Reading Like a Writer audiobook cover - A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them

Reading Like a Writer

A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them

Francine Prose

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Communication Skills

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Key Takeaways from Reading Like a Writer

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Reading Like a Writer
The Art of Close Reading+
The Power of Words+
Crafting Sentences+
Mastering Paragraphs+
Intriguing Narrators+
Revealing Character+
The Magic of Details+
Finding Your Voice+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
Why do adults often fail at close reading compared to children, according to the text?
  • A. Adults lack the fundamental vocabulary needed to decipher complex literary subtext.
  • B. Adults grow impatient and tend to skim-read, hunting for quick information or entertainment.
  • C. Adults rarely read texts aloud, which is essential for understanding the rhythm of a story.
  • D. Adults are too focused on grammatical rules rather than the emotional core of the narrative.
Question 2 of 8
What is the primary purpose of analyzing an author's specific word choices, such as James Joyce's use of the incorrect word 'literally' in 'The Dead'?
  • A. To identify the grammatical errors that were common in classic historical literature.
  • B. To see how authors intentionally limit their vocabulary to make books more accessible to the masses.
  • C. To understand how a chosen word perfectly reflects a character's social environment and perspective.
  • D. To prove that modern dictionaries contain too many unnecessary words for effective storytelling.
Question 3 of 8
According to the text, what is the most revealing and difficult-to-disguise element of an individual's writing style?
  • A. Word choice
  • B. Punctuation
  • C. Phrasing
  • D. Paragraphing
Question 4 of 8
How does the author suggest we conceptualize paragraphing to get the balance right?
  • A. As a form of literary breathing
  • B. As the architectural foundation of a house
  • C. As the steady heartbeat of a narrative
  • D. As a mathematical equation balancing word counts
Question 5 of 8
What is the essential requirement for a first-person narrator to be successful?
  • A. They must be highly moral and trustworthy.
  • B. They must be deeply likable to the reader.
  • C. They must act as an objective 'fly on the wall.'
  • D. They must possess an intriguing personality, even if they are unlikable.
Question 6 of 8
How do Heinrich von Kleist and Jane Austen primarily differ in the way they reveal their characters' unique personalities?
  • A. Kleist uses detailed physical descriptions, while Austen uses fast-paced dialogue.
  • B. Kleist focuses on characters' actions, while Austen reveals their private, inner thoughts.
  • C. Kleist relies on unreliable narrators, while Austen uses objective third-person narration.
  • D. Kleist uses specific realistic details, while Austen uses sweeping historical contexts.
Question 7 of 8
What crucial trait do great writers share with 'smart liars'?
  • A. They stack up an overwhelming number of facts and arguments to build credibility.
  • B. They constantly change the narrative perspective to confuse the audience.
  • C. They use specific, realistic details to make an untrue story convincing.
  • D. They avoid using physical gestures to prevent revealing their true intentions.
Question 8 of 8
What actionable advice does the author give to help writers overcome fear and find their true voice?
  • A. Write something your mother wouldn't like.
  • B. Mimic the exact style of your favorite classic author.
  • C. Only write about topics that have been proven to sell.
  • D. Read your drafts aloud to a group of harsh critics.

Reading Like a Writer — Full Chapter Overview

Reading Like a Writer Summary & Overview

Reading Like a Writer (2006) shows us how to read literary masterpieces with open eyes. These blinks explain the patterns of writing that make fiction memorable, powerful and authentic, helping us slow down our reading and find more enjoyable experiences in every book.

Who Should Listen to Reading Like a Writer?

  • Avid readers who want to get more out of their fiction-reading experience
  • Writers and those dreaming of becoming one
  • Anyone who promised themselves they’d read the classics, but hasn’t managed to yet

About the Author: Francine Prose

Francine Prose is a best-selling author and essay writer. She’s also won several literary prizes and was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2000 for her novel, Blue Angel.

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