Successful Sixteenth

My Response

For achieving reading comprehension success, a sixteenth strategy, My Response, is very useful. It is not something you have time to think about when sitting for a reading comprehension test, so is therefore not included in the main list, but is helpful when you have the time. In My Response you think more about your own thoughts and feelings. You have done that to some extent with other strategies such as Going to the RACES and Casing a Critical Eye, but here you take it a step further. You will find that the older you get, the deeper you think about your response. You ask yourself questions like:
  • Did I like reading this?
  • Was it what I was expecting?
  • What was my favourite part?
  • Were there any parts I didn't like?
  • Would I have written any part of it differently?
  • Did the author achieve his or her purpose - was I entertained, informed, persuaded?
  • Did I learn something new?
  • Is there anything I didn't agree with?
  • Did I understand everything I read?
  • Do I need to do further reading on this topic?
  • Would I read more texts by the same author?
  • Would I read similar texts in future?
  • How has the text impacted me?
  • Has the text changed my world view in any way?
  • Should I allow the text to impact me or change my world view?
  • Is there anything I would do in response to reading the text, such as were there any recommendations I would like to follow?
  • Is there anything I would do differently in my life as a result of reading the text?
  • Is there anything I would like to write in response to what was written?
Asking such questions helps to maintain your active reading, which enhances your understanding of what you have read and what you take away from the experience. It also helps you reflect on your own writing. As writers we are influenced by what we read, not just in terms of the content but also our own writing style. We may be inspired to write in a similar way or discover that we would prefer to write in a different way. It is always helpful to keep thinking about these things and being aware of our own response.