How To Become A Stronger Reader and Writer

In an era of middle schoolers using ChatGPT to write three-paragraph essays and a concerning amount of people believing what they read in TikTok comment sections, being a strong reader/writer becomes so important. Even if it’s just to get a better grade in AP Lang, understand what your classic written 200 years ago is trying to say, or even write a coherent review on Good Reads, honing in on these skills is immensely important and beneficial in the long run. I'm not saying I’m an expert, but I wanted to curate a list of some tips that I think are great ways to become more well-rounded and improve your reading/writing skills.

1) Read Anything and Everything 

One of the best suggestions I've heard is genuinely getting your hands on every type of book. Expand your taste, read books from every genre, from diverse authors and perspectives, and from every corner of the world. Pay attention to the prose and language within the text, look for deeper meanings and symbolism, and learn and expand not only your vocabulary but also your mindset. Exploring all types of literature not only makes you a more receptive and appreciative reader but it’s also reflected in your writing with the language you use and the depth of analysis you include. Also as an added bonus, going beyond your normal realm of literature can help you find some favorites and hidden treasures of books (just saying). 

2) Find a Community 

Making connections with those who have similar goals and interests when it comes to reading/writing can motivate you to keep developing your skills and also have an outlet for deeper conversations and discussions. Join a book club, find a book creator, or join an online forum. Engaging in these discussions and platforms is a great way to reflect on and understand the material you’re consuming. It does so in a way that fosters your understanding and passion, allows you to share your experiences, and ultimately just learn. 

3) Journal Regularly 

I know it sounds cliche, but there are sooo many benefits to consistent journaling and free-writing, so just hear me out on this. One of the best ways to improve a skill is to practice it consistently, So try setting aside time each day to just write for fun, for reflection, and stress-relief, rather than just for a test or assignment. Write all about your day even the most mundane and boring parts, write down random thoughts in your head, or search up some introspective or just fun prompts online. Seriously though, there are a plethora of monthly challenges and a collection of daily prompts to follow. Do it every day, even if it’s just a short paragraph, it’s so valuable!

4) Enter Into Writing Competitions and Publish Your Work

There are a myriad of online competitions, awards, and literary magazines/journals to send your work into. By submitting your work, you give yourself more motivation and an incentive to keep practicing and making your work better. You gain valuable experience and it opens a window of opportunities and possibilities that you can explore further. You can search for ways to submit your work to local magazines or even national entry options. And when you do this continuously, you become better and gain experience that helps you in the long run no matter what you need to use your writing skills for.