Becoming a WordSmith

Truth must be searched, loved and professed by all men; nor must any mens authority, old or new, hold us from it. The Invention of Science

Mr. Wallake called the selfie “vulnerable”; to many others, it seemed callous to highlight his own feelings when his employees were suffering. New York Times (Nov 10, 2022)

“A brief summary and succinct explanation, the theoretical ideal, if you will, behind the project topic.” Liar, Liar

The ongoing hypoxia, coupled with my profound fatigue, exacerbated the sense of chaos and despair. Into Thin Air

He spent the whole evening absorbed in thought, ruminating on the story of the fox and the hens, and perhaps that was the night the boy began to become a man. The House of the Spirits: A Novel

Priority disputes are an infallible indicator that knowledge has become public, progressive and discovery oriented. The Invention of Science

Ernest comforted Mollie, whispering, “Lie still,” as the perpetrator roared away in the stolen vehicle. Killers of the Flower Moon

“Well”—he looks at me—“you’re not quite old enough for geriatric psychiatric.” It’s Kind of a Funny Story

He showed his business acumen by selling the compasses relatively cheaply and charging a healthy tuition fee to anyone who wanted to know how to use it. The Scientists

He was ravenous, but he couldn’t let her go hungry. Gregor the Overlander

The sun has about five billion years of fuel left, but don’t let that make you complacent. Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

Now that they were in the same room, Cora was compelled to rectify her months of silence. The Underground Railroad: A Novel

It was a treacherous descent and Dumbledore, hampered slightly by his withered hand, moved slowly. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

He argues that modern war is becoming obsolete, leaving primitive, undisciplined warfare as the major kind of war remaining in the world today. The Sense of Style

At the front of the hall, Professor Ghering holds his hands up for attention, a benevolent smile on his face. Dread Nation

Like every facet of my life would finally shape up and become clear. From Twinkle, with Love

Still, such a ruling could usher in similar laws in other states, and it is technically complicated to accurately restrict access to a website based on location. New York Times (Feb 25, 2024)

This was the reality, and one could deal with it in a myriad of ways. Long Walk to Freedom

Knowing that Cluny was smarter than either of them, she wished she didn’t have this big dumb rat to corroborate the story. Redwall

For when I look back over his career, I can see with hindsight that he must have striven throughout his years somehow to become that butler of his story. The Remains of the Day

One of the most pernicious examples of this is the Population Registration Act, which defined that inequality. Long Walk to Freedom

And they don’t give you new lungs when you have an antibiotic-resistant bacteria running rampant inside of you. Five Feet Apart

It is the culmination of every eye that has witnessed my life and passed judgment. Challenger Deep

I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did. Long Walk to Freedom

The squares on the board in front of me are filling up: I’m making my penultimate play of the night. The Handmaid's Tale

I did not understand these scenes of strife. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party

She strived to maintain a link with outside reform work to avoid being “wholly absorbed in a narrow family selfishness.” Votes for Women!

Isn’t that prominence just an ephemeral phenomenon of the last few centuries, now fading behind the prominence of Japan and Southeast Asia? Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies

It’s a comment that speaks volumes about both a cultural moment and its transience. The Guardian (Oct 13, 2016)

Is not he," they cried, "a man like ourselves, who wishes to domineer over us? Nicholson, Reynold

We were clearly the front-runners to win the award, but the center was in a precarious position—how would we get the Freedom Writers to New York? The Freedom Writers Diary