Readers' response Theory

Description: focuses on the individual reaction and interpretation of a text by the reader as it is
proposed that only the reader can give a text sufficient meaning. gave importance to the readers more
than a text. argues that a text does not have any meaning in isolation unless the reader experiences it
or reads it.

We need to explore
• the theme ang purpose of the text
• flaws in the plot
• explain why or why not you like the text
• explain if you agree with the writer's perspective or if you disagree with it
BENEFIT
- The text forces the reader to look beyond its words and search for the deeper meaning. As each
reader interprets differently groups of readers form connections and understandings based on each
other's perspectives. As well perspectives will change over time and therefore making meaning
unstable.
DISADVANTAGE
- This theory is too subjective because it focuses on the reader's interpretation therefore reader's bias
and ignores the actual meaning of the text (if there is one), meaning the reader can misinterpret the
text and if the reader knows the author's interpretation then the reader may not believe it, find fault
in it, or completely disregard it.
Text - a piece of literary work. It does not necessarily need to be written in the strictest sense, as there
are literary works that come in the form of spoken and sung stories, comics, and pre-literary works.
Audience - the receivers of the text, as in the individual or group that reads and responds to the
message of the material.
Literature - works that express ideas of permanent or universal interest, in forms of fiction and non-
fiction, or prose and poetry. Such text may include non-written forms as well.
Fiction-works that are imaginary in terms of characters, settings, events, and other elements. (Dili
tinuod)
Non-fiction-works that are presented as historical and factual truths. (Tinuod)
Prose - a form of literature that follows the structure of natural speech. with fully formed sentences
and paragraphs.
Poetry- a form of literature where words are arranged artistically, typically with attention to rhyme,
rhythm, and symbolism.
Literary criticism
• the argumentation and analysis of literary text through different views that focus on the text's
purposes. principles, and perspectives
• Literary text as a whole can be seen in different ways: the same way we can take a photograph of a
statue from different angles and distances.
• there are various ways to analyze and criticize text.
Formalist Criticism
• literature is taken as a form of knowledge that needs to be examined on its own, with all the
necessary elements for understanding the text are contained within the text itself.
(Didto mag base kung unsa na words ang gipang gamit mga symbolism sa text)
Biographical Criticism
• the work is analyzed through understanding the facts of the life of the author, and how they have
affected the events and themes of the text.
(Dili text imohang tanawon mag search naka mag investigate kung unsa nahitabo sa author unsa
iyahang gipang agianan para ma incorporate nimo siya para ma analyze nimo siya) (nahitabo sa
author) (life sa author)
Historical Criticism
• the work is analyzed through examining the historical events that occurred within the context of
writing the text, and how the zeitgeist influenced its themes.
(What happened during the time the text was written, like unsa ang context ato sa iyahang text)
Gender Criticism
the work is analyzed with how sexual identity influenced the creation and reception of the text, most
notably through a feminist lens.
(Ginagamit kay feminist way to analyzing the text, which means tanawon nato ang role sa babae
kung unsa gigamit ang role sa babae didto sa text
Psychological Criticism
• the work is analyzed with methods influenced in large part by Freud's psychoanalysis, wherein
characters, themes, and even authors, are examined with a focus on the circumstances that influence
their motivations and/or behavior.
(Deal psychological side/area/part sa writer or maybe the characters pati pud ang Tema na gigamit
kay kana pud daw sila maka affect sa text on we analyze it)
Sociological Criticism
• the text is examined with how societal elements are represented in the work.
• An influential type of this is Marxist criticism(very popular. Follows idea that all art is political),
which focuses on the economic and political impact of the piece, following the idea that all art is
political i.e. it can be used to challenge or endorse the status quo.
Reader-Reponse Criticism
• the work is treated to contain no meaning until unless a reader derives meaning from it, with the
fundamental idea that literature is a transaction between the text and the mind of the audience.
(Mag depend ang meaning sa usa na text from reading it)
Prompts for reader's response criticism
• what does the text have to do with you, personally.
• how much does the text agree or clash with your view of the world, and what you consider right and
wrong?
• how did you learn, and how much were your views and opinions challenged or changed by this text.
If at all?
• critique the text
• how well did you enjoy the text (or not) on entertainment or as a work of art?
Deconstructionist Criticism
• the work is examined with a focus on how language is used in the text, not on what is said, in
contrast to Formalist Criticism.
• Instead of finding unity in work, it explores the varied meanings and contradictions in the text. It
rejects the assumption that language can accurately represent reality.
(Imohang tanawon still the language, pero gi unsa siya pag gamit didto sa text not unsay gi ingon
didto sa text, opposite of formalist Criticism) (language is not a realible tool for communication
Reader's response criticism
(Finding meaning and the act of reading itself
HOW TO DO RRC?
Do not use the standard approach of just writing: "I liked this text because it is so cool and the ending
made me feel happy," or "I hated it because it was stupid, and had nothing at all to do with my life,
and was too negative and boring."
• In writing a response you may assume the reader has already read the text. Thus, do not summarize
the contents of the text at length. Instead, take a systematic, analytical approach to the text.
In the beginning paragraph of your reader- response essay, be sure to mention the following:
• title of the work to which you are responding:
• the author; and
• the main thesis of the text.
Answer this questions:
• What does the text have to do with you, personally, and with your life (past, present or future)?
• How much does the text agree or clash with your view of the world, and what you consider fight and
wrong?
(Use several quotes as an example of the text) (this prove evidenced to back up your idea)
• What did you learn, and how much were your views and opinions challenged or changed by this text,
if at all? Did the Text communicate with you? Why or why not?
• How well does the text address things that you, personally, care about and consider important to the
world? How does it address things that are important to your family, your
community, your ethnic group, to people of your economic or social class or background or your faith
tradition? If not, who does or did the text serve? Did it pass the "Who cares?" test?
• What can you praise about the text?
• How well did you enjoy the text (or not) as entertainment or as a work of art?
(Criticizing nag necessarily na mag complain ka or kanang mangita ka ug male)
For the conclusion, you might want to discuss.
• your overall reactionto the text
• whether you would read something else like is in the Future;
• whether you would read something else else but is author; and
• if would you recommend need this text to someone else and why.
Leadership reponse project,.reader is essential for meaning the clients to life