Reading Aloud Improves Writing

Years ago I wrote material for a missions agency based in the Atlanta area. Once a year, they brought writers in from around the nation for a conference; it proved a valuable exercise in building relationships and improving the materials we produced.

However, one year a problem arose on the second day of the conference. An early afternoon general audience workshop only applied to certain writers.

That left me and a dozen other contributors with little to do during that session. Thinking on his feet, an editor I had known for years assembled an impromptu writers conference.

It involved discussing certain tips he had compiled, along with feedback and insights from others in the workshop.

Gems to Follow

That hour turned out to be one of the most profitable of my freelancing career. Since this was in pre-electronic pad days, I scribbled notes by hand. Once home, I typed them up and taped them on my office wall. They’re still there.

There were some gems that day. Among them:

• • Remember that the power of God, story, and connections will come through your writing. Look for those as you interview and ask people how God touched their heart and emotions.
  • Remember the takeaway value. In other words, what will readers remember once they finish? Will they want to support missions?
  • Focus on good writing with active voice verbs, concise sentences, and rest. The latter means to set an article aside for three days. When you go back over it, it will be easier to spot the flaws.
  • If someone is reticent and not too talkative, ask them about their favorite subject: themselves. Ask about their children, job, hopes, dreams and aspirations, which could open other doors.

Talking it Out

For me, the most valuable tip that day was to read your copy out loud. Doing so brings miscues to the surface in a way reading it silently won’t. Seeing and hearing helps crystallize everything.

Although grateful for that advice, in the years that followed I struggled to implement it. I’m not sure if it was my innate shyness or that reading aloud made me too self-conscious. But I only did so about half the time.

One day a few years ago, I discovered the existence of the Read Aloud function on Word. (That is, for those with Office 2019 or 2021, or Microsoft 365.)

A friend casually mentioned Read Aloud in an email. Searching through the “review” tab, there it was; I clicked and it started reading.

Incredible. I no longer had to read anything; I could get the computer to do it. Meanwhile, I follow along, marking mistakes with a red pen so they are readily noticed when it’s time to implement revisions.

An AI Benefit

Given my penchant for criticism of Artificial Intelligence, I have to grudgingly admit Read Aloud is an AI-linked benefit.

According to the Speechify website, this feature relies on TTS technology, employing sophisticated algorithms to deliver clear, lifelike speech. I don’t really understand that; I’m just glad it works.

Nor is Word the only folks who have it. In recent online research, I discovered this year-old Forbes article about OpenAI announcing a Read Aloud feature for iOS and Android apps.

The magazine included comments from an OpenAI official of how the feature had enormous value for the visually impaired, and other benefits.

No matter whether you rely on a device or handle the task yourself, read story drafts out loud. The final version will be stronger and bring out the best writing inside of you.