Reading Won’t Improve Your Writing. Here’s Why

The answer to all high school English writing issues seems to be “read more.”

Not enough vocabulary? Read more.
No ideas for creative writing? Read more.
Poor grammar? Read more.

However, does reading more actually make a direct difference to writing skills and English marks? The answer is, unfortunately, a resounding no. The act of reading itself does not necessarily fix any of these issues. Reading is simply a tool that will only yield the right results when used in the right way.

Most of us do not read actively. They skim through the page for the storyline, not for the grammar or vocabulary. When engrossed in an engaging story, we are rarely motivated enough to stop reading, pull out a dictionary, and look up unfamiliar words.

So, if this is the case, how exactly can we improve our English analysis and writing skills?

1. Learn grammar rules: It might be painful, but learning the basic rules and components of sentences is a crucial first step in understanding how the English language is put together. This can be done with a textbook, online exercises, or tutoring, depending on how you learns best.
2. Set aside non-pleasurable reading time: Reading should actually be done in two distinct ways. One way is for pure pleasure—an excellent way to learn more about the world around us. There is no need to constantly associate reading with study, as this will ruin a child’s experience and drive them away from books. Reading to study should be scheduled separately. A 15-minute reading session each day, where the goal is to absorb vocabulary and dissect grammar, is enough to help high school students improve their writing skills
3. Keep a Pinterest board or file of excellent passages: When we write, it’s unlikely that the amazing passages we’ve read in the past will be at the top of our minds. This is why, if we come across a particularly beautiful sentence, compiling it in a dedicated space and pulling it out during writing sessions will help us get the most out of the reading exercise.
4. Edit, edit, edit: Whether it is done by a teacher, a tutor, or yourself, having your writing edited and then redoing it is the best way to improve writing skills. Of course, for us to be able to edit our own work, a good grasp of grammar rules is crucial, as mentioned in point one.

No one improves their grammar simply by reading—just as a football player will not learn how to play well by watching matches for fun, students do not learn how to write well by reading for fun.

Hopefully, these tips will help the high school students in your life improve their writing skills and their confidence in creative writing, persuasive writing and discursive writing!