Do you think myLot improves writing skills?
By musicxrules
@musicxrules (143)
United States
August 9, 2010 12:51am CST
I've been taking SAT prep throughout high school, but I was not given much essay practice because essays take too long to grade. After getting a 6/12 on one of my practice essays, I became desperate for improvement. I've realized that most questions asked on myLot are the kinds of questions that would appear on an SAT essay prompt. Though I will not write full-length essays on myLot, it's still beneficial to practice using SAT vocabulary, proving a point with detailed examples, and writing under a time limit (if you time yourself). But, considering the fact that myLot is a money-making website, some people just hastily type meaningless responses, or write in internet slang, and are not improving their writing skills at all.
Do you think that myLot can improve your writing abilities? If you've been using myLot for long, have you seen any improvement in your writing and/or social skills?
2 people like this
14 responses
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
9 Aug 10
It would depend on the person writing. If, as you say, the person just types meaningless responses without even bothering to check for grammar, etc., then no matter how frequent that person comments in MyLot, there would be no improvement on his writing. It is true that practice makes perfect, but somebody pointed out that correct practice makes perfect. If you do something wrongly repeatedly, then, you perfect doing that act in a wrong manner.
But, if you make MyLotting a learning tool for you, then it could help. Like, writing under time limit, and writing impromptu about a topic. For me, MyLot is helping improve my typing skills! 
@chenxiaoyue_713 (2165)
• China
9 Aug 10
I totally agree with you on this. A tool can never be really of help unless people make the best of it. It's the same case with mylot. Mylotters have been talking a lot about improving writing skills here, and I applaud them for that. But the truth is not everyone knows how to make the best of it. Imagine you're reading a poor-written post from which you can't figure out anything, what will you feel? The key is you have to find out your problems and positively work out solutions to them. It can be a tough process and you'll make it as long as you persist.
@musicxrules (143)
• United States
11 Aug 10
Thank you for responding! Yes, it will definitely depend on how much the person really wants to improve. MyLot pays so little for a post or response, they're keeping people who want to make money as quickly and effortlessly as possible. The people who are staying and posting are the ones who don't mind making a few cents a day for writing about things they love, answering other people's questions, or improving their abilities. As long as you're trying, myLot can be a very useful tool!
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
11 Aug 10
I think those who are not fluent in English also improve through MyLot. They may not even be aware of it. But, it helps their reading skills, comprehension skills and, eventually, when they respond to the discussion, their writing skills. It is good if they observe how those who are fluent in the language do it. And learn from it. But, like I said, if they just type head on even without reading the responses of the others, then there would be little room for improvement.
@liuzhi (265)
• China
10 Aug 10
Of course,It has prompted my writing skills to some degree!If you reallly want to prompt your writing skills on mylot,you should start a meaningful discussion also meaningful replies.I'm not a english man.That's why i come here.I can view other native speakers' dicussions and learn some local english and hone my english vocabularies.Progress is made day by day in a faint way that you may not find.So,keep on practice,and you will be perfect in writing!
@musicxrules (143)
• United States
11 Aug 10
That's very good. I'm glad you're learning English here on myLot. I think it'd also be very beneficial if you had to speak English often, too. Speaking & writing and listening & reading are two very different things.
@musicxrules (143)
• United States
9 Aug 10
Good idea. You'll get a lot of experience from conversing with others in a foreign language. Thank you for your response!
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
9 Aug 10
No Way can any website help in improving writing skills. Yes, they can help you write. But improving skills can be achieved if the person who rites is open to criticism and also the people who read his / her write-ups are polite enough to correct his / her errors and mistakes.
"Practice makes one Prefect" - this is a myth and going with Mr. Shiv Khera who said - "Perfect Practice makes one Perfect"
@kathyglim (183)
• Philippines
9 Aug 10
As they say practice makes perfect. But, I think myLot not only improves your writing skills. It also hones your vocabulary. It improves your ability to communicate to other people. It teaches you how to start a topic that could capture the interest of other people to join in the discussion. It is communication.
@musicxrules (143)
• United States
9 Aug 10
Very good point. Nowadays, it's hard to find websites like myLot, where you can make money, improve your skills, and communicate with others. Thank you for responding!
@musicxrules (143)
• United States
11 Aug 10
Ah, I almost forgot about that. I was so concentrated on reading and writing abilities, I nearly forgot myLot was a WEBSITE, and we're required to type every time we respond. I don't think myLot has improved my typing much, because I constantly pause to ponder on my next phrase. I think, if I wanted, I could improve my typing by typing up passages from books or textbooks.
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
9 Aug 10
You see, it will surely help you improve your writing skills, if you keep participating in mylot discussions and keep writing a meaningful and to the point response.
@musicxrules (143)
• United States
9 Aug 10
Yes, I hope I will see soon! I am planning to continue participating in myLot discussions, and keep myself from writing long-winded responses. Thank you for your response!
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
9 Aug 10
I agree that mylot can imporove our writing skills. QWe are writing on this site all of the time. That surely has to have a great effect on our writing abilities. It may not seem like it, but I think our writing improves each time we come here.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
9 Aug 10
MyLot gives a lot of valuable experience. It is really an excellent tool to improving writing skills. Or if not outright improving them, keeping them good. I notice that if I do not write for some time, my writing tends to get a bit shaky. Therefore, any chance that I need to get to get my writing sharp and have it stay sharp, I jump onto immediately.
MyLot is really the best tool online to keep the writing true. I have seem moderate improvements. Also, it is a lot easier for me to write. A lot less writer's block when writing regularly on myLot, so that is always a plus. Really, it is the best thing when that particular handicap to my writing is taken away. So to keep things sharp, I keep posting on myLot.
@thanks1961 (7035)
• India
9 Aug 10
Hi dear,
People may have different opinion. But for me, I am arguing on behalf of it that 100% improvement in all associated areas. Only thing, we are not talking loudly. Otherwise it is giving a chance to improve tremendously.
No doubt, improved the typing speed, reduced spelling mistakes, and above all, thinking more and better understanding on various subject. If some one is serious on the topics, they have to tell more and I don't think any one will participate to just for a talk.
So, while participating, the communication improves and the level of learning and development is improves. It is an inbuilt habit. We won't realise all of a sudden, but gradual improvement is happening, which we may not notice.
Regards,
Thank-s
@amarendra123 (230)
• India
9 Aug 10
i think mylot improves writing skills.i have improved a lot with my writing skills through mylot.
@juliusports (274)
• Philippines
9 Aug 10
Constant participation in this site will definitely help you improve your writing skills as you go along creating and responding some discussions as this quote applies " practice makes you perfect" .
@Tauheed127 (44)
• India
11 Aug 10
First when I was New to Mylot, I used to think what to write and no wafter viewing the Topic I reply suddenly without thinking what My answer would be and when I write what I feel about the topic I write it truly....Great Discussion Best of Luck
@blueboy3 (123)
• Ireland
9 Aug 10
I think it helps in getting better at expressing your ideas, of getting ideas onto the page. Because its informal though, the danger is that you write inaccurately, with poor grammar, etc. If you can discipline yourself to write properly, then, I think it can help.
