Open AccessEnhancing Engagement in Reading: Reader Response Journals in Secondary English Classrooms
Author(s) -
Janet McIntosh
Publication year - 1944
Publication title -
language and literacy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1496-0974
DOI - 10.20360/g2fw27
Subject(s) - reading (process) , reading comprehension , literacy , ideal (ethics) , mathematics education , journal writing , comprehension , pedagogy , computer science , psychology , linguistics , teaching method , political science , philosophy , law , programming language
Writing reader response journals during the act of reading provides ideal opportunities for secondary English students to deepen and expand their understanding of literature. Based on data from three case studies conducted by a former high school English teacher, currently an English educator, this article examines the effectiveness of students recording response entries as they read a novel. Excerpts from student journals illustrate the positive results of combining the acts of reading and writing. Student engagement with text leads to better comprehension and through writing reflective responses, students become more effective readers.