It's official. Around here, Wednesdays aren't just Wednesdays any more. They're Words Days.
My Wednesday posts are now devoted to all things wordy - grammar, etymology, writing, the works.
If it involves language, I'll be talking about it here.
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My Wednesday posts are now devoted to all things wordy - grammar, etymology, writing, the works.
If it involves language, I'll be talking about it here.
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WRITING TIP #2: SAY IT OUT LOUD
They say that one way to become a better writer is to read a lot. I like to take that one step further and say that one way to become a better writer is to read out loud a lot. I recommend reading everything out loud - not just your own writing, but also whatever you happen to be reading - books, newspapers, blog posts, poetry, magazines.
I don't suggest reading out loud in public, however, unless you are okay with strangers staring at you. But in the comfort of your own home, I say go for it. I do it all the time and my cat thinks I'm only mildly crazy.
Reading your own writing out loud helps you identify trouble spots where the words don't flow as they should, and allows you to get a sense of what your readers will be hearing when they first read your words. Reading other people's writing out loud provides an extra layer of comprehension and helps you to commit what you're reading to memory.
They say that one way to become a better writer is to read a lot. I like to take that one step further and say that one way to become a better writer is to read out loud a lot. I recommend reading everything out loud - not just your own writing, but also whatever you happen to be reading - books, newspapers, blog posts, poetry, magazines.
I don't suggest reading out loud in public, however, unless you are okay with strangers staring at you. But in the comfort of your own home, I say go for it. I do it all the time and my cat thinks I'm only mildly crazy.
Reading your own writing out loud helps you identify trouble spots where the words don't flow as they should, and allows you to get a sense of what your readers will be hearing when they first read your words. Reading other people's writing out loud provides an extra layer of comprehension and helps you to commit what you're reading to memory.
Listen to other people reading whenever you can, too. Attend poetry readings and book signings, and listen to podcasts and radio programs. (For a laugh, I recommend CBC's Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids. ) The more you hear of other people's writing, the better you will understand different aspects of your own writing - listen to the style they employ and the words they choose, and pay attention to the structure and the flow.
It has been proven that reading aloud to children is beneficial for their development, and I say why stop there. I think people of all ages should read to one another. Teachers should read to their students, and bosses should read to their employees. Maybe the divorce rate wouldn't be so high if spouses took the time to read to one another. Okay, maybe that's pushing it, but you get my idea, right? Reading is one of the great joys in life, and sharing it with others only makes it better.
It has been proven that reading aloud to children is beneficial for their development, and I say why stop there. I think people of all ages should read to one another. Teachers should read to their students, and bosses should read to their employees. Maybe the divorce rate wouldn't be so high if spouses took the time to read to one another. Okay, maybe that's pushing it, but you get my idea, right? Reading is one of the great joys in life, and sharing it with others only makes it better.