Reader Response!
Richard Beach discusses the Five Theoretical Perspectives in his book "Reader Response Theories." These five theories with a brief description are listed below:
1. Experiential Theories - This involves the reader's experience and engagement with the book. Beach believes that before there is a "relationship" (the reader organizes and interprets the reading) there is no meaning or value to the piece of literature.
2. Textual Theories - Theorists here focus on how the meaning of a reading is shaped by the reader's prior knowledge of text and various literacy conventions. Gaps of text are filled by the reader's knowledge. In comic books, there are more gaps to be filled so this requires more focus and concentration from the reader for the interpretation of the narration. There are many conventions that need to be interpreted and understood by the reader in order for the reader to be able to comprehend and respond to the reading. Some of those conventions are:
Panels, Panel Boarders, Perspective, Lettering, Narration and Captions, Balloons, Sound Effects, Time, Motion, Gutters, etc.
3. Psychological Theories - The belief that readers are shaped by their cognitive and/or intellectual development is the focus of psychological theorists. These theories help teachers understand a child's response in comparison with their developmental level.
4. Social Theories - These theories are focused on the social aspect of responding to a text. The social climate of a classroom can have an impact on this type of reader responses. Theorists in this category believe overly-structured classrooms can put this type of response at a disadvantage because students do not feel they are allowed to are comfortable enough to respond in a social manner.
5. Cultural Theories - For the cultural theories, theorists analyze how a child's attitudes and values shape their perspective on their response to reading.
1. Experiential Theories - This involves the reader's experience and engagement with the book. Beach believes that before there is a "relationship" (the reader organizes and interprets the reading) there is no meaning or value to the piece of literature.
2. Textual Theories - Theorists here focus on how the meaning of a reading is shaped by the reader's prior knowledge of text and various literacy conventions. Gaps of text are filled by the reader's knowledge. In comic books, there are more gaps to be filled so this requires more focus and concentration from the reader for the interpretation of the narration. There are many conventions that need to be interpreted and understood by the reader in order for the reader to be able to comprehend and respond to the reading. Some of those conventions are:
Panels, Panel Boarders, Perspective, Lettering, Narration and Captions, Balloons, Sound Effects, Time, Motion, Gutters, etc.
3. Psychological Theories - The belief that readers are shaped by their cognitive and/or intellectual development is the focus of psychological theorists. These theories help teachers understand a child's response in comparison with their developmental level.
4. Social Theories - These theories are focused on the social aspect of responding to a text. The social climate of a classroom can have an impact on this type of reader responses. Theorists in this category believe overly-structured classrooms can put this type of response at a disadvantage because students do not feel they are allowed to are comfortable enough to respond in a social manner.
5. Cultural Theories - For the cultural theories, theorists analyze how a child's attitudes and values shape their perspective on their response to reading.
When it comes to responding to a graphic novel, there are many considerations to take into play. Reading a graphic novel is more involved than a traditional text novel, the reader must use the comic conventions found throughout the book along with the pictures and words themselves. It is important for a student/child to understand these conventions in order to successfully read and interpret the graphic novel. Once these convention are understood, there is generally little or no misinterpretation of the reading itself. Some examples of reader responses that could be used within the classroom when responding to graphic novel readings can be found below:
1. Comparing a comic panel to a computer screen:
This comparison can help a student understand and analyze the content and design of both a computer screen and comic panel. This helps making the connection for the student in recognizing that the value of multi-literacies is extremely important. This can be a stepping stone for a students' understanding of multi-literacies across various classrooms and content areas. To the left there is a picture of a simple compare and contrast graphic organizer. Depending on what grade level you do this reader response with, you could use a basic compare and contrast organizer like this one. If you were working with higher grades, a much more in depth graphic organizer could be used that is more at their level. |
2. Interpreting Thematic Issues
There are themes throughout all books, stories and novels. This rule of thumb includes graphic novels. Graphic novels carry a theme throughout the entire story. This theme is portrayed differently than in traditional text novels. The pictures, imagery, comic conventions all have specific symbolism. Having students recognize that symbolism can help them show their comprehension of the thematic issues throughout the novel. Thematic issues can be portrayed in a variety of ways, and can also be discussed in a variety of ways. Having readers respond to the thematic issues using their opinions can help the reader interpret and take a side on the issues, especially if it is a controversial topic. To the right is an example of a theme mini lesson worksheet that could be used within the classroom. |
3. Creating a comic
Having students create their own comic is always a creative and fun way to have them respond to reading. This can help a reader build connections; world, text and personal. A student can write an epilogue to the graphic novel which can show their interpretation of how they believe the story would have or could have ended differently. This helps show the reader's understanding of the author's narration throughout the graphic novel. |
4. Applying graphic novel conventions
In written or spoken responses, students can use the comic convention specific vocabulary in their analysis of the novel. Examples of such response could be that a student points out that on a specific page, volume is depicted visually as the print of the letters in a speech balloon increase. Other conventions can be used and analyzed to help a student show their interpretation of a story. Using this terminology can also help a student with explaining such interpretation, by using specific examples from the actual text. |