When you read like a writer, you prepare yourself to become an active member of the conversation you’ve decided to join. You learn where the conversation has been — and where it is at the moment. In short, reading like a writer helps you think critically about what you’ve read and prepares you to write your own document.

To engage more fully with the information, ideas, and arguments you encounter in your reading, you’ll want to go beyond simply knowing what others have written. By reading to understand, reading to respond, and reading to make connections — and putting your thoughts into words — you can begin to find your voice.