Written by Shaundrie Jones
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7 Ways to Become a Better Reader and Writer
Reading is fundamental. Ha! See what I did there? That was cliche'. However, reading is extremely important. The more you read; the better you write. Reading not only entertains and informs you, but it expands your vocabulary and enhances your writing skills. The more you read; the better you read. The more you read; the better you will write. So READ...READ OFTEN! It is the MOST IMPORTANT STEP in becoming a better reader and writer! Check out the remaining strategies below!
Close ReadingPeople might be more impressed if you read fast, but the more effective strategy is reading close. Close reading is when the reader analyzes the text thoroughly. Savor (enjoy) the text. Don't rush your reading!
Don’t be afraid to:
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Argument BoxesArgument boxes encourage better reading skills in its writers. These rubrics ( a method of analyzing a topic) encourage you to break down an author’s arguments to find the thesis statement (the main point of story) and supporting ideas.
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Don't Be Cliche'Cliches can be overused statements or predictably of a story. Cliches are used over and over again by various authors. When using cliches, your paper can become boring and predictable. Try to avoid filling page after page with predictability. The only way to accomplish this is to put forth the effort to research what not to do.
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Read EverythingMany publications today include supplementary materials, like essays and author’s notes, along with the book itself. Don’t skip over them. They provide valuable context and insight (awareness) you might otherwise miss, even if you close read. In many cases it draws its inspiration from people and ideas you might not otherwise have known about. Giving the additional resources, it will only help you broaden your knowledge of and appreciation for a literary work.
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Read Out LoudThis strategy (method) gets your mind more harmonized (in sync) with the flow of words. When writing the rough draft, reading everything out loud makes for a particularly useful way to detect any awkward sentence structures, grammar or spelling errors. You might not realize their presence otherwise. This will prevent you from turning in a paper or posting a blog with mistakes.
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Be an EditorInspiring writers should edit written pieces by other people. This will allow them to gain some experience and improve their skills by assisting their peers with anything they need checked out. Spotting the mistakes in others' work trains your eye to recognize problems in your own works. Any editing experience makes scanning your own literary pieces for errors just that much easier.
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Paraphrased from this source: Lepi, Katie. " 7 Ways To Become A Better Reader And Writer." Edudemic.com. Edudemic, LLC., 24 Oct. 2012. Web. 2 <http://edudemic.com/2012/10/7-ways-to-become-a-better-reader-and-writer/>.