Books Quote by Jiro Adachi
““Hear me now or regret it later: Everything you write must be read aloud. Once all the context items are in place, this is the final test for any written piece... Do not neglect your sense of hearing in the process of writing and reading. As a longtime teacher of English as a foreign language, I can tell you on good authority that you have been listening to the English language at least five or six years longer than you have been writing and reading. And, most probably, your ears also had eighteen or more years of familiarity with the language before you began to read or write with a writer's sensibility. For these reasons, your ears know when things sound okay, good, beautiful, strange, awkward, or just plain bad, before your eye can pick up on such things... Your written voice should burn with the fire of fervent prayer, soothe like a friend's voice during a late-night phone call, alure like a lover's whisper. You must, through your accessible, infinitely read-aloudable voice, make your audience into an insatiable reader of your words.””
About This Quote
Writing should be evaluated by how it sounds when spoken; auditory feedback reveals rhythm, tone, and clarity before visual inspection can.
In simple terms: Read aloud to test prose
Listen for flow and impact
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- editing drafts
- teaching writing
- self‑editing
- public speaking
- audio‑book narration
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- improve prose quality
- enhance reader engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- How does hearing your words change your revisions?
- What sounds feel authentic to your intended audience?