Why do avid readers write better?

Question

And what kind of reading do you suggest that I do in order to write better essays?--Do you suggest reading fiction, sociological readings, etc?

Answer 1

Good story will do.

Answer 2

Avid readers write better than those who aren't avid readers because they are more exposed to good litereature and have discovered a novel. They constantly read books and different genres and with this they gain experience. If you had never read a novel in your life then it would be pretty hard to write a novel as you have never picked up a book and read it. How would you know the process of writing a novel? How would you know how a novel works? How do you create good characters? How would you make the story more believable? You need to explore.

If you want to write better essays then try reading some first and them annotate them. What has the writer put into the essay to make it what it is? Analysing the structure of an essay may help you understand how to write one.

Improve your vocabulary because this will make the essays you write better. Read anything you can. Buy a newspaper and read EVERY article. Practice makes perfect so write away!

Answer 3

Unless the reading is about how to write, I disagree.

I'm not an avid reader, but I'm a published writer.

If I spend too much time reading, I start kicking myself because I'm not writing.

Now, research is a different story, but there are so many ways to research. I prefer interviewing someone over reading a book on a topic.

If you want to write better essays, read essays and other non-fiction work, especially if you're looking to fit the typical journalistic style and mold.

Writing is all about communicating, so focus on learning the nuances of communication, vocabulary, and grammar.

You'll learn more by being in the game. Writing, getting feedback, and revising will make you a better writer than reading, or standing on the sidelines will.

Answer 4

Because writing is like any skill; the more you practice it, the better your abilities. For writing, reading is a way to practice.

Think of it this way: written English is in some ways almost as much a 'second language' to most people in the US (or anywhere, for that matter) as an actual second language such as French or German. Language teachers agree that after you've gotten the basics down in any language (which you should be being taught [or have been taught] at school) one of the best things you can do is to immerse yourself in the language. A way to do that is to visit a country where the language is spoken (and English is not) where you'll be forced to practice your new language. Reading accomplishes the same thing for written English.

Here's my suggestion on how to immerse yourself in written English.

1. Find a magazine on a subject you're already interested in or want to know more about. Your local library probably keeps at least some magazines, so that might be a place to start. When selecting, avoid publications that feature articles written in 'street talk'; slang, profanity and the like.

2. Subscribe to the magazine and read it every month, cover to cover. Keep a dictionary on hand and look up *any* word whose meaning you even suspect you don't quite understand. Use an encyclopedia, other reference books in your library, or the web to look up any concepts or background material on which you're not clear.

3. Once a month (or more), copy one article (by hand!). This will help you train your brain in the 'hows' (that is the conventions) of writing. If this training method was good enough for George Washington, it's good enough for you!

4. After a year, (or sooner) try to write your own article in the style used by the magazine. Read it out loud to see how well is measures up to the real articles.

Soon you'll find step four is easy, and that you've improved your writing skills. As a bonus, you'll have made yourself something of an expert in the subject featured in the magazine.

Answer 5

You should read, as others said, depending on what inspires you, what you like of other writer's styles. In my opinion, though, being an avid reader doesn't make you a better writer. It is a slippery slope where you begin to fall into conventions and insist upon doing things a certain way which is dependent on an audience.

You write to say something. If someone wants to hear it, great, if not, to hell with them. You can't write fiction with audience expectation in mind or else its genre fiction. Besides, you may as well write what you want to write because chances are you aren't going to live off your audience anyways. This is only a personal opinion, but I think it is important to be aware of your art's demands in order to be something great and be completely unaware of the audience.

Answer 6

Read anything that interests you. If you like fiction more than non-fiction, read the classics (any librarian or English teacher can give you a list of great books -- Twain, Stevenson, Steinbeck, Austen, etc.). If you prefere non-fiction, read biographies or history books. Check out Emerson and Thoreau.

Read with a notebook and a pen so that you can underline words you don't know. Then, look them up in the dictionary (or dictionary.com). This will help you to build your vocabulary and help you become a better writer.

Underline (or write down) passages that you especially like -- phrases, sentences and paragraphs. This will enable you to understand what makes a beautifully crafted work of literature.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Avid readers write better because of the extensive vocabulary to chose from. Any and everything you can get your hands on read, mostly I would recommend you stick to things that you can understand. Yes fiction would be a good thing to read. Just for your own benefit practice creative writing.

Answer 8

We avid readers write better because we are exposed to language more often than not.

The main thing is that you find what you read to be enjoyable. You'll be more likely to keep it up.

If, however, you want to read something to help improve your skills, I'd suggest, "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. My father got me a copy of this when I was 18 years old. I am 40 now, and still use it as a reference when I am composing anything written. Happy reading to you!

Answer 9

More experience with the written word, I guess.
When you see a lot of how other people write, It is easier to know how to do it yourself.
To write essays, one should have some knowledge of the subject, So I suggest that in addition to reading a lot, One should experience a lot. Get out and do some things. First hand knowledge is the most intimate, I think.

Answer 10

Avid readers write better because they are more widely exposed to the English language and its nuances.

You can read whatever you want - fiction, non-fiction...

Reading articles from magazines such as "Newsweek" and "U.S. News and World Report" will give you a good variety of essay-type writing.

Good luck.

Answer 11

Probably you should try to read as many different things as you can find. That way you will learn more words. At the same time you'll learn different styles of writing.

Some people are able to write in a way that allows you to understand all the facts. Some people are able to write so that you not only understand the facts, but are able to play a color movie (with your senses of smell, taste, and touch also engaged) in your head through his skill at painting with words.

Good luck in your journey.