New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Transactional theory emphasizes the interaction between the reader and the text, highlighting that reading is not a passive act of decoding words but rather an active engagement where meaning is constructed through the relationship between the two. This theory posits that each reader brings their own experiences, emotions, and perspectives to the reading process, which influences how they interpret and understand the text. This interaction creates a unique transaction for each individual reader, leading to various interpretations and meanings being derived from the same text.

The focus on this dynamic process stands in stark contrast to a perspective that might view reading as solely author-focused, limiting the understanding solely to the author's intent. Additionally, reading is depicted as a nuanced and subjective experience rather than a simplistic or binary process, which underscores the importance of context and the multifaceted nature of interpretation. Thus, the inclusion of reader response and personal context in understanding literature is a critical aspect of transactional theory, making it a foundational concept in the study of reading.