Use wide reading to improve own writing: what the requirement means

1. Specification focus. use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing
2. Why it matters. The skill is assessed through the quality of the response, not through a memorised label. Examiners reward choices that are accurate, relevant and clearly connected to meaning, purpose or audience.

Use wide reading to improve own writing: a reliable method

1. Decode the task. Underline the required form, audience and purpose. These choices determine register, structure, content and the level of formality.
2. Plan a progression. Give each paragraph a distinct job and order ideas for maximum clarity or impact. Use links that express real relationships, not mechanical connectives.
3. Craft sentences deliberately. Vary sentence length and structure to control emphasis and pace. Choose precise vocabulary that fits the voice instead of forcing impressive words.
4. Edit in layers. Check meaning and organisation first, then sentence control, punctuation and spelling. Correct recurring errors and remove repetition.

Use wide reading to improve own writing: worked application

1. Model the thinking. For a persuasive article aimed at students, a direct opening can establish relevance, while a logically sequenced middle develops reasons and a concise ending reinforces the requested action.
2. Develop rather than list. One developed example normally shows greater control than several labels. Explain the relationship between choice, evidence and effect.