IMG_1435Wanting to improve my writing I purchased a college level course,  that is one of many offered through National Geographic’s array of topics called, “The Great Courses.”  The array of great courses include music appreciation, calculus, the New Testament, Human Behavior and even nutrition. The cost is reasonable.  After reading the introduction and the script of the first lecture I find myself looking at writing this muse with a new outlook. The Building Great Sentences Course, at first glance, is a sort of sentence appreciation course rather than the mundane, underline the subject and verb method we learned in grammar school.

Wanting to improve my writing I purchased a college level course,  that is one of many offered through National Geographic’s array of topics called, “The Great Courses.”  The array of great courses include music appreciation, calculus, the New Testament, Human Behavior and even nutrition. The cost is reasonable.  After reading the introduction and the script of the first lecture I find myself looking at writing this muse with a new outlook. The Building Great Sentences Course, at first glance, is a sort of sentence appreciation course rather than the mundane, underline the subject and verb method we learned in grammar school.

On the first page I discovered 11 unfamiliar words. These descriptors have to do with sentences. I learned that much. The course is more than learning new words. The author/lecturer, Dr. Brooks Landon poses questions. This supplants my assumption that the course would be worthwhile.

The audio CD has an accompanying written script. Each lecture is about 30 minutes. First I read the script. I underline and make notes about concepts or terms that catch my attention either because it needs clarification or because it is impressive in some way. Second, I find a comfortable place to sit. A quiet place with limited distractions so my listening is at its best. I don’t eat, sew, or even doodle. For me, all of my energy needs to feed my ability to focus on what I hear. Third, I write out the answer to the question Dr. Landon poses at the end of each lecture. Fourth, to reinforce the learning I again read the script.

Everyone has a unique learning style. Having audio CDs allows listening at home or in the car. For review I listen to the audio lectures in the car. Reading is done while at home, on the boat, in the tent while camping, and sometimes in bed.

If you have a hankering to write an effective sentence check out the Great Courses. Or contact me for some informal sharing. In the meantime, learn – learn – learn….