Why You Should Always Read Aloud

writingbox:

If I could give just one piece of writing advice it would be to read everything you write out loud. Not in your head; out loud.

And here’s why…

• It allows your ears to hear your work, not just your brain, but your ears. They’re designed for hearing things, so use them.
• You will be able to pick up on mistakes like repetition, awkward rhythm, clumsy syntax (word order).
• You will notice spelling and grammar mistakes because reading aloud forces you to read slower than in your head.
• You can sound out your character’s names, and make sure they sound right together.
• You have to read every part properly, you can’t just skim read, allowing you to hear which parts aren’t working.

You needn’t invite an audience along, just read to your family, your cat or dog, or just your bedroom mirror. So stand up, take a deep breath and read it out!