You Are What You Read

You Are What You Read You Are What You Read You Are What You Read By Michael Readers often ask how to improve their English writing skills when English is not their native language and they dont live in an English-speaking country. My advice? Do it the way I did. Imitate me. But Michael, you may object, English is your native language and youve lived your whole life in an English-speaking country. So okay, dont imitate me. Imitate somebody else. But its vital that you imitate somebody. You cant gain skill in a language, whether or not its your native language, without imitating those who are more skilled than you. In the case of language learning, listen to BBC Radio in English. Read English language websites. Dont worry that you cant (yet) speak or write as well as other people. In fact, at first, you shouldnt even try. You have to take in before you put out. How much did you speak during your first year? How well did you speak during your second year? A friend of mine, an expert in language learning, advises people to follow the example of little children. Listen for a year or two before you try to speak. Some writers would do well to take that advice, to read much more than they write, if they really want to learn how to write. Read the works of the best writers in English that you can find. If that doesnt leave you enough time to read low-quality popular magazines, thats even better. Read the writers who write the way you want to write someday. Read books written in a voice similar to yours. That means, of course, that you have to know yourself and your communications style well enough to recognize a similar voice when you hear it. Hopefully, it will be writing that you enjoy reading. But be true to yourself. Dont pretend to be what youre not. Many people want to dress like movie stars because they want to look like movie stars. Except that they dont. They would do better to dress like themselves. It would be more attractive. My formal education gave me only a small portion of my writing style, my grammar, my vocabulary, even my spelling. I learned most of it from reading. Theres another reason to read only the best literature: if you see a word misspelled or misused too many times, you will start to assume that its correct. What determines the meaning or spelling of a word is how it has been used or spelled over many years. Even the Oxford English Dictionary justifies its entries with quotations from literature. Two of the greatest influences on my writing style are G.K. Chesterton and Rudolf Flesch. Chesterton taught me that varying your word choice for its own sake (what my English teacher called elegant alternation when I was 14) isnt necessary, that repeating the same word may be more powerful or humorous. Flesch taught me that short sentences are easier to understand, even if some writers think that long sentences make them seem more intelligent. Other writers might consider Chesterton and Flesch too blunt or direct for them to imitate. Their own personality is more gentle and their writing must reflect that. Find your own writing models. But choose them carefully. Your writing becomes like your reading. You are what you read. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Using "a" and "an" Before WordsDeck the HallsHow Do You Pronounce "Often"?

University of New Mexico (UNM) Admissions Data

University of New Mexico (UNM) Admissions Data The University of New Mexico has an acceptance rate of 58 percent. Those with good grades and test scores are likely to get into the school. To apply, interested students will need to visit the schools website for the application form and complete admissions guidelines/instructions. Required materials to apply include official high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. Be sure to contact the admissions office if you have any questions. Will you get in? Calculate your chances of getting in with this free tool from Cappex. Admissions Data (2016) University of New Mexico Acceptance Rate: 58 percentTest Scores: 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 470 / 600SAT Math: 480 / 600What these SAT numbers meanSAT comparison for New Mexico collegesMountain West SAT comparisonACT Composite: 19 / 25ACT English: 18Â  / 25ACT Math: 18Â  / 25What these ACT numbers meanACT comparison for New Mexico collegesMountain West ACT comparison University of New Mexico Description The University of New Mexicos 600-acre campus sits in the heart of Albuquerque. Its distinctive buildings are designed with Pueblo-style architecture, and the park-like campus features a duck pond and an impressive arboretum. In academics, Business is the most popular major, but the University of New Mexicos strengths in the liberal arts and sciences earned the school a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Academics are supported by a good 19 to 1 student / faculty ratio. In athletics, the UNM Lobos compete in the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference. Enrollment (2016) Total Enrollment: 26,999Â  (21,023 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 44Â  percent male / 56 percent female76 percent Full-time Costs (2016-17) Tuition and Fees: $7,340 (in-state); $21,929 (out-of-state)Books: $1,080 (why so much?)Room and Board: $9,472Other Expenses: $3,858Total Cost: $21,750 (in-state); $36,339 (out-of-state) University of New Mexico Financial Aid (2015-16) Percentage of Students Receiving Aid: 96 percentPercentage of Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 95Â  percentLoans: 38 percentAverage Amount of AidGrants: $6,157Loans: $4,626 Academic Programs Most Popular Majors: Biology, Business Administration, Elementary Education, General Studies, Nursing, PsychologyWhat major is right for you? Sign up to take the free My Careers and Majors Quiz at Cappex. Graduation and Retention Rates First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 80 percent4-Year Graduation Rate: 16Â  percent6-Year Graduation Rate: 44Â  percent Intercollegiate Athletic Programs Mens Sports: Football, Skiing, Tennis, Track and Field, Golf, Basketball, BaseballWomens Sports: Skiing, Swimming, Volleyball, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball If You Like University of New Mexico, You May Also Like These Schools New Mexico State University: ProfileNorthern Arizona University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphFort Lewis College: ProfileTexas Tech University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphStanford University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Oregon: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Utah: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphColorado State University - Fort Collins: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Arizona: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Colorado Boulder: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Texas - Austin: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics