Photo Credit: Summit Entertainment/Andrew Cooper

Vampires have been a PERENNIAL (enduring year after year) favorite movie subject for decades, but they have achieved UNPRECEDENTED (without previous example) popularity over the past few years through the LUCRATIVE (very profitable) Twilight SAGA (long narrative story). Twilight tells the story of an UNGAINLY (awkward) teenager, Bella Swan, who falls in love with Edward Cullen, a 107-year-old vampire living CLANDESTINELY (covertly) among humans. Their relationship poses many dangers to Bella, and they are BELEAGUERED (surrounded with problems) by MYRIAD (numerous) difficulties and foes, including MALEVOLENT (wishing evil on others) werewolves, VINDICTIVE (vengeful) vampires, and the OMINOUS (menacing) and powerful Volturi. The romance and adventure of Bella and Edward’s UNCONVENTIONAL (unusual) love story have earned the series legions of fans from all segments of the population, TRANSCENDING (surpassing the limits of) its young adult DEMOGRAPHIC (segment of the population).

Adapting the FLORID (flowery in style) language of the novels into a SCINTILLATING (sparkling, brilliant) movie series was a challenge, but the resulting Twilight films have delighted their devoted fan base, who  have responded EFFUSIVELY (gushing, expressing unrestrained emotion) to the film adaptations of the VENERATED (greatly respected) books. Despite the critics’ largely TEPID (lukewarm) response to the movies, the Twilight series has been a JUGGERNAUT (irresistible force that crushes everything in its path) at the box office, launching the careers of its stars, among them Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner. The FERVENT (enthusiastic) interest of Twilight’s fan base doesn’t appear to be FLAGGING (weakening); recently, over 1500 Twihards camped outside the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles at the Breaking Dawn – Part II premiere, in hopes of catching a glimpse of the REVERED (adored, admired) stars. As fans eagerly anticipate seeing Bella join the supernatural world as a NEOPHYTE (beginner) vampire, they will surely also be NOSTALGIC (longing for something past) and WISTFUL (yearning, somewhat melancholy) as the beloved series comes to an end.

If you’d like to learn more SAT words paired with memorable examples from movies, TV, literature, and other relevant sources, get the Direct Hits vocabulary books now!

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Social media has become UBIQUITOUS (omnipresent) in our culture. With Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more, we’re sharing a lot of information online. In case you’re OBLIVIOUS (unaware), your online image matters, especially when it comes to applying for colleges, scholarships, and jobs. How you present yourself online can be a BOON (benefit) or BANE (source of harm) for you, as more and more college admissions officers and prospective employers use Facebook and other sites to research applicants. A negative online image could COMPROMISE (jeopardize) your college applications or job opportunities. Let us help you ELEVATE (move to a higher place) your social media presence as you prepare for college and beyond.

First, we IMPLORE (urge) you to clean up your social media accounts including usernames and handles. Timeline is becoming a PREVALENT (widespread) Facebook feature, making it easy to look through photos and posts from long ago. While Timeline is a great feature when you’re feeling NOSTALGIC (longing for the past) and want to relive old memories, it can be DELETERIOUS (injurious) to college applications. While a simple Facebook post seems EPHEMERAL (lasting for a short time), it remains online, and now, with Timeline, admissions officers and future employers can easily access old photos and Facebook statuses you wrote years ago. Would you be CHAGRINED (feeling distressed because of embarrassment) if an admissions officer saw some of the posts or photos on your Facebook profile? Take time to EXCISE (delete) any inappropriate content that you’ve posted on your social media accounts over the years.

EXPUNGE (delete) any PROVOCATIVE (causing controversy) photos and untag yourself from any of your friends’ photos that look potentially problematic. Remove any photos or posts that show you being COMPLICIT (associated or participating in a wrongful act) in any SOPHOMORIC (exhibiting great immaturity and lack of judgment) or illegal activity. Review your Facebook wall and Twitter feed and EXPUNGE (remove) posts that are discriminatory, DISPARAGING (disrespectful), or CRASS (vulgar).

The next step in your social media makeover is to privatize your information. Change your Privacy Settings on Facebook so that only your friends can see your full profile and the content you’ve posted. Choose an interesting profile picture and cover photo that creates a positive impression since admissions officers will be able to see these, even if they can’t read your Facebook posts. Social media is a BOON because it can show your passions and personalities, so use your “About” section on your Facebook profile to add to your positive online image. In your profile, ENUMERATE (list) your MYRIAD (numerous) interests and pick quotes that describe you. Establish a new REGIMEN (system) for posting online. Be PRUDENT (careful) with what you post online, and ESCHEW (avoid) posting things that reflect poorly on you. Use good grammar and spelling and ABSTAIN (refrain) from using profanity. Use social media in a way that ENHANCES (improve) your online image and perhaps even your college applications.

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Image Courtesy of Éktor on Flickr

As you enjoy the IDYLLIC (simple and carefree) days of summer, you may be feeling NONCHALANT (coolly unconcerned) about the IMPENDING (imminent) senior year, but the HIATUS (break) from schoolwork is almost over. When you add college applications to a schedule already filled with the MYRIAD (many) commitments to AP classes, extracurriculars, and SATs, you’re facing an EXCEEDINGLY (exceptionally) busy fall semester.  But by starting on your college applications during the summer, you can FORESTALL (prevent) some of the typical senior stress.

We EXHORT (strongly urge) you to print out the 2012-2013 Common Application and start filling it out. ACCUMULATING (gathering) all of the necessary biographical information now will be a major BOON (benefit) for you this fall when you’re scrambling to submit your college applications. PERUSE (examine) the Common Application essay topics. The college essay is your opportunity to DEMONSTRATE (show) who you are beyond your test scores, GPA, and resume.  RUMINATE (ponder, muse) about meaningful or interesting events in your recent life.  A small encounter described vividly will usually result in a more focused and effective essay than a long, DIFFUSE (scattered, dispersed, discursive) story.  Steer clear of travelogues!  As with any writing, specific details can make the difference between a MUNDANE (ordinary) and a SCINTILLATING (sparkling, brilliantly clever) essay. RUMINATE (ponder, muse) on possible topics and begin your first draft. ESCHEWING (avoiding) the PEDESTRIAN (commonplace, unoriginal) and instead crafting a compelling essay will showcase your personality and interests to admissions officers. By starting early, you will have time for your ideas to CRYSTALLIZE (to assume definite form), as well as time for several drafts that can CULMINATE (come to completion, reach a point of highest development) in an IMPECCABLE (flawless, perfect) final essay.

Getting organized is INDISPUTABLY (undeniably) a way to MITIGATE (relieve, ease) your senior stress. Make a list of colleges to which you’re considering applying and find out online their admissions requirements and deadlines. Make a METICULOUS (very exacting) checklist of admissions requirements for all your colleges. It would also be PRUDENT (sensible) to write down on a calendar all application and scholarship deadlines, dates for open houses, and SAT and ACT test dates.  If your schools PRESCRIBE (require) supplements to the Common Application, download those forms and start working on those essays and short answer questions.

If you’re planning to take the October SAT, register online now. New security measures have been implemented by both the SAT and the ACT to keep in CHECK (to halt or restrain) the CHICANERY (deliberate trickery) that came to light last year.  Students will now be required to upload a photo of themselves when registering for these exams. The photos will appear on the students’ admission tickets and on the test site rosters available to proctors. Then the photos will be attached to any score reports sent to high schools and colleges.

Begin now— since you will have a DEARTH (shortage) of spare time once school starts.  Register for SAT prep classes and plan a study schedule for the upcoming months. To start improving your SAT scores, get the Direct Hits vocabulary books now!

Students, it’s here — the last test of this school year, the June SAT! But don’t let TREPIDATION (fear) STYMIE (thwart) you.  If you’re DISQUIETED (worried) about how you should be spending the last few days before the test, fear not! Direct Hits is here to PLACATE (calm) your ANGUISH (torment) with this helpful and ENLIGHTENING (informative) advice.

Of course, it is important that you study these last few days. This is your last chance to review, so you need to spend your time wisely. We EXHORT (encourage) you to review your most challenging vocabulary words.  Review your favorite literary works and historical figures in case they might be useful examples in writing the essay.  You want to be able to produce a SCINTILLATING (sparkling) two-page essay rather than a PEDESTRIAN (ordinary) one.  Maybe rework those PERPLEXING (confusing) math problems that always CONFOUND (puzzle) you.  If you’re already successful on one part of the SAT, spend more time reviewing your weaker areas.

However, we ADMONISH (warn) you not to cram for the SAT.  PARADOXICALLY (in a contradictory but true way), cramming can in fact have a NOXIOUS (harmful) effect.  Last minute cramming can EXACERBATE (make worse) your stress. Rather than frantically trying to review everything all at once, pick a couple of things to review each day.

To be an ADEPT (very skillful) test-taker, you also need time to rest and relax.  Study breaks will keep your focus and energy from FLAGGING (becoming weak) and your reviewing from becoming PERFUNCTORY (spiritless and mechanical).  Exercise can help you clear your head and de-stress, so it would be PRUDENT (sensible) to take a HIATUS (break) from your work. After exercising, you will return to your studying with greater FERVOR (enthusiasm) and better focus. Additionally, it is IMPERATIVE (absolutely necessary) that you get enough sleep.  If you sleep well throughout the week, you’ll have the stamina to survive the nearly five-hour test.

On the day before the test, if you have a PREDILECTION (strong inclination) for study, CHECK (restrain) yourself and only study a little bit.  Instead, focus on getting ready for the day before the test. Make sure you know where your test center is, how long it takes to get there and where you need to park if you are driving yourself. Pack your bag of test-day essentials. You’ll need your SAT admission ticket, a photo ID, several sharpened No. 2 pencils (mechanical pencils are not allowed) with good erasers (you will use up at least one pencil writing the essay). Also take your calculator, a watch so that you can keep up with time on each section (it cannot make any noise), a snack with protein and water or Gatorade for the breaks. It would be DELETERIOUS (injurious) to your math score if your calculator died during the test, so make sure you start with fresh batteries and have back-up batteries with you just in case you need them. Eat a good dinner, relax, and go to bed early.

On test day, wake up early and eat a solid breakfast.  Eggs are supposedly good for the memory!  Make sure that you leave plenty of time to get checked in at the test center and that you take your bag of SAT essentials with you. By being well prepared, you can face the SAT with FORTITUDE (strength of mind), TENACITY (persistence, toughness), APLOMB (self-assurance), and EQUANIMITY (composure, poise).  Good Luck!

Image Credit: Murray Close

We’re only a week away from the release of the highly-anticipated film adaptation of the YA cult book The Hunger Games, and already the movie is promising to be a box office JUGGERNAUT (irresistible force that crushes everything in its path). LEGIONS (great multitude) of fans eagerly await the opportunity to see Katniss, Peeta, and Gale come alive on the screen.

The Hunger Games takes place in Panem, a futuristic DYSTOPIA (a place where everything is bad) nation that contains 12 districts ruled by the AUTHORITATIVE (commanding) and DESPOTIC (oppressive, tyrannical) President Snow, who controls Panem from the Capitol. In Panem there is great DISPARITY (inequality) between the OPULENT (rich), SUPERFICIAL (shallow), and spoiled Capitol and the outlying and PROVINCIAL (limited in perspective) districts, which are enslaved by the Capitol’s DRACONIAN (characterized by very strict laws and punishments) control, lacking AUTONOMY (independence, self-government) and suffering from PENURY (poverty) and PERVASIVE (widespread) starvation. Each year, the Capitol PRESCRIBES (requires) that each district send two teenagers, called “tributes,” to compete in the Hunger Games, an annual GLADIATORIAL (pertaining to gladiators and their combat) battle to the death.

When her younger sister is selected to participate in the 74^th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen AUDACIOUSLY (boldly) volunteers to take her place as the tribute for District 12. This ALTRUISTIC (unselfish concern for the welfare of others) action demonstrates her TENACITY (great determination in holding on to something that is valued) and courage: Katniss is determined to protect her family and friends at all costs, a RESOLVE (determination) that will affect her success in the Games. As a child in the most DESTITUTE (very poor) district in Panem, she learned VITAL (essential) survival skills. To ensure that her family wouldn’t starve, she learned to identify edible INDIGENOUS (native to an area) plants, and her CLANDESTINE (covert) hunting trips helped her become ADEPT (very skilled) at WIELDING (effectively using) a bow and arrow. These lessons were INDISPENSABLE (absolutely necessary) in her becoming a FORMIDABLE (strong) Hunger Games competitor.

During the Hunger Games, the INTREPID (courageous) Katniss must NEGOTIATE (travel successfully through a terrain) her way through the dangerous arena, a dense forest full of traps and the other BELLICOSE (eager to fight) and bloodthirsty tributes. She must also CONTEND (struggle) with her AMBIVALENT (mixed) feelings toward Peeta, the other competitor from District 12. Katniss’s desire to win in order to care for her family INDUCES (causes) her to face the Games with FORTITUDE (strength of mind that allows her to endure pain). We don’t want to spoil the plot, but just know that the UNPRECEDENTED (without previous example) events of the 74^th Hunger Games ultimately constitute a WATERSHED (critical point that marks a change of course) for the nation of Panem.

If you’d like to learn more SAT words paired with memorable examples from movies, TV, literature, and other relevant sources, get the Direct Hits vocabulary books now! http://bit.ly/AdwzbT

The latest suicide by a victim of bullying ATTESTS (bears witness, certifies) that this is a problem that will not be MITIGATED (lessened) without some significant changes in our attitudes and actions.  The recent flurry of media commentary (from The New York Times to Lady Gaga) addresses the issue of bullying, cyber- or otherwise.

It is well known that for many young people, the fear of OSTRACISM (deliberate exclusion from a group) may lead them, with no CONTRITION (compunctions, pangs of conscience), to behavior that ranges from SUBTLE (difficult to detect) to CAUSTIC (critical, burning, corroding) to threatening to OVERTLY (openly) violent, behavior that DENIGRATES (disparages, belittles) those who are different from themselves.  The victims, trying to appear unaffected by IMPERIOUS (domineering, arrogant) or cruel treatment, may CAPITULATE (surrender, comply without protest) too COMPLAISANTLY (desiring to please, obliging) and SUBSERVIENTLY (in a servile manner).  It is easy to say that the victims of HARASSMENT (tormenting) or COERCION (control by force, threats, or pressure) should show FORTITUDE (strength in the face of adversity) and STOICISM (indifference to pain) and just turn away.  But that approach does not deal with the INSTIGATORS (those who incite or foment something bad) of the pain.

Danah Boyd and Alice Marwick, the authors of the Times article, “Bullying as True Drama” (9/23/11),  POSTULATE (claim) that teens want to ASSERT (declare) their independence, to be in control of their lives.  To be labeled as either a victim or a bully is to surrender that control to an undesirable stereotype.  Consequently, most teens will say there is no bullying at their schools; there is only drama.  For the bullies, this term reduces the behavior to something INNOCUOUS (harmless) or even funny; for the bullied, the term helps them feel superior to those they DEEM (regard as) desperate for attention.  The term drama seems to be a protective and distancing mechanism for both sides, neither of whom can afford to own up to the truth.  But, say the authors, “To recognize oneself as a victim–or PERPETRATOR (one who commits a crime or something bad)–requires serious emotional, psychological and social support, an INFRASTRUCTURE (the basic, underlying framework or features of a system) unavailable to many teenagers.” They call upon adults to be more COGNIZANT (aware) of and responsive to the ANGUISH (agonizing pain, torment) of BELEAGUERED (beset, surrounded by an enemy) students.  The adults who say that most bullying is too SURREPTITIOUS (secret, covert) and STEALTHY (furtive) to be detected must become more PERSPICACIOUS (observant, perceptive). They must help students to move from helplessness to true empowerment. They must model the behavior they value and MENTOR (advise, counsel) young people to do the same.

But is expecting adults to solve the problem the only way?  If young people ABNEGATE (renounce, deny to themselves) their responsibilities in a culture of HARASSMENT (tormenting), aren’t they TACITLY (silently, without speaking) admitting to the very helplessness and immaturity that they are REPUDIATING (disavowing, disowning)?  We must stop pretending that our intentions define the morality of our acts.  An act that causes negative SEQUELAE (effects, results), no matter the intent, is an immoral act.  Therefore, before a culture of disregard for the feelings of others becomes ENDEMIC (native to a place, as a disease) to our society, all of us must work to develop EMPATHY (entering into the feelings of another person) toward others.  Let’s all end the “drama”!

The new school year has begun.  The summer HIATUS (break) is over, and you should be feeling REJUVENATED (reinvigorated) after the long weeks of IDYLLIC (simple and carefree) days. But it is normal to feel AMBIVALENT (having mixed feelings) about returning to the classroom.  You may be feeling a bit DISCOMFITED (uneasy) about your new courses. You may have heard tales of CALLOUS (insensitive), CHURLISH (ill-tempered), TEDIOUS (boring), SOPORIFIC (sleep-inducing), HISTRIONIC (excessively dramatic), or even MALODOROUS (foul-smelling) teachers.

Actually, teachers are human too.  They are excited about EDIFYING (instructing) you about their chosen fields.  They are not trying to OBFUSCATE (deliberately obscure) the material or FLUMMOX (confuse) you or present you with impossible ARDUOUS (difficult) tasks.  They want to ENLIGHTEN (instruct) you so that you will feel SANGUINE (confident and optimistic) about your future success.  Then they will have succeeded as well.  No one wants the year to turn into a DEBACLE (fiasco, disaster).

So, instead of approaching school with PETULANCE (impatient irritation), RECALCITRANCE (obstinate resistance to authority), VITUPERATION (verbal abuse), or APATHY (lack of interest), meet the demands with ÉLAN (enthusiasm) and VERVE (vigor and energy), UNDAUNTED (undismayed) by the tasks ahead.  Avoid being DILATORY (habitually procrastinating) or merely PERFUNCTORY (mechanical, routine) in the execution of your work.  Cultivate INSATIABLE (unquenchable) curiosity.  Such an approach will MITIGATE (lessen) your stress and AMELIORATE (make better) the circumstances rather than EXACERBATE (make worse) them.  A PENCHANT (inclination) for a positive outlook can help to remove the CACAPHONOUS (discordant) notes of negativity from your life.  That’s the best PANACEA (cure-all) for the back-to-school blues.

Unless you are completely OBLIVIOUS (unaware) of Internet news, you will have heard of Google+, Google’s social networking tool that is promising to be the most INNOVATIVE (using new methods and ideas) method for connecting online.

Google+, or G+ as many refer to it, is still in the beta testing stage, and many Google fans are INDIGNANT (outraged at something perceived as unjust) that they have not yet been able to access the application. At this time it is accessible by invitation-only, so some fans are reacting PETULANTLY (peevishly,irascibly) at not having been invited.

You may be wondering if G+ can COMPROMISE (place at risk) Facebook’s following. Only time will tell, but right now its highly sought-after invitations are causing a FUROR (uproar) on the Internet. Everyone wants to know more about the SCINTILLATING (brilliantly clever) new social networking tool and people everywhere are attempting to CAJOLE (coax) those who currently have access into getting them invitations.

Recently my inbox MAGNANIMOUSLY (generously) yielded the BOON (benefit) of an invitation. I am CIRCUMSPECTLY (looking cautiously) examining G+,  SKEPTICAL (doubtful) that it will be an UNPRECEDENTED (without previous example) application, but I have to admit that there are some pretty inventive features. It’s more than an AMALGAM (mixture) of Facebook and Twitter. It seems that G+ will be a BURGEONING (rapidly growing and expanding) force to be reckoned with.

G+ has Circles rather than Groups, which makes who you are sharing information with less AMBIGUOUS (unclear). You may simply categorize people into Circles and indicate with which Circle you wish to share each post. Other features include Huddle, which allows group chat, and Hangout, for group video chats. The most recent additions to G+ are games. This is an AUDACIOUS (very bold) attack on one of Facebook’s most popular features.

What will Facebook do to THWART (stop, prevent) G+’s stealing its users? How RESILIENT (coming back from adversity or challenge) will Facebook be? I doubt that they will CAPITULATE (surrender) without a fight.  I’m not CLAIRVOYANT (someone who sees the future), but my guess is that this is going to become a very ACRIMONIOUS (bitter) battle. Stay tuned to see how TRUCULENTLY (fiercely, vitriolically) this battle between social networks evolves.

VS.

I have long been a PROPONENT (champion of a cause) of reading a book before seeing its movie. Filmmakers are faced with the CONUNDRUM (dilemma) of boiling down complex plots and subplots laced with multiple characters, conflicts, and themes into a two-hour package. It is hard to decide what can be EXCISED (cut out, deleted) without losing the essentials of a work. Fans with ARCANE (obscure) encyclopedic knowledge of the Harry Potter books may have noticed a number of discrepancies between the book version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and the film version. Let’s take a look at a few…

As Hermione enters Gringott’s to access Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault, Hermione is DUPLICITOUS (deceptive) when she uses Polyjuice potion to appear as Bellatrix.  In the movie, Hermione convinces everyone by adopting the IMPERIOUS (domineering and arrogant) Bellatrix’s mannerisms more quickly and EXCORIATING (expressing strong disapproval) the gnomes for delaying her entrance, causing less suspicion and allowing faster access to the vault. In addition, the items in the vault are not CAUSTIC (corrosive, burning) as they were in the book, making their escape somewhat easier.

In one of the film’s EPIC (grand, elevated, majestic) scenes, Professor McGonnagall steps forward in the Great Hall to protect Harry against the BELLICOSE (hostile, warlike) Snape. This scene is not in the book at all. The eventual duel between McGonnagall and Snape in the movie does, in the book, actually not happen at all. There is a scene in which McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick duel Snape in the Ravenclaw common room where Luna is showing Harry what the Diadem of Ravenclaw looks like.

Harry’s discovery of the importance Diadem of Ravenclaw as a horcrux is quite different. It is, in fact, Nearly Headless Nick who ELUCIDATES (makes clear or plain) for Harry the importance of the Gray Lady. There are other differences in these scenes, but the omission of Nick, the resident ghost of Gryffindor tower, is disappointing to MYRIAD (many) fans. In fact, Nearly Headless Nick has not been seen in the movies since the very beginning.

Perhaps the most notable missing scene, one that would provoke a VISCERAL (instinctive rather than rational) reaction, is the death of Fred Weasley. In the book, we witness a JOVIAL (cheerful) conversation between Fred and his brother Percy about Percy switching sides and fighting against the ministry of magic. During this exchange,Fred meets his sudden DEMISE (death) as an explosion blows away a side of the castle. The death is witnessed by Harry, Ron, and Hermioine, as well as Percy.(In the film, we learn of Fred’s death only after the battle, in a POIGNANT (touching) scene, as his body is surrounded by his DESPONDENT (forlorn) family.

There are many more DISPARITIES (differences, variances) between the book and the movie, some SUBTLE (difficult to detect) and some obvious. No doubt, Potter fans will discuss the differences between the book and the movie as we look back NOSTALGICALLY (sentimentally longing for the past) on our days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.