Dimensions and predictors of literary response

To rest the validity of the Literary Response Questionnaire (LRQ, Miall & K uiken, 1995b) and to assess its relationships with student, home-background , and school-related variables, the LRQ was administered to Dutch students in grades 7, 8, and 9. The seven first-order factors of the LRQ, as identif ied by Miall and Kuiken (1995b) were confirmed. One of the two second-order factors was not identified. However, a model with two different second-ord er factors fitted the data. Trance, the first factor, represents the degree to which a reader is absorbed in a story. Literary Interpretation, the sec ond factor, represents the degree to which a reader likes or dislikes liter ary criticism and reflection on the meaning of what is read. Grade, gender, type of education, vocabulary size, reading behavior, and cultural level o f the home environment were the best predictors of the literary response sc ores. Results are discussed in relation to response theories and research a nd to literary education.