Ryan is an avid reader. He first learned to read by listening to others reading before him and attempting to imitate the sounds they were making. Ryan reads for entertainment as well as knowledge and information. He enjoys reading novels and can visualize what is happening in the novel every step of the way. To be a good reader perseverance is a very important attribute to have. Sometimes books may begin slowly, taking their time to build up into the climax, and this is where perseverance comes in handy. Good readers also must be willing to learn, able to visualize what they read, and be able to interpret what they read. Reading comes naturally to Ryan. From a very young age he was able to surpass the, "Reading Tests," with flying colors. In the 2nd grade Ryan was assumed to have a 9th grade reading level. Reading is easy for Ryan because he usually reads what he enjoys. For him, Science Fiction and Historical Fiction novels are very interesting. This makes reading easier. The hardest part of reading that Ryan encounters is reading the books that he is forced to and cannot make connections to. For a majority of English classes he's taken, he has been forced to read books that are purely required to teach a certain concept that has little to no relevancy to his life. When Ryan goes to choose a new book to read, he looks for two things. One, and most importantly, is if the novel falls into a category that Ryan deems interesting. Secondly, Ryan asks others for ideas and books that he has not yet read. He generally trusts others opinions of books and will give most novels a try if a genuine explanation of why the particular novel was enjoyed is given. At home, Ryan enjoys reading between 1-3 hours daily if he is has a novel to read. He believes that books can expand the horizon on knowledge and benefit the reader. Ryan loves reading as is somewhat shocked that others do not partake in such a beneficial pass time.
Writing would not be considered one of Ryan's passions. He does not mind writing for class or in essay format, but when creative writing begins, Ryan's drive to write ends. He believes that people learn to write by reading books and finding a style that is similar to their own ideas. People write for leisure, money, expressing their beliefs/opinions, as well as for school. To write well Ryan believes that the writer must have an expansive vocabulary, an understanding of grammar, and original ideas. When these three traits are in the same place, a successful writer is in the making. Ryan's favorite kind of writing at this point in his life is actually essays. He can put depth and information into a concise essay that he believes many others cannot. When writing, the decision of what he will write about primarily comes from his teachers instructions. Ideas on how to go about said essay however, is purely from his own mind. Ryan has demonstrated interesting ideas on writing his essays including openers and endings. Constructive criticism is often his favored response to his pieces and he enjoys getting better and showcasing his improvements. Besides essays, Ryan does not write at home, unless it is in his planner for the day's plans. Overall, Ryan does not enjoy his own creative writing and has trouble getting over this barrier |