Journal #11: Reader-Response Theory

REMINDERS ABOUT JOURNAL EXPECTATIONS:

Each of these journal entries should be at least two paragraphs (each paragraph should be at least eight sentences in length).

Remember, this is a graded piece of formal, academic writing. Every post you make should be of high quality and represent everything you know about communicating clearly and effectively.

Think about content.

• Engage with the material in a substantive way: attempt to dig deep and answer questions thoroughly. Avoid stating the obvious. Write at least eight sentences per paragraph.
• Use textual evidence whenever possible: refer to the text to make points that extend beyond it. Apply what you are reading to the real world.
• Make connections: draw course material into connections with issues of the day by attempting to integrate references to blogs, websites, online articles, etc. If you need more information about a particular critical lens, seek it out by doing some research online.
• Answer the question being asked: keep your responses focused around a central point or argument without straying from what is assigned.
• Keep your response formal: avoid using made-up words like gonna or kinda and never use texting shortcuts like u for you, lol, etc.
• Move the conversation forward: avoid responses to others where you simply say “I agree.” What else can you add to the thread? What new insight do you have about the original writer’s response? What questions do you have? Does your post bring the conversation to a screeching halt or does it extend it?

Think about conventions.

• Try to fix your spelling mistakes: use Google Drive for drafting your posts.
• Use capitals in the right places: people’s names, places, the beginning of a sentence, and on “I.” Using all capitals is like yelling.
• Punctuate properly: period at the end of a sentence, space after a period, comma, or end bracket. One “!” will do; you don’t need a string of exclamation marks.

As you continue with your chosen classic novel, you will be asked to apply (to the best of your abilities) two critical lenses each week to your reading. In your responses, you should avoid simply summarizing what you read; this is not a book report. Instead, focus on analyzing the plot, characters, setting, etc. through the assigned lens.

READER-RESPONSE CRITICISM

Many of you stated that reader-response criticism seemed the easiest to understand. Therefore, one journal this week will focus on reader-response criticism as it applies to your novel.

Consider the following explanation of the reader-response critical lens taken from Literature: Reading and Writing with Critical Strategies by Steven Lynn:

"Reader-response criticism starts from the idea that the critic's interest ultimately ought to be focused on the reader rather than on the text itself or the author. Without readers, it seems safe to say, there would be little reason to talk about literature; it is the reader who brings the text to life, who gives it meaning. Otherwise, it's just black marks on a white page.

How does one do reader-response criticism? If the goal is to offer a personal, subjective response, one simply reads the text and responds. As you can imagine, such a strategy has been especially popular because it really liberates the reader. It's difficult to see how any response could be wrong: who could say, No, that isn't your response? Some responses may seem richer than others; some responses may seem to deal more fully with the text; some responses may seem more authentic and honest than others. But any particular response may well help another reader to a more interesting or satisfying experience of the work."

With that in mind, in your response this week explain your response to what you have read so far of your assigned book. Here are some possible ideas to consider, but you are not limited to the topics listed:

• Note interesting words, images, phrases, or details. Ask questions and speculate about why the author might have chosen them. Describe how they make you feel.
• Write about literary aspects of the novel such as setting, characterization, dialogue, plot, point of view, theme, and symbolism. What do you notice about these elements of the novel?
• Make connections between the text and your own experiences. What does the reading make you think of? Does it remind you of anyone or any event in your own life?
• Make connections between the text and other texts or events. Does the novel bring to mind any other related issues from the past or present?
• Ask yourself questions about the text. What don’t you understand about the novel or a particular passage within the novel?