BY JESSICA BAIER AND JEFFREY DORAN

Reader-Response Theory

What??

TEXT + READERWith all these power combined you make

“Reader Response Theory”

Special meaning for each reader, based on what they

read, and their past experiences

Questions

How does this relate to me?

Can this reading connect to current events I know?

Does my background alter my view of the text?

Advantages/Disadvantages

Advantages Bring your own

meaning Allows personal

connection Promotes individual

thinking Encourages healthy

reading habits Focuses on literature

rather than scholarly analysis

Readily shares concerns of feminist critics

Disadvantages “Anarchic

subjectivism” Critics say “the text

doesn’t exist” “Fails to expand

readers understanding”

“Lacks/defaults on literary meaning”

English strategies used in other classes???

• History Classes Interpretation is determined by association to event

Ex: WWII-Opinion of outcome is based on the “side” your associated with.

Science Class Interpreting data to form a conclusion

Ex: The hydrate lab. You need to determine which compound is left by looking at the data.

Real Life Application

The News What you feel about the story based on your morals

and background

Is cloning ethical?

REAL life Examples

What did the red hat mean to you?

Were the pickles and donuts sexual?

How to Apply??

Not to college of course, but how do you apply “Reader Response Theory?”

Take time to make connectionsCome up with your own meaning with

support from the textConnect to cinema, music, and visual arts.