English novels -_-

[sidra rana]

Salam every one.i want to share a very serious problem of mine hoping that someone could help me.i am a medical student and i can study voluminous medical books very easily.i am also fond of urdu novels(specially from khwateen digest ) and can also digest urdu literature with a little bit of difficulty but when it comes to english novels and literature i find myself lost in a deep dark world of incompetence as med students we are allowed to write any thing but english.our sentences are usually collection of some scientific terms joined by commas and full stops.(as you are witenessing).i also find it difficult to develop interest in english books embelished with heavy and heavier words.kindly give me some pieces of advice which could help me in not only becoming a varocious reader but also flamboyant writer.
(I cannot reveal how many times i have consulted dictionary while writing this post )

[hafiz mubashar]

Being a Masters in English Literature and keen to study (English) literature, I let you know some of the techniques to weed out the quandary.
First of all, whenever you read English Literature books, instill in your mind that you are reading for aesthetic purpose and not for the linguistic one. This is a trick and do it at least for a time until you don't create your taste in reading Literature. What's the advantage? You will not be stressed mentally that you are used to fed up with the English literature. This thing will also help you to create flow in your reading and enjoying the literary work will help you to read more and more.

Secondly, start with easy works. I mean easy linguistically and devoid of so much verbosity. For this purpose, I can recommend Paulo Cohelho's works. The Alchemist, Brida, Manual of the Warrior of Light, The Pilgrimage and others are some of the worth-mentioning. The most notable thing is that all his works inspire the reader to do or achieve something worth-achieving. You can search about him online and download his works. His works have been translated in English and the translations have much easy wording.

Thirdly, add some new words to your glossary on daily basis: you can add 10-15 words easily and can tote more if your memory permits it. Within a month, you will feel the difference.

For the above-mentioned purpose, you can do any or a couple of these things: Read columns from Dawn or The Nation ect (select just one paper on daily basis) and note the words that are new to you; Or, buy Jahangir Publishers' booklet titled "Exploring the World of Vocabulary" ; or just note down words from the Literary pieces that you would read.

Consult a standard dictionary: in soft, the most useful to me is http://www.thesaurus.com/ . This is best for Thesaurus and learning new words.

Lastly, when you feel you have created somewhat taste of literary pieces, turn to read some standard fiction and non-fiction: you can read Thomas Hardy's or Jane Austen's; George Eliot's or GB Shaw's; or even Shakespeare's or Charles Dickens - to name a few.

These are the thoughts that I have put down here, If you feel to ask more, feel free to ask.

[sidra rana]

Thats very kind of you..you know what i have tried to read paulo..the alchemist,pilgrimage, winner stands alone etc.but tragedy is i never make it to the end.i don't know if its due to my lack of taste for best sellers:o that nothing compels me to reach to the end(pardon my inappropriate preposition:p)then i thought may b non fiction would attract me..and guess what i started mein kemf:eek

[Man Jaanbazam]

I would like to add also a few things.

1. Start reading from the novels or books you find more interesting. No matter what kind of book it is and on what topic it is written. The main thing is whether you like it or not. It will develop your reading habit. Dawn (Sunday Edition) can also be useful in this regard) .
2. Do not consult dictionary while reading a book untill and unless it is too much necessary and you find yourself unable to grasp the whole idea. Consulting dictionary hampers the reading habit badly.
3. Underline the difficult words with lead pencil while reading. You can check their meanings later on.(That's what I do)
4. As Hafiz Mubashar mentioned already, start reading motivational reads. I would recommend another excellent read that is "Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak) .
Here you go. Good Luck!
I will add more points also later on inshaAllah

[Qk Mehsood]

Originally Posted by sidra rana

Salam every one.i want to share a very serious problem of mine hoping that someone could help me.i am a medical student and i can study voluminous medical books very easily.i am also fond of urdu novels(specially from khwateen digest ) and can also digest urdu literature with a little bit of difficulty but when it comes to english novels and literature i find myself lost in a deep dark world of incompetence as med students we are allowed to write any thing but english.our sentences are usually collection of some scientific terms joined by commas and full stops.(as you are witenessing).i also find it difficult to develop interest in english books embelished with heavy and heavier words.kindly give me some pieces of advice which could help me in not only becoming a varocious reader but also flamboyant writer.
(I cannot reveal how many times i have consulted dictionary while writing this post )

To understand English novels or drama you need to know the basics of literature for example to understand English poetry one must go back to Greek mythology at least.then you need to know what is irony,metaphors,.........and the most important are symbols.

[hafiz mubashar]

Originally Posted by Qk Mehsood

To understand English novels or drama you need to know the basics of literature for example to understand English poetry one must go back to Greek mythology at least.then you need to know what is irony,metaphors,.........and the most important are symbols.

My view is quite different than that of yours. I believe one do not need to know much about Greek Mythology, Literary Terms, and basic structures of English Literature to revel in literature. Reason? It is that, for instance, you read 'The Alchemist', 'Forty Rules of Love', 'Joseph Andrews', 'Pride and Prejudice', Wilkie Collins's detective novels and so on without any cognizance of Greek Mythology. Esp. Modern Literature deals with modern themes and quite apart from Greek Mythological interpretations and indulgences.

You need to know all about it for interpreting, reviewing, evaluating and criticizing literary pieces. But, certes, enjoying literary pieces is quite different one from that of the above-listed aspects of study.

Ms. Sidra Rana just wanna enjoy literature: For this, just reading and enjoying literature is enough. Read inspirational ones and be inspirited one to achieve your destinies.

Mea Culpa: My personal views, anyone can have other viewpoint too. Baqi thora boht jo requiremnet hoti hay literay terms ki kisi work mein, wo Enjoy karty karty khud hi understood ho jati hay