Hey there language learners! It’s me, Bree again! A while ago, I wrote about how much I love “how-to” articles and how I use copywork to become a better writer in my target language.
Today, I want to share another one of my favorite writing exercises to improve writing! I’ve been pairing it with “how-to” articles—a fun exercise that’s helped me take my writing skills to the next level: reaction writing .
I found that reading was the best way to target the gaps in my vocabulary. I identified the things I care about and talk about daily—and found content specifically about those things. Then, I used copywork to train myself to notice the small details and emulate the way my favorite authors wrote. However, I needed different exercises to improve my writing.
These strategies worked wonders for noticing new vocabulary and grammar structures. But when it came time to actually use what I’d learned, I ran into a few challenges:
I knew I needed something different—a way to bridge the gap between noticing and actually using new vocabulary. I wanted a strategy that gave me structure, kept me focused, and helped me practice what I was learning—so I tried a new writing exercise, reaction writing .
Instead of just sitting down and writing whatever comes to mind—reaction writing ties writing and reading together to help you get more from BOTH!
Here’s how I used it to become a better writer:
You read an article, and after each paragraph—or every few paragraphs—you write your reaction to what you just read. For example, you can:
Want to make even more progress? Here’s how to go the extra mile with your reaction writing:
Will you add reaction writing to your language-learning toolbox? Try it! Did it feel more productive than journaling? Reaction writing has helped me practice using what I learned, and I bet it can do the same for you.