Writing by reading
by Lynn Riskedal | May 4, 2009
Throughout my doctoral program, I found myself reading interesting books, unrelated to my focused topic. I’ve always enjoyed the escapism of a good mystery. But I found myself reading books about science and popular culture. I enjoyed the subjects, but I wondered why ( besides avoidance ) I read them.
Years later, I was talking with one of Capella’s reading faculty. As we discussed writing with learners, she mentioned a way to get better at writing was to read good writers.
As you read journal articles and books, pay attention to how the writer writes. To how they build their argument. To their sentence and paragraph structure.
And enjoy the occasional, well written book that is off topic.