reason I started writing this diatribe was because I wanted to express my true and undying gratitude to everyone who has ever read, commented, or left kudos on my fic over on AO3, and/or messaged me, followed me, interacted with me, or reblogged my masterlist here on tumblr 🧡💚

I know I am insanely lucky to have received the level of support I have, and I don’t take that for granted at all. I want to give back to this fandom, and I love reading and reccing other people’s fics, meeting new moots, and hopefully soon I’ll be publishing new fics for you all to read too. Fresh material is percolating, so it won’t be too long now.

So thank you to everyone who reads this post, you’re the absolute best and I love you more than I have the vocabulary to describe. Please accept a grateful forehead kiss instead 💋

[borealiszero]

*Tip toes inside your inbox*

4, 13 and 14 for fourteen :3

HIIIIII HEHEHEHE

4. And reverse, which one of the four things did you struggle with the most?

With Fourteen, I actually struggled with his personality. He was a traumatized soldier who has no agency of himself, so for him to break through his paranoia and rebuild that trust with people around him is what I struggle lot with. I want him to heal (as much as he can in HSR lmao) but not in a way that healthy people with therapy do.

He needs to be less emotionally repressed but still a cunt to people. Before he was shitty to other people because he don't trust them and being an asshole is a way to build that wall between them, but as an adult he's rude to people bc people are stupid and get on his nerves. I also write him to be an unreliable narrator, as in he did things for reasons he say that benefits to him, the fact that it benefits others are mere coincidence.

I also want him to have that gap moe lmao

13. Do you have a voice claim for the character? What do you imagine the character sounds like?

Do you know Zhongli's English VA? YEAH I VOICECLAIM HIM AS THAT XJSBSJXHSJWJNS

Essentially with his mask on, his voice are mid tone and clear, with those mic sounds thing, as his voice was edited with a voice modulator. Without it, his voice was actually much lower and softer bc he speaks softly actually, a trait that he couldn't get rid off after years of not speaking. He screams loud though and his singing sucks. One song and you'll be seeing your ancestors.

14. Do you have any quotes tied to the character, either from the story itself or from another source that fit them?

VSJAVVXJSVSBA I HAVE THE HSR OC REF SHEET THING AND HIS OPINIONS ON PUBLIC TOILET IS SO FUNNY HOLD ON

Fourteen [annoyance]: Ugh, I hate public toilets. If you goes to those toilets at pit stops, it'll have the worse smell of all humanities combined, especially men's toilet. And if you go to those high ends one, they'll be using inventions thats too advanced it wrapped back around to being shit. Why the [galactic curse] is the [galactic curse] sink has no damn tap??

[arknights-global-news]

[Global] Path of Life

Duration: December 3, 2024 - December 24, 2024

Official Event Page

Wiki.gg Event Page

Event summary below

Event PV

New Operators

Ulpianus - 6* Crusher Guard

Lucilla - 5* Hexer Supporter

Underflow - 5* Sentry Protector Defender (in Event Store)

Rerun Operator

Scene - 5* Summoner Supporter (Gold or Blue Certificate Store)

New Skins

Melanite - For the Banquet (18 OP)

Gladiia - I Am the Tides (18 OP)

Penance - Scribing (18 OP)

Grain Bud - Fragrant Pace (18 OP)

Rerun Skins

Fartooth - Hear the Wind Sing (18 OP)

Shalem - The Fruition (18 OP)

Paprika - The Road to Here (18 OP)

Saga - There They Be (18 OP)

Manticore - Invisible Dirge (Event Store)

Siege - Legacy (Gold or Blue Certificate Store)

Available December 17 to December 31, 2024 (ignore the banner dates)

Flametail - Sport For All (18 OP)

Aosta - Light Gun Adjuster (18 OP)

Kirara - Trendsetting Player (15 OP)

Available December 17 to December 31, 2024 (ignore the banner dates)

Czerny - Freeland Tuneseeker (18 OP)

Furniture

New Modules

Modules added for all Hunter Sniper operators, Medic Amiya, Lucilla, and Underflow.

Also, Gladiia, Ifrit, and Penance receive second modules.

See DragonGJY's overview of the modules here.

More Newbie Rewards

New players to Arknights will now receive the following items during beginner missions. Players who made accounts before this event will receive them upon logging in to the game up to 180 days after the event drops.

Top Operator Transfer Permit - Starter (Select from Blaze, Exusiai, Mountain, Saria, SilverAsh, or Thorns)

Ten-roll Kernel Headhunting Permit

Headhunting permit

Senior Operator Training Invitation Letter (immediately promote a 5 star operator who is at most Elite 1 into Elite 2 for free. Any resources already spent on the operator will NOT be refunded.)

Senior Operator Training Apparatus (Immediately raise a 5 star operator who is at least elite 2 level 1 to the maximum level for free. Any resources already spent on the operator will NOT be refunded.)

Advanced Material Voucher (Select 3 tier 3 upgrade materials of your choice)

In addition, the starter headhunting banner has been updated. Featured 6 stars are now: Blaze, Exusiai, Mountain, Saria, SilverAsh, and Thorns. See wiki page for 5 stars.

Voicelines

New English Voices:

Underflow

Lucilla

Ulpianus

Gladiia

Thorns

Indigo

All operators will receive new voicelines for anniversary and New Year greetings.

Other

A login event will give 200 orundum and a unique furniture, among other rewards.

The Secret Sanctuary will be superseded by the Crystallization Sanctuary and Contract Bounty will be exchanged into Crystal Contract Bounty at a 1:1 ratio.

Record restoration added for Lingering Echoes on December 17, 2024.

New Operator Records and Paradox Simulations for: Coldshot, Deepcolor, Insider, Lucilla, Lutonada

Afterglow-Styled Music Room pieces available in furniture store starting December 17, 2024.

[vividlyghostlyentity]

From UPSC Aspirant to Digital Marketer: My Unexpected but Empowering Journey

Like many graduates in India, I dreamed of serving the nation by becoming a civil servant. Right after graduation, I began preparing for the UPSC exam with full dedication. I spent years with books, current affairs, and mock tests—sacrificing time, energy, and even social life. But despite my hard work, I didn’t get the result I hoped for.

That phase of life was tough. I felt lost, unsure of my next move. But deep inside, I knew I wanted to do something meaningful, something where I could use my communication skills, creativity, and interest in public engagement. That’s when I discovered the world of digital marketing.

At first, I had no idea what digital marketing was. It sounded technical and full of English terms I didn’t understand. But I came across a beginner-friendly program titled Digital Marketing for Beginners from adda247, and that changed everything.

A New Beginning: Entering the World of Digital Marketing

The course started with a simple question: "What is digital marketing?" The answer surprised me. It’s all about promoting products, services, or ideas through the internet—on Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more. Suddenly, I saw a new kind of career path—one that matched my interests in communication, content, and people.

The Digital Marketing Course at adda247 was designed to be easy and practical. It started from the basics and gradually built up to advanced tools and strategies. I didn’t need any technical background, just a willingness to learn and practice.

In just a few weeks, I learned how to:

Create and manage social media pages professionally

Write engaging content that attracts attention

Do basic SEO to rank websites on Google

Run simple paid ad campaigns

Track performance using tools like Google Analytics

From Confusion to Confidence

What I loved most about the program was that it was created specifically as a Digital Marketing Course for Beginners. Every module was in simple language, with real-life examples and assignments. The instructors at adda247 were supportive and made even the complex topics feel manageable.

Soon, I was applying my knowledge practically—managing social media for a local business, creating designs on Canva, writing blog posts, and even building a small website. Each task gave me a sense of achievement, something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Why I Recommend This Course

Today, I feel empowered. I may not have cleared UPSC, but I’ve found a career that excites me, challenges me, and gives me creative freedom. If you're in a place of confusion after your studies, or you're just curious about the online world, I highly recommend checking out the Digital Marketing Course at adda247.

Whether you want to work in an agency, start freelancing, or build your own online brand, this course gives you everything you need to begin. For anyone new, their Digital Marketing for Beginners section is the perfect starting point.

From civil services to social media campaigns—my journey may have taken a turn I didn’t expect, but I’m proud of where it’s led me. And yours can start today.

[shankhachil]

Countdown to JEE (Main): Week 3/33

(I need to take new pictures LMAOOOOOOOOO)

This week was a bit less productive than usual, JEE-wise! But that's because my school unit tests have started and I needed to revise English since I had barely touched any of the lessons in the syllabus.

I think I have done more-or-less-okay in terms of question solving though... let's see —

Test results:

none this week!

Topics covered:

Physics: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current, Gravitation, Geometrical Optics, Electromagnetic Waves, Wave Optics (7/3)

Chemistry: Solid State, Coordination Chemistry, Hydrocarbons, Alcohols and Ethers, Ionic Equilibrium, Halogen Derivatives (6/3)

Mathematics: Limits, Indefinite Integrals, Definite Integrals, Matrices (4/3)

Questions solved:

Physics: - Allen Electrostatics module, O2, JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced) archives — 57 questions, 52 correct - Allen Geometrical Optics module, O1 — 100 questions, 95 correct - Allen Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current module, O1 — 33 questions, 29 correct - Allen Gravitation module, JEE (Main) archives — 43 questions, 41 correct - Allen Current Electricity module, O1 — 51 questions, 50 correct - H. C. Verma Electromagnetic Induction — 20 questions, 19 correct - H. C. Verma Light Waves — 20 questions, 19 correct - Allen Electromagnetic Waves and Wave Optics module, O1 and O2 — 47 questions, 35 correct - FIITJEE JEE (Main) archives, Optics — 21 questions, 17 correct Total: 392/60 questions, 307 correct (uh-oh, gotta work on that accuracy)

Chemistry: - Allen Solid State module, O1, O2, JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced) archives — 131 questions, 115 correct - Allen Coordination Chemistry module, O1 — 40 questions, 34 correct - Allen Hydrocarbons module, O1, O2 and S1 — 57 questions, 55 correct - Himanshu Pandey, Alcohols and Ethers — 40 questions, 36 correct - Allen Ionic Equilibrium module, O1 — 20 questions, 18 correct - Kota Question Bank Halogen Derivatives — 40 questions, 36 correct Total: 328/60 questions, 300 correct

Mathematics: - Allen RACE 5, 6, 7 — 30 questions, 27 correct - Allen Limits module, O1 and O2 — 50 questions, 45 correct - Arihant Integral Calculus Indefinite Integrals, Exercise 1 and 2 — 55 questions, 45 correct - Sameer Bansal* Indefinite Integrals, Exercise 1 — 31 questions, 27 correct Total: 166/60 questions, 144 correct *this book was sponsored by @warning-coffee-is-explosive! thanks king <3

GRAND TOTAL: 886/400 questions, 751 correct

Oh. It turns out I just feel like I've been unproductive.

Upcoming tests:

23/06/2024 (Sunday) — Allen monthly test. Topics: Kinetic Theory of Gases; Physical Thermodynamics; Electrostatics; Potential and Capacitance; Current Electricity; Electromagnetic Induction; Alternating Current; Electromagnetic Waves; Waves on a String; Sound Waves; Ray Optics; Wave Optics; Circle; Functions; Differentiation; Applications of Derivatives; Indefinite Integrals; Definite Integrals; Area Under a Curve; Differential Equations; Matrices; Silicates; Molecules That Do Not Exist; Coordination Chemistry; Metallurgy; Electronic Displacement Effects; Halogen Derivatives; Atomic Structure; Chemical Equilibrium; Solid State; Solutions; Chemical Kinetics; Chemical Thermodynamics. I'm feeling a little better about this one now...

See you again next week!

[theteflinstituteie]

The TEFL Institute

The TEFL Institute: Leading Provider of Accredited TEFL

The TEFL Institute stands out as a global leader in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL certification, offering internationally recognized and fully accredited courses for aspiring English teachers. With over 30 years of experience, the TEFL Institute of Ireland is renowned for its high-quality training, comprehensive student support, and strong global reputation, making it a top choice for those seeking to teach English abroad or teach English online.

Accredited and Recognized TEFL Courses

The TEFL Institute provides a range of TEFL Courses, including the popular 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course, Level 5 Diplomas, and specialized advanced diplomas. Their qualifications are regulated by Ofqual (UK Government), accredited by Highfield Qualifications and DEAC, and recognized by employers worldwide. This ensures that graduates receive a certification that is respected and verifiable by employers globally, enhancing their job prospects in the competitive ESL market.

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Courses are designed for maximum flexibility, allowing students to study online 24/7 from any device, making it easy to fit learning into busy schedules. The curriculum covers essential TEFL methodologies, English grammar, classroom management, lesson planning, and practical teaching skills. Students benefit from dedicated tutor support, interactive modules, and an engaging learning environment. The TEFL Institute also offers live Zoom sessions, a Facebook alumni group, and personalized guidance from experienced TEFL tutors, ensuring every learner receives tailored assistance throughout their journey.

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Graduates gain lifetime access to the TEFL Institute Jobs Board, connecting them with reputable employers and teaching opportunities worldwide and online. The Institute’s recruitment division actively assists students in securing teaching positions, while their qualifications open doors to teaching in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

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The TEFL Institute boasts a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Google and other review platforms, with thousands of positive testimonials highlighting the quality of instruction, supportive tutors, and practical teaching skills gained. Students frequently note the Institute’s user-friendly platform, effective feedback, and the confidence they build to teach English successfully.

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For anyone looking to start or advance a career in teaching English as a foreign language, the TEFL Institute offers trusted, accredited certification and comprehensive support, ensuring you are fully prepared for success in the global ESL industry.

Contact Us

The TEFL Institute

4 Shandon St, Gallowshill, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, X35 A365, Ireland

+353 58 73135

https://teflinstitute.com

Find Us Online

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To know More

Brand Map

[rapidlycrimsonscribe]

Welcome to the ultimate online English grammar course—your complete guide to mastering the rules of the English language. Designed for learners of all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced speakers. This course breaks down English grammar into easy, manageable lessons for all learning styles. Explore key topics like nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions. Understand how to construct clear and correct sentences with proper word order. Learn verb tenses in detail—present, past, future, perfect tenses, and more.

Grasp tricky concepts like passive voice, conditionals, phrasal verbs, and reported speech. Master punctuation: commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons, and quotation marks. Study clauses, sentence types, modifiers, articles, and determiners. Interactive lessons with real-world examples help connect grammar to daily use. Access high-quality video tutorials, animations, and instructor-led walkthroughs. Practice what you learn with grammar quizzes, writing tasks, and revision activities. Flexible course structure allows you to learn at your own pace—no pressure or deadlines. Use any device—computer, tablet, or smartphone—to access materials 24/7. Great for students preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge exams, or school tests. Ideal for professionals who want to write better emails, reports, and presentations. Build stronger foundations for academic writing, blogging, or creative storytelling. Learn to identify and correct common grammar errors with confidence. Download printable grammar reference guides, cheat sheets, and checklists. Receive instructor feedback on key assignments in premium modules. Get certified—receive a downloadable certificate upon successful completion. Join live sessions for doubt-clearing, grammar games, and community discussions. Track your progress with detailed analytics and achievement milestones. Earn badges and unlock levels as you master each topic and skill. Engage with fellow learners from around the world in discussion boards and forums. Access bonus modules on business English, academic writing, and everyday conversation. Course content is regularly updated to reflect current usage and evolving trends. No prior experience needed—start from scratch or brush up your existing skills. Perfect for self-study or as a supplement to school or university learning. Taught by experienced, certified English teachers with international expertise. Build lasting grammar habits through spaced repetition and guided practice. Includes transcripts, subtitles, and accessibility options for all learners. Affordable pricing with flexible plans and group discounts available. Join thousands of successful learners who have improved their grammar with us. Start your journey today and become confident in using correct English grammar—anytime, anywhere!

[diaryofa-writer]

Mon, 12 Aug, 2024

I have enrolled in my final year of Open University!! The modules I plan on doing are Advanced Creative Writing and English Literature from Shakespeare to Austen. The website for my English Lit module opens on Wednesday and, since my parents have helped me massively by starting to buy the set texts I need for the year, I will start reading and annotating my books for the first essay just to get ahead because the reading usually takes me a while and then I fall behind so being quite ahead of schedule will definitely help me in the long run.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Chris Hastings

Published: Jun 25, 2023

Is this a case of crazy wokery I see before me? Actors ridicule university trigger warnings over blood in Macbeth

Queen University Belfast has issued a warning to students studying Shakespeare

It stressed Macbeth 'could cause offence' due to its depictions of 'bloodshed'  

Similar warnings have been applied to the Twelfth Night and Titus Andronicus

It is Shakespeare's most violent play – a bloody saga packed with stabbing, strangling and poisoning that reaches a grisly climax with a beheading.

And for more than 400 years audiences have been enthralled – if a little disturbed – by the butchery of Macbeth.

But now one of the UK's top universities stands accused of 'infantilising' students after it warned them they might be 'offended' by the 'bloodshed' in the play.

Queen's University Belfast has issued the warning to undergraduates studying a module called Further Adventures in Shakespeare on its BA English course.

'You are advised that this play could cause offence as it references and / or deals with issues and depictions relating to bloodshed,' the warning, a copy of which has been obtained by this newspaper under Freedom of Information laws, states.

The university has also applied similar warnings to the Bard's Richard III, Twelfth Night and Titus Andronicus.

Some of Britain's biggest theatrical stars last night branded the warnings counterproductive and unnecessary. They point out that Macbeth, which was first performed in 1606, is particularly popular with schoolchildren.

Sir Ian McKellen, who starred opposite Dame Judi Dench in Sir Trevor Nunn's landmark 1976 RSC production, said warnings such as this could undermine the dramatic impact of the piece.

He said: 'My sister (a teacher) used to show Sir Trevor Nunn's TV version of the 1976 Macbeth to her teenage students.

'She'd pull down the blinds, start the video and then leave the classroom and count the minutes till she heard the first scream from within. Had the youngsters had trigger warnings in advance, the effect of the play would have been considerably diminished.'

He added: 'I remember talking to a priest who saw a number of performances of the stage production at the Stratford Other Place.

'He would hold out his crucifix throughout the performance, to protect the audience from the devilry conjured by the cast. I suppose these triggers are something similar.'

Call The Midwife star Jenny Agutter, who has acted in Shakespeare's The Tempest, King Lear and Love's Labour's Lost, said: 'I don't understand why anyone should feel warnings are necessary for Shakespeare's plays. Unless we need to be constantly warned that depicting human nature might cause offence.'

Sir Richard Eyre, the former Director of the National Theatre who has directed productions of Hamlet, Richard III and King Lear, said: 'It's completely fatuous and totalitarian to try to police people's minds with these absurd warnings. Ridiculous, contemptible, infantilising.

Presumably the people putting out the trigger warnings feel they are able to cope with the content of these plays, but weaker, younger, less intelligent people aren't.' Doctor Who star David Tennant and The Good Wife actress Cush Jumbo are due to star in a new production of Macbeth which opens in London in December. It is one of four major productions of the play set to open in the UK.

Queen's Belfast's trigger warning for Twelfth Night centres on what it calls the 'depictions relating to sexuality or gender. Warnings for Richard III and Titus Andronicus relate to depictions of disability in the former and 'race and or racism' in the latter. A spokesperson for Queen's University Belfast declined to comment.

==

'[A priest] would hold out his crucifix throughout the performance, to protect the audience from the devilry conjured by the cast. I suppose these triggers are something similar.'

Very apt. It's magical thinking. Especially considering they've not only been shown to not work, they've been shown to make things worse.

Also: Spoiler, much?

[megpoff]

Module #3: Original Content Writing

Connection to 1 play theory and the WPA Outcomes Statement. What can play add to our understanding of writing?

The one theory I go back to is Sutton-Smith’s belief that rhetoric of play is a form of identity. This is so important to me as a learner. I say this because just as the author stated “play tradition is seen as a means of confirming, maintaining, or advancing power and identity of the community of players” (305). Writers have an identity because their words belong to them. They are able to in their own way, “confirm, maintain, or advance the power and identity to the community of readers” because they are able to relate to their audience, make the reader comfortable, and identify.

On the flip side of that is self. This is the “idealized attention to the desirable experiences of the player(s) - their fun, their relaxation, their escape” (305). Let’s be honest. What English major doesn’t have a “fun” book? We all have one! 😄

[globusinfocomlimited]

The Significance Of Role-Play Activities In Enhanced Speaking Skills

Speaking with confidence and fluency sets an individual apart from others in various aspects of life. Strong communication skills, whether in personal or professional settings, play a pivotal role in shaping one's success. While there are various ways to cultivate robust communication skills, certain techniques, such as engaging in role-play, stand out as accelerators in the learning process. As individuals learn a new language, engaging in regular role play activities gives them a unique opportunity to boost their confidence and fluency in speaking. This article explores the significance of role play in fostering enhanced speaking skills and how an advanced language learning software can complement this approach.

What’s role play?

It’s a speaking activity where you either take on someone else's perspective or imagine yourself in a fictional scenario. In the realm of language learning, role-play activities have emerged as a potent teaching technique, particularly for developing speaking skills in individuals.

Research on students and individuals learning a new language has revealed that engaging in role-play empowers them to articulate themselves using the newly acquired target language. This approach to language learning boosts one’s self-confidence, enabling them to overcome speaking inhibitions and, consequently, potentially contributes to the enhancement of one’s speaking skills. It is especially beneficial for those who struggle to express their views and opinions.

How A Language Learning Software Acts as A Catalyst

To achieve proficiency in speaking skills, language learning software has emerged as a valuable ally, especially for beginners. This innovative software introduces a self-directed speaking tool designed to empower beginners. Through a simulated environment, learners can listen, practice their speaking skills, record their efforts, and review them before presenting the final performance. Additionally, they can assess their performance and, moreover, teachers have the capability to review their recorded conversations and provide constructive feedback.

Apart from this, the basic speaking modules within language learning software encompass a diverse range of activities. For example, individuals learn English speaking and cultivate their skills through a variety of activities, encompassing everything from everyday greetings to scenario-based conversations and engaging games.

Advantages of Language Learning Software for Improving Speaking Skills

Boosts speaking confidence

Engaging in role- play encourages learners to step out of their comfort zones. With regular practice they can also enhance their listening comprehension skills, thereby building the confidence necessary for effective communication.

Practical application for real-life situations

Regularly practicing speaking through role-play activities using language learning software prepares you practically to apply your language skills in real-life situations. This not only enhances retention but also allows for the practical application of your speaking skills in real-life scenarios.

Enjoyable and interactive learning process

Learning to speak fluently can be boring, especially when you learn a new language. The process becomes truly enjoyable when you engage in role-play activities to stimulate your learning.

Conclusion

The significance of role-play activities in language learning, particularly in the development of speaking skills, cannot be overstated. Leveraging role-play activities offered by the advanced modules of language learning software proves to be a dynamic and effective strategy for the development of speaking skills. Empowering learners to express themselves confidently, these tools provide a foundation for effective communication. Whether you're a student aiming to excel in academics or a professional seeking to stand out in the crowd, incorporating this software solution into your language learning journey is an asset.

[odetojupiter]

this is absolutely random but I got caught up on your tag saying "I'm way too good at reading things that maybe aren't there" and listen. I don't know what you study (I remember you mentioning you take creative writing classes so??? sorry if you literally know this just trying to encourage you) but I study literature and in literary theory there's a lot of discussions about whether what the author wanted/meant/intended actually matters in interpretation and understanding literary works and well, a lot of theorists actually agree it doesn't so if you say it's there it's probably there, no matter if intentionally by the author, so ig please keep going off unapologetically we love to hear it

(also just in general, your analysis of the number three pretty much resonates a lot with Jacques Derrida's formal idea of deconstruction (basically tearing texts apart to the minute detail, and collecting and inter-connecting these details/words with associations of the reader to form a structure of meaning and it's all very abstract (a pain to learn during studies but cool to see in action!) so I just had to think about that)) yeah that's it have a great day

ahhh this is my first ever ask so thank u anon <333

and yeah, i did a joint honours english and creative writing degree (graduating in three weeks :/) and there were literary theory modules each year that were compulsory for single honours english students BUT because i was also in creative writing, i couldn’t actually take them bc they ran at the same time as my cw classes soooo all this to say that even tho i did study literature i wasn’t really able to study that much literary theory - tho of course theory is relevant in all lit modules but i didn’t take a class specifically for that. (i wanted to, cause i love that shit, but i wasn’t allowed) ((annoyingly in first year there was a module that covered not only advanced lit theory but also academic writing that i wasn’t able to take so i never learned how to write university essays? like that’s not inconvenient at all))

that being said, i’m of course familiar with the concept of intention vs interpretation mainly through barthes’ death of the author theory (and it comes up a lot in cw classes because in workshops people share every thought they have about your work and ur not allowed to defend urself!! cause ur intention doesn’t matter if someone interprets what you wrote a certain way!!!) and the thing is i get it, i do - and i love to analyse whatever i can, i tear things to shreds with no mind for intent - but i also know people outside of literary studies love to say shit just isn’t that deep.

im always watching and rewatching shows with one or two of my sisters and one of them especially makes fun of me a lot for analysing everything from the dialogue to delivery to lighting and staging and camera work because she thinks i get way too into it. she either stares at me blankly or tells me to shut up (which happens a lot it’s very annoying let me talk ffs) so i guess i mainly added that in the tags to ensure everyone knows that i know that i analyse a lot so hopefully no one feels the need to tell me?? i don’t know, i just get slightly self conscious about analysing things when i know i could be saying something slightly unhinged lmao.

but, i will of course, keep going off on here about aftg bc that’s what im here for lol (i got sad about not being able to share my thoughts anywhere)

oops forgot to say THANK YOU for reassuring me about my jean number 3 analysis i’m always thinking someone’s gonna say wtf r u on about mate 😭😭