“What Reading Slowly Taught Me About Writing,” a Ted Talk by Jacqueline Woodson, is a poetic talk that primarily highlights the importance of reading slowly in order to comprehend an author’s story that is being communicated through a piece of literature. We often rush to get ahead, finish, or overcome something—whether it’s an overwhelming event, an assignment, or, especially, a book—forgetting to appreciate the present moment or the words of a composition coming to life. It is beneficial to take one’s time to understand not only a piece of written work, but also life itself, because, comparable to reading, you learn more about writing if you pace yourself rather than racing, and similarly, you learn more about life if you control your time rather than rushing. Woodson’s talk emphasizes the importance of reading and taking things slowly, particularly when she says that writing creates “worlds where people could be seen and heard, where their experiences could be legitimized, and where my story, read or heard by another person, inspired something in them that became a connection between us, a conversation.” Almost every narrative comprises the writer’s—or someone else’s story recounted by an author’s—hopes, dreams, past, present, and future—you name it—all of which are creatively conveyed. To properly appreciate a writer’s story, the reader must slow down and admire each word that is skillfully integrated to tell the entire story, because we can only understand an author’s life experiences, ideas, and feelings through their written work. Writers pour their hearts and souls into their work, so it’s only fair that readers take their time to experience the narrative’s beauty.

As someone who is on the verge of enjoying reading, I will take the speaker’s advice. In this manner, I will not only gain a greater understanding of the content I am reading, but I will also be introduced to individuals I never imagined I would meet and travel to places I never thought I would visit. As a result, I will better appreciate my reading experience while also respecting the author’s work.