Read More, Write Better.

How can I improve my writing? This is a question that students pose frequently. My advice to them has always been – read more. In the case of my Spanish students, the advice has been to read more Spanish. However, this advice works across languages. How does reading help us to become better writers?

Reading aids in expanding vocabulary. As we read, we see words, not in isolation, but in context. This helps us to better understand the meanings of these words. As we internalize the vocabulary and its meaning, we learn new ways of expressing ourselves as we strive to use these words correctly in our own oral and written communication.

In addition to improving our vocabulary, we unconsciously absorb structure, pacing, transitions, dialogue rhythm, rhetorical strategies, and narrative arc. Careful reading also helps us to improve our punctuation. For instance, we see how to introduce direct speech within a sentence, which nouns we should capitalize, and so on.

In each module of an editing course I took, we were encouraged to write down at least one good sentence we had encountered in our reading that week. This exercise forced me to read more carefully. As I read, I thought about what I was reading and reflected on why particular sentences stood out. This example highlights the importance of not simply reading to complete a certain number of pages, but reading carefully, paying attention to what we read in order to benefit fully from the material. As you read more you will definitely write better.

So, how do you plan to improve your writing? What are you reading this week? What do you plan to read in the coming weeks? Enjoy your reading, improve your writing, and be sure to check back soon for more tips.