# Improve your Writing and English

[Writing resources](https://hackmd.io/yzaUjVRpRem_jvcQXoLD4w#Writing), [English improvement sources](https://hackmd.io/ptpXUgf-T_2MRMfyvPuovw#Instagram-carousel-designs), and some [bonus stuff](https://hackmd.io/ptpXUgf-T_2MRMfyvPuovw#Bonus) at the end!

## Writing
Why learn how to write ?
Loads and loads of reasons: Effective communication for better impact, journalling being therapeutic, distilling ideas better, etc.
Writing is one of the main skills that has gotten me so far in sooo many things and is very very important for us youth so that we can go on to become better informed citizens and contribute to the growth of the world around us.

Perhaps one of the most important reasons for writing is to build a scientific temperament and higher logical thinking skills.
As Jordan Peterson says, "**The best way to learn critical thinking is to learn how to write**".
Writing forces you to sit and think in an organised, and logical manner, as opposed to random, unbased, whims and fancies.
Definitely watch [this very short video](https://youtu.be/td0GqMp0CSE) for more on this.


tl ; dr
Learning how to write well has obviously very important benefits and boosts your critical thinking skills as well.
(Hiten Shah is a top entrepreneur based in the U.S.)

#### Resources to learn writing

1. [Academic English: Writing Specialization (Coursera)](https://www.coursera.org/specializations/academic-english)
Atleast Course 1, 2, and 3 to learn the core basics.
2. [Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization (Coursera)](https://in.coursera.org/specializations/good-with-words)
Atleast Course 1 and 2 to learn the core basics.
3. [Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking (edX)](https://learning.edx.org/course/course-v1:HarvardX+AESTHINT15+1T2021/home)
Along with really improving your writing style, it is an absolutely fantastic, short, 2 week course - one of my favorites. It might get a bit technical but the basics they teach in the starting will go a really really long way.
4. [My Content Writing Workshop PPT](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1i2Kxl2UnnKrMXVCBSduK1kDJNDsVA2Ci)
This is not self promotion lol, dont worry.
But if you want a very short, comprehensive exposure to various things in Writing like from the basics to applications and good examples, definitely check the PPT out, I am sure it will help as it covers a lot of aspects.
5. [Khan Academy's SAT Course](https://www.khanacademy.org/SAT)
Ahh SAT, what a special classic for me. Preparing for the English section is perhaps the major sole reason that exponentially improved my English. It covers every single aspect - from Grammar and Punctuation to Writing and Comprehension.
-- On Khan Academy, there are very small daily practice quizzes that you can take but there are also 8 Practice Tests. You take one exam and then read the detailed solutions, Google it, make notes of all the things that you are coming across, write where you are going wrong, etc.
-- Then before the next exam, review your notes, then give the exam. From the solutions, make notes again of the new things and of where you went wrong. Do this till you finish atleast 4 practice tests, if not all.
-- The first time you do it, it will really seem a lot but trust me, everything you are learning is very important for everyday English speaking and writing.
-- Also, you might not be used to the format so you might run out of time a lot (its a digital exam so it will automatically close). But even if that happens, make sure you still attempt all questions on paper, then only you will have maximum learning.
-- You can give one exam every weekend - exam on Friday night, review solutions and Google new things on Saturday and Sunday.
-- This might be the most time intensive, but trust me when I say this, it will be life changing and will surely exponentially improve your English level. Even if its a lot to do, just break down the pathway into smaller chunks and do it nicely at your own pace.

## English
Here are a few tips to improve your English, be it beginner or advanced:

#### Reading
Reading is obviously the first step to better your English. [Here](https://hackmd.io/eixiFmuDRvWNChITjoUJsA), you will find a link to some really tiny PDFs that will help you to start reading.
#### Vocabulary
Interact with the material while reading - note down new meanings of the new words you come across in books/newspapers/articles/etc. and then USE it in daily life.
#### Public speaking skills
1. Toastmasters - best way to learn public speaking.
[Register with a club near you](https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club) or ask me for the Nagpur club’s contact.
2. If you want a simpler way, you can practice in a loop by recording vlogs and comparing it with the best ones on YouTube, and then improvising accordingly.
3. From Ajinkya Kamat, IvLabs Alum:
> Had gone out with a bunch of UPitt MBA grads, where I came across a very good excercise for public speaking.
> The idea is to speak about anything at random for atleast 2 mins and at max 10 mins.
> The excercise goes something like this:
> 1) Pick any word at random (https://randomwordgenerator.com/)
> 2) Start a 1 minute timer to let the speaker gather his/her thoughts
> 3) Once the minute is up, the speaker stands up and talks
> 3) Peers who are listening grade the speaker
> 4) Rinse and repeat(edited)
#### Grammar
To learn grammar, start by googling the grammatical terms mentioned in slides 24 and 25 of the [Content Writing WS PPT](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1i2Kxl2UnnKrMXVCBSduK1kDJNDsVA2Ci).

#### Speaking Fluency
You can practice your English fluency through **short practice sessions once a week** either on **Duolingo** or public Discord servers - contact me for more details and how to get started.

Here are links to learn some basic [grammar](https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/topics/reading/), [writing](https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/writing-skills/), and [business writing](https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/business-communication/).
### Bonus

- [Here](https://hackmd.io/@70HhYl1ZRgeQ9ODSznZZwA/Sy4lstpmK) is a compilation of all the posts I have made so far.
- Why and how to start reading, and some [book recommendations](https://hackmd.io/eixiFmuDRvWNChITjoUJsA)
- This article relating sound design and fiction writing is eye opening!
https://electricliterature.com/writing-science-fiction-sound-effects-sound-design-avengers-endgame/
- Some helpful [tech stuff](https://hackmd.io/CVAwFCGhTOuHpfB3UBo4NQ) - Python setup options and other important tech tips.
- Some great [Graphic Designing Resources](https://hackmd.io/ptpXUgf-T_2MRMfyvPuovw) for both beginners and skilled ones.

### Notes
- Feel free to contact me if you want any more help to improve your English or wriitng skills.
- To improve this post, any and all suggestions are welcome :)