“On Being a Good Writer and Reader”
A student asked me the following question, “How do I become a better reader and understand what I read and be able to apply it to logical questions?”
Here’s my response to the student’s question:
Below, I provide osome basic ideas to help you become a stronger writer:
- Read great writers and pay attention to how they formulate their questions, structure their thoughts, and express complex ideas clearly.
- Read widely—especially fiction, novels, and short stories. Exposure to different voices and styles expands your own.
- Imitate good writing. Try to model your writing after authors whose work you admire; imitation helps develop your own unique voice.
- Recommended writers: Toni Morrison, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Edwidge Danticat, C.S. Lewis, James Baldwin, Myriam Chancy, Virginia Woolf, John Steinbeck, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, Maya Angelou, among others.
- Read with an open mind. Ask critical questions about what you’re reading—the ideas presented, the assumptions behind them, and their implications.
- Consider multiple perspectives. Strive to understand ideas from different viewpoints and cultural contexts.
- Write regularly. Start a blog or personal journal to develop consistency. Aim for two to three posts per week or 30–60 minutes of writing time weekly. Start small, but stay consistent.
- Read book reviews. Pay close attention to how reviewers discuss and analyze the books, including their tone, structure, and argumentation.
- Study books on writing. Read works that explore writing craft, style, and creativity. Here are some recommendations:
“How to Read a Book”
“On Writing Well”
“Writing with Power”
drcelucienjoseph, "Thinking and Meditating" 