Reader feedback is a form of audience engagement that allows readers to communicate directly with journalists about their opinions and experiences with a story. This feedback influences editorial decisions and fosters a stronger connection between audiences and media outlets. Reader feedback can be found in a variety of formats, including social media, letters to the editor, and editorial columns.
When authors receive reader response, they can benefit from taking a step back and looking at the feedback objectively. Rather than getting defensive and retreating into negative emotions, authors can use the feedback as motivation to improve their work. For example, if an author is told that their dialog lacks energy, they can push themselves to create more dialogue-driven scenes. Or, if they’re told their plot twists are trite, they can challenge themselves to come up with more inventive ones.
One of the most popular methods of gathering reader feedback is by utilizing manuscript evaluation or beta reading services from peers. Ideally, these services are used after the author has self-edited the manuscript as much as possible but before they’re ready to submit it for publication. Having an outside eye can help writers spot problems that they’re too close to see—for instance, unexplained time lapses or characters with motivation issues.
Reader response is also widely used in classrooms to encourage students to make text to text, text to self, and text to world connections. It’s also a key tool in helping teachers teach the skills of critical analysis.
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