Question

Reader Response is a type of critical thinking, because you need to analyze and evaluate your own experiences with those from the text.

While we're reading, what are two other aspects of critical thinking we could apply to be responsive

Answer 1

Two useful aspects to add while reading:

- Ask focused questions (clarify, probe assumptions). While you read, pause to ask who is speaking, what are they taking for granted, what’s unclear or unexplained, and what alternative explanations exist. Example: for a character-driven story ask “Why did they act that way?”; for an essay ask “What evidence would change the author’s conclusion?” This keeps you actively engaged and ready to respond.

- Evaluate evidence and bias (assess credibility). Look for the text’s supporting details, check whether claims are backed by facts or just opinion, and note rhetorical techniques or potential bias. For nonfiction, check sources and logical gaps; for fiction, notice whether the narrator is reliable. This helps you form a reasoned, evidence-based response rather than just a personal reaction.