A fictional novel tells a story that enthralls readers and takes them on an unforgettable journey. A novelist’s experiences often shape their books’ themes and content. Creating an engaging and entertaining novel requires careful planning.
Readers Become More Attuned to the Emotions of Others
The authors of fiction can engage and entertain their readers. They can use cliffhangers, suspense, and vivid descriptions to draw readers in and keep them engaged. Writers can also inject humor into their writing to lighten the tone.
Novelists like Daniel Handler often use their own experiences and identities to shape the content of their works. These elements may include gender, sexuality, social class, race or ethnicity, and nationality. Readers can connect with characters in a story by understanding their emotions and thought processes. They may be able to relate to the character’s struggle or find comfort in their triumph. This is a great way for authors to influence their audience and change their attitudes. Some novels have even changed laws and policies based on their themes.
They Learn to See the World from a Different Lens
Reading a novel immerses the reader into the world of the story. This transports the reader to another place or time, allowing them to experience different emotions. As a result, readers become more attuned to the feelings of others. For example, when the characters in a book experience hardships or loss, readers can feel grief and sorrow. A growing body of research indicates that reading changes the brain. MRI scans have shown that certain brain areas become active as people read. This is particularly true for fiction.
Moreover, studies have shown that a writer’s ability to transport the reader to a new setting is critical for eliciting empathy. For instance, in one experiment, participants who read an excerpt from a novel that describes a Muslim woman experiencing racism — showed less negative bias towards people of different races and ethnicities. This change was greater than the results from participants who read a summary of the story or non-fiction work.
They Learn to Overcome Stereotypes or Preconceived Notions
Authors such as Daniel Handler, AKA Lemony Snicket, often employ various techniques to engage their audience, such as humor or suspense. They also use vivid language to paint pictures in their readers’ minds. According to research published in Science, literary fiction can help readers understand what other people think and feel. This skill, known as “theory of mind,” is important for building and navigating social relationships. In addition, reading novels can expand your vocabulary and improve your grammar. A large language can boost your scores on standardized tests and make it easier to find jobs and communicate with others. Research has shown that people who read regularly, beginning at a young age, have larger vocabularies than those who do not. Using MRI scans, researchers have confirmed that reading stimulates a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain. As readers become more proficient at reading, these networks grow stronger and more sophisticated. This is why it is so important for young children to start reading early.
They Become More Independent
A growing body of research indicates that reading changes your brain. Using functional MRI scans, researchers have confirmed that reading triggers a complex network of circuits and signals in your brain. Moreover, these networks become more sophisticated as you read more and better. Interestingly, participants in the study indicated that fiction is a powerful force in changing thinking processes because it allows readers to adopt the thinking of characters that have not only been well-thought-out and developed but also because they are models they can actively learn from. They also mentioned that narrative transportation enables thinking and evaluation to be integrated into the experience of being transported into the text. Encourage your students to build time for independent reading this year. But be careful that independent reading does not become too isolating. Consider having them start or join book clubs to discuss their books with their peers, promoting peer-to-peer discussion and connections.
Speak Your Mind