Undeniably, the best way to expand vocabulary and knowledge is by reading. We can’t rely on the conversations we have and we can’t rely on vocabulary word lists. So if you are looking to boost your verbal score, don’t just use practice problems. Expand your practice and studying to high quality news articles from trusted news sources.
But what is a high-quality, trusted news source?
A fair question indeed! Our lives are suffused with text and media. Wading through this mess and finding quality content is not easy. We yearn for a trusted friend to recommend something to read because we know that it will at least rise above a threshold of quality.
What follows is a collection of writers that Magooshers like to read. These authors, journalists, and columnists write for distinguished news outlets and consistently write quality articles.
Before we dive into the authors, remember that it is not just what you read that matters. It is how you read as well. Cultivate an active reading style as you read on a daily basis. Don’t passively take in the information; constantly seek meaning as you read.
What To Read—According to Margarette
Margarette, our Director of Marketing, recommended these authors in The Atlantic. I combed through the journalists’ articles and chose some interesting ones to start with.
Svati Kirsten Narula writes for and produces The Atlantic‘s National channel.
- “How the Famous Marshmallow Study Explains Environmental Conservation”
- “Why West Coast Sea Life Has Been Behaving So Strangely”
- “What Does Benjamin Franklin Have to Do With Obamacare?”
Julie Beck is an associate editor at The Atlantic, where she covers health.
- “Study: Exercise Helps Aging Brains Grow Larger”
- “Study: Ordinary Experiences Make Us Happier as We Get Older”
- “Study: Smarter People Are More Trusting”
John T. Tierney is a correspondent for The Atlantic and a former professor of American government at Boston College.
- “Your Annual Reminder to Ignore the U.S. News & World Report College Rankings”
- “Vocabulary and Reading: Give Your Kids a Fighting Chance”
- “‘Anybody? Anybody?’ What Ferris Bueller Got Right”
What To Read—According to Rita
Rita is the Inbound Marketer at Magoosh and recommends reading Joel Stein who writes for Time. He also contributes his thoughts and musings to The Los Angeles Times too. He writes funny pieces on pop culture and politics that are easy to relate to. This is a perfect writer to read when you don’t feel motivated to read anything to dense, but still want to spend time practicing your active reading. 🙂
What To Read—According to Peter
Peter, who manages our Business Development, recommended the following authors. I am going to start reading some of these authors after his recommendations. I went through and chose some articles to get you started. 🙂
Adam Gopnik has been writing fiction, humor pieces, book reviews, and other reporting pieces for The New Yorker since 1986.
Not a journalist, but a compelling writer, Alain de Botton writes his thoughts in his blog. At times pretentious, but, ultimately, entertaining, de Botton writes about the philosophy of everyday life. He hasn’t written much on his blog, but there are two interesting articles worth perusing.
Glenn Kessler, The Washington Post fact checker, is always an enjoyable read. He does a good job of breaking down arguments and details, which is always useful on tests, especially the GMAT.
- “McConnell’s stale, inflated claim about health-plan cancellations”
- “Fact Checking Vladimir Putin’s speech on Crimea”
- “Edward Snowden’s claim that he had ‘no proper channels’ for protection as a whistleblower”
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