Practice brevity \u2013 say what you mean in fewer words<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat does reading more and writing more actually look like? Here are my suggestions and rationale for adopting these practices:<\/span><\/p>\nWhy Reading Makes you a Better Writer<\/strong><\/h2>\nReading teaches you how to write without you even knowing it. When you take the time to read consistently, it helps you in the following ways.<\/p>\n
\n- It makes you a better speller<\/strong>. It just makes sense that the more often you see a word spelled correctly, the more likely you are to write it correctly.<\/li>\n
- It widens your vocabulary<\/strong>. Even if you come across a word you don\u2019t know, you can usually figure it out using \u201ccontext clues,\u201d or by how it is used in the sentence. The repetition of seeing these words improves your recognition and helps you remember its meaning.<\/li>\n
- It helps with sentence structure<\/strong>. Even if you can\u2019t recall grammar rules or how to label a sentence, by reading a lot, you\u2019ll know what \u201csounds right.\u201d<\/li>\n
- It teaches you how to tell a story<\/strong>. Especially true with fiction, a good book has more than just a beginning, middle and end. There are plot twists, character developments, dialogues and foreshadowing.\u00a0 Reading teaches you how get your readers\u2019 attention and keep them captivated until the very end.<\/li>\n
- It improves comprehension<\/strong>. You are better able to describe events in the order they happened.<\/li>\n
- It helps you identify the writing style you like<\/strong>. You\u2019ll learn different styles and voices and determine which one works best for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tips to Make Your Reading More Effective<\/strong><\/p>\nWhile we all have the best intentions, reading can sometimes take a back seat to putting out fires and dealing with other surprises that come up throughout the business day. Here are some tips to make reading a priority, and how to get the most out of it:<\/p>\n
\n- Make reading a habit<\/strong>. Set aside some time each day to read, even if it\u2019s only for 20 minutes when you first wake up or before you go to bed.<\/li>\n
- Always have it with you<\/strong>. This has become easier with cell phones, Kindles and tablets. If you find yourself waiting for something longer than you anticipate, you can make good use of your time by reading.<\/li>\n
- Experiment with variety<\/strong>. Read different types of writing by different authors on different subject matters. Read long works, short works and everything in between. Read books, magazines, blogs, poetry, classics, trade publications and literary magazines. Expand your horizons and read outside your comfort zone.<\/li>\n
- Concentrate on how it is written<\/strong>. Notice the sentence structure. Hear the voice and appreciate how it all may be different from the last book or article you read. Paying attention to the details helps you recognize and appreciate different writing styles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When you take the time to read, you will learn something new, be entertained and escape the real world for a while. You\u2019ll also become a better writer.<\/p>\n