Outline:
How literature can help students learn about themselves and the world around them
examples of how different pieces of literature have affected people’s lives
Explain how reading can help students improve their writing skills
Offer a few book recommendations that students might enjoy
If you’re a student who wants to improve your academic writing skills, you may have been told to read more books. And while that advice may seem obvious, there’s actually good reason to believe that reading can help you become a better writer.
How literature can help students learn about themselves and the world around them
There’s more to literature than just reading for pleasure. While novels, short stories, and poems can provide hours of entertainment, they can also teach us about ourselves and the world around us. In fact, literature can be a powerful tool for helping students learn about other cultures, expand their vocabularies, and develop empathy for others. Here are just a few ways that literature can help students learn about themselves and the world around them.
Literature Can Help Students Develop Empathy
One of the most important things that literature can do is help students develop empathy for others. When we read about the experiences of characters who are different from us, we’re able to see the world from their perspective and understand their feelings.
This can be especially helpful for students who might not have a lot of exposure to people from other cultures or backgrounds.
By reading about the lives of others, students can learn to see things from another person’s point of view and become more understanding and tolerant of others.
Literature Can Help Students Expand Their Vocabularies
Another way that literature can help students is by expanding their vocabularies. When we encounter new words in a book, we’re more likely to remember them because we’re engaged in the story and invested in the characters.
This is a much more effective way of learning new words than simply memorizing definitions from a dictionary. And as our vocabularies grow, so does our ability to express our thoughts in academic writing. For instance, IB students from different countries name reading as one of the main sources of ideas while completing their Internal Assessments, ToK essays and Extended essays. A lot of students use IB internal assessment writing service to succeed with their international baccalaureate papers.
Literature Can Help Students Learn About Other Cultures
In addition to helping students develop empathy for others, literature can also help them learn about other cultures. Reading about the customs and beliefs of people from different parts of the world can give students a greater understanding and appreciation for other cultures. This is especially important in today’s globalized world where we are increasingly connected with people from all over the globe. By learning about other cultures through literature, students can become more informed and open-minded citizens of the world.
Examples of how different pieces of literature have affected people’s lives
The right story can transport you to another world, make you laugh, make you cry, and even change the way you see the world around you. Here are a few examples of how different pieces of literature have affected people’s lives.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was first published in 1960 and has since become a classic of American literature. The story is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression and tells the story of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape.
The novel deals with themes of racial injustice and the destruction of innocence, and it had a profound impact on the way many people view race relations in America. In fact, To Kill a Mockingbird is often credited with helping to bring about the Civil Rights movement. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history of race in America.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular novels in the English language, and it’s easy to see why. The story follows Elizabeth Bennet, a young woman living in England in the early 19th century as she navigates complicated relationships with her family, friends, and potential suitors.
Austen’s novel is widely praised for its sharp wit and social commentary, and it continues to be one of the most popular books ever written. Pride and Prejudice is required reading for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of human relationships.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye is one of those rare books that seems to speak directly to teenage angst. The novel follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager from New York City who is kicked out of his boarding school and decides to run away from home.
Holden’s journey takes him all over New York City, and along the way he learns some hard lessons about life. The Catcher in the Rye is required reading for anyone who wants to understand what it’s like to be a teenager.
How Reading Can Help Improve Your Writing Skills
When it comes to academic success, there is no magic bullet. However, if there was one piece of advice we could give students that would help them in nearly every subject, it would be this: read more.
You might be wondering how reading can help improve writing skills. After all, aren’t they two completely different skills? The answer is yes and no. While reading and writing are certainly different skills, they are also intimately connected. In fact, reading can actually be a powerful tool for improving writing skills.
Here’s a closer look at why reading can help students improve their writing skills.
Reading Helps Students Develop an Ear for Language
One of the most important things that reading does for students is help them develop an ear for language. When students read regularly, they are exposed to a wide variety of sentence structures, vocabulary words, and literary devices.
This exposure helps students internalize the building blocks of language and makes it easier for them to use these elements in their own writing.
Reading Helps Students Practice Analyzing Texts
Another way that reading can help improve writing skills is by providing students with practice analyzing texts. When students read critically, they learn to pay close attention to the details in a text and think deeply about what they mean.
This type of analysis is essential for writing strong papers and essays. By reading regularly, students can hone their analytical skills and become better writers as a result.
Reading Helps Students Write More Creatively
In addition to helping students develop an ear for language and practice analyzing texts, reading also helps them write more creatively.
When students are exposed to great works of literature, they can see how creative writers use language to paint pictures in readers’ minds and create unforgettable characters and worlds. This exposure can inspire students to take their own writing in new and exciting directions.
Three Books to Help Improve Your Academic Writing
The first book we recommend is The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. This book is a classic when it comes to writing well. While the book was originally written for writers of fiction, the advice contained within is relevant for all types of writing, including academic writing.
The Elements of Style will teach you how to write clearly and concisely. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills.
The second book we recommend is A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate Turabian. This book is specifically geared towards helping students improve their academic writing skills.
It covers everything from choosing a topic to conducting research to formatting your paper correctly. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to help you with your academic writing, then this is the book for you.
The third and final book we recommend is Writing for Sociology by Randall Collins. This book is geared towards helping sociology students improve their writing skills. However, the advice contained within is relevant for all students who want to improve their academic writing skills.
Collins provides advice on how to choose a topic, how to conduct research, and how to write a paper that makes an impact. If you want to write better papers, then this book is definitely worth checking out.
Conclusion
In conclusion, reading books can help improve your academic writing skills in a number of ways. By expanding your vocabulary, teaching you about different cultures and worlds, and helping you to better understand yourself, literature can be a useful tool for becoming a more successful student. If you’re looking for some good book recommendations to get started, why not try 1984 by George Orwell, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee? All three are classics that have had a lasting impact on readers around the world.