The Hidden Structure Behind Great Essays
3 rules for writing a thought-provoking personal essay
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"Robin's approach has fundamentally changed my relationship with books—shifting the focus from simply 'collecting' knowledge toward a true transformation through texts."
-Richard Shortland-Neal from Underhill Letters
"I was learning new insights to old ideas and fresh opinions that I might not have considered. I’ve even rediscovered my love of reading all thanks to you. I’m 68 and I’m glad that I can still learn. Thank you."
-Gloria
"You're a deep thinker who encourages me to think deeply. I think that so often we go through life without reflecting on the thread that goes between us and the world; you help me see those little weavings."
-Allison
"I love that you take the humanities seriously and want to use them to help fix what's wrong with the early 21st Century"
-Michael
"Reading your work and musings is like a breath of fresh air for me! I got a chance to study the humanities for a semester and it was the most memorable time for me in uni.
-Aumi
"I am in my twenties now, and switching to Literary Studies. Finally following my dreams. I will take your writings with me on my journey. Thank you."
-Denzel
"I am a lifelong learner, and I want to make a living from my writing, speaking, podcasting and my art. I really love your filming and writing style as well as the way you curate your work. God bless and go well."
-Richard
"I'm a soon-to-be junior in high school. When I first discovered philosophy, academia, and literature, I felt awfully alone. Isolated, even. My first encounter with your channel was my curiosity about dark academia and what the hype was about. Needless to say, I feel deeply intimate with your writing, and your thoughts."
-Timothy
"I'm a 19-year-old that have been watching your channel casually for a few years now, but I guess lately I've been finding myself at a turning point to be more intentional with my life and my time, and your work is really informative to that."
-Anna
"I used to carve through your videos some years ago. I cannot express enough how your ideas and aesthetic have guided my philosophical and literary journeys. I can say, with total confidence, that you are the reason I have endeavoured, and in some senses prospered, at becoming a well-read creative intellectual."
-Ibra
"You continually inspire and motivate me to continue learning as a lifelong passion. You remind me why books matter and reading saves lives. Thank you "
-Victoria
Your Starter Pack
Session 6: The Principles of Captivating Writing
The foundations of writing that you've never learned in school
Deep Reading Pt. 1: The Reading System Nobody Taught You At School
A series on the most effective reading framework of the last 100 years
How To Write a Paragraph That Doesn't Suck
Happy Saturday! Today, we'll revisit one of my favourite posts from 2024 that turned out to be a
Plain English Pt. 1: How To Write A Clean Sentence
A grammar guide for people who hate grammar.
Latest Letters
Sep 07
How To Tell Good Advice From Bad Ones
The 3 signs that an advice is worth your time
5 min read
Sep 02
![[1-2-Read] Protocols For Rescuing Your Attention pt. 1: Willpower Isn't Enough](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/bc/4cbc0360-11e9-4e97-9d5b-641fbd8fb570/content/images/size/w400/2025/08/-1-2-Read-.jpg)
[1-2-Read] Protocols For Rescuing Your Attention pt. 1: Willpower Isn't Enough
A comprehensive guide to reclaim your attention from tech companies and start doing what you love.
10 min read
Aug 31
What Makes A Book 'Life-Changing'?
Because not every book is worth your time.
4 min read
Aug 24
My Rituals For Writing + Life
How to be prolific while staying sane.
8 min read
Aug 19
![[1-2-Read] Pick Up The Book That Scares You The Most](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/bc/4cbc0360-11e9-4e97-9d5b-641fbd8fb570/content/images/size/w400/2025/08/---Pick-Up---.jpg)
[1-2-Read] Pick Up The Book That Scares You The Most
Exploring Negative Capability
6 min read
Aug 17
We Are Starving For Stories In Our Lives
How to stop time and memories from slipping through the cracks
4 min read
Aug 10
Your TBR Is Holding You Hostage
Don't feel guilty about abandoning it
3 min read
Aug 05
![[1-2-Read] Speed-Reading Is BS. Here's What Actually Works](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/bc/4cbc0360-11e9-4e97-9d5b-641fbd8fb570/content/images/size/w400/2025/08/Speed-Readin.jpg)
[1-2-Read] Speed-Reading Is BS. Here's What Actually Works
How experienced readers can read so much, so fast.
7 min read
Aug 03
A Weird Meditation Habit That Changed How I Read
How I battle distractions when I'm head-deep in a book.
5 min read
Jul 27
The Curse of the Well-Read Mind
When knowing too much holds you back
7 min read
Jul 22
![[1-2-Read] Why Your Thoughts Don’t Sound as Good on Paper](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/bc/4cbc0360-11e9-4e97-9d5b-641fbd8fb570/content/images/size/w400/2025/07/put-thoughts-in-writing.jpg)
[1-2-Read] Why Your Thoughts Don’t Sound as Good on Paper
and 5 writing exercises to fix it
9 min read
Jul 20
The Question That Keeps Me Up At Night
Seriously, what is the point of reading books?
6 min read