What Should You Do if You Study Literature On Your Own?
You're a high school student, probably an incoming senior (student), who aspires to be a literature student. You haven't published a written material, yet you've been interested in the classics. As a matter of fact, you read many titles. You're familiar with the others. You must start somewhere.
A literature student writes lots of papers. It could be more of writing than reading (the assigned texts), so you must start writing at a young age. If you happen to be interested in corresponding with teenage students from other countries, then you can count it as one way of improving your writing style. Keep in mind that most teenagers aren't mindful of how they write. You might be lucky to find a few teens from the other side of the Atlantic, who want to improve their written English. You must be able to review the basic rules in grammar, though. It should make you wonder if someone who is proficient in conversational English is good enough. The answer depends on what the individual wants to be.
The English language is an evolving language, even fun to play with. The lines are blurred, such that there's a need for a common language (to speak of). It will be a different case with those who want to be students of the English Department. They must study literary criticism, and apply it whenever they write their assignment. The first paper may not be polished, which should be a signal for the students to be diligent. It could be exhausting at the end of the day, but the tried-and-test method would be the best way. It's a slow, deliberate process, which could test anyone's patience. If you're not being too hard on yourself, then there's a good chance that you could be a polished writer at the end of the term. Almost.
Studying literature on your own is not the same as attending lectures, but you won't have much difficulty if you would make a head start.
5 Ways to Write Better
Pay attention to your writing style while you compose an email. The same rule applies to your posts on social media. You must be serious about this one, as what you would learn here could be helpful when you correspond with your admissions tutor. Make sure that you're consistent with the verb usage. Always opt for the simple words (if you want your message to be loud and clear). And avoid long paragraphs. If you have doubts about these three basic rules, then ask yourself if online users are attentive enough. They might not be patient unless your posts are interesting.
Create your own journal, if not a series of random thoughts. If you choose this route, then nothing could go wrong. Many writers have their own journals, some would be more prized than the others. You're not aspiring for glory, though. This exercise should help you manage your creative juices. (It's brimming when you least expect it.) It won't be wise to be your own worst critic at this point, as you can't set boundaries on your imagination. Your professor would like you more (on this one).
It's time to have your own blog. You must be grateful for technology, as you won't have a problem in finding an audience at such a short notice. You don't have to try too hard, as you must focus on your interests. It's the only way to write it with such passion. (If writing would be a necessity, then no tutor would offer you a place.)
Write for your school newspaper. This is the traditional route, where writers are beaming with pride upon seeing their name under the title of a news article. You can save yourself from embarrassment by asking the editor if you could choose which sections to specialize on. You don't have to be too choosy, as getting out of your comfort zone could be a good thing. (If you don't fancy varsity news, then you might try to write a profile feature on a particular player. There might be common interests, which should put you in your own comfort zone.)
Make sure that your book report is the best. Your instructor may (or may not) reveal the highest mark on a particular assignment, but there's no need to find out. You want to be a good writer, if not better. You may struggle with the grammar and sentence structure, which can take some time. You won't have a problem with making an argument from your own perspective. There are times that it would turn out to be better if it's not aligned with what the author had in mind.
Library as your Second Home
Reading is the only way to familiarize with varieties of writing style, of how authors would break the rules. And you might not be able to expand your vocabulary if you wouldn’t see how it’s used. It could be impractical to purchase a paperback from a bookstore, though. Go to your local library. (If it’s walking distance from your home, then you won’t have an excuse.) You may not interested in “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk, Jr., which is fine. The authors would teach you.
Some people would quip that good writing is a product of a wealth of experience. In other words, you get better with age. There’s a truth behind it, but this shouldn’t discourage you. If you really want it, then you might be another prodigy.
