Reader's Stages 

Purpose in Reading

Primary Task of Reader

Reader's Distance from the Text 

 Reader's Questions about the Text (Formal Elements and Areas of Study)

 Reader

 Entertainment

 Read

 Immediate (Unmediated)

 Thatness
 Humor/Wit (Sociological)
 Insight (Psychological)
 Beauty (Aesthetic)

 Student

 Understanding

 Conceptualize

 Reflexive (Responsive)

 Whatness
 Event (Plot)
 Person (Character)
 Meaning (Theme)

 Critic

 Appreciation

 Formalize

 Self-Conscious 
(Investigative)

 Howness
 Form (Structure)
 Style (Imagery)
 Intent (Point of View)

 Scholar

 Expansion

 Reconstruct

 Multi-Conscious (Exploratory)

 Whyness
 Context (History)
 Text (Bibliography)
 Metatext (Criticism)