Some writers claim they hate reading. Some readers claim to despise writing. This is ironic considering it only makes sense that good readers make good writers. Of course, whenever we get new assignments we have to read for content. If we have to write a persuasive paper about Obama's presidency, we would research his term. If we have to write about how social networks affect relationships, we would research statistics about Facebook and Twitter. But what most writers over look is the significance of reading for form. Mr. Clark accurately exemplifies that importance: "If you want to write better photo captions, read old issues of LIFE magazine. If you want to become a better explainer, read a good cookbook. If you want to write a screenplay about a superhero, read stacks of comic books."
To become a smarter writer, you should continue to learn by reading the work you admire or strive to mimic. That way, you can see "how it works". In Advanced Composition the tutors got to practice this idea by mimicking the writing style of an author of our choice. But what writers don’t realize is that as they read, they subconsciously pick up on the writing style and technique of the authors of the material they are reading. They also take into consideration the form and structure of the piece. Mr. Clark believes that contrary to popular habit, “when you find you can’t put a story down, you should put the story down. Put it down and think about how it works.” This may seem tedious when you’re anxious to knock out your writing assignment but to be a better writer, you should read relevant material in preparation of your own writing not only for content, but for form as well.
WOW! I didn't know that we subconciously take in writing styles as we read. That would make sense why good readers are better writers. It's a good point mentioning that we should often put books down when we are engulfed in it because we are thinking about the plot and forgetting the form and other writing techniques.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement: "But what most writers over look is the significance of reading for form."
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising how we go into auto pilot and just write without regard for form or audience. There is a lot to be learned by reading the kind of writing in the form we want to emulate.
I didn't "get" Twitter until I started following some people and then figured out what hashtags were used for. That's why it's important to read blogs to be a better blogger, to read creative nonfiction to be a better creative nonfiction writer, etc.