Reading, Thought, Interpretation & Criticism

Glossary: Reading, Thought, Interpretation & Criticism

Term	Meaning
Close Reading	Careful attention to language, structure, and meaning.
Canon	Works widely regarded as foundational or exemplary.
Interpretation	The act of deriving meaning from a text.
Critical Lens	A framework for analyzing literature.
Critical Reading	Evaluating assumptions, arguments, and implications.
Context	Historical, cultural, or biographical background.
Intentional Fallacy	Error of equating meaning with authorial intent.
Reader Response	Theory emphasizing the reader’s role in meaning-making.
Intertextuality	The relationship between texts across time.
Annotation	Explanatory or reflective notes added to explain or analyze a text.
Hermeneutics	The theory of interpretation.
Cognitive Load	The mental effort required to process a text.
Slow Reading	Deliberate, attentive engagement with a text.