Appleman ch 3

Here, Appleman discussed reader response; the benefits and the defecits. I think that reader response is a good structuring device to help students validate their interpretations and relate to the text. However, some of the examples she used from students who filled out a reader response diagram were a bit vague. I am not a huge fan of using diagrams when it comes to something as huge and multifaceted as literature. The reader response diagram only gave way for students to come to a conclusion that didn't help them thorougly develop interpretive skills. The students thought that if they could not relate to the characters i.e. find characteristics parallel to their own (race, beliefs, sexual orientation etc) then the book had no meaning. As an English major, I know that it is not imperative for the reader to relate to the protagonist in order for a book to have meaning. Thus, using this method to develop reader response skills is not very helpful in assisting students learn how to construct meaning. Reader response is great but I don't think I'll use the diagram as is, I'd tweek it to help students think critically about a writing piece.