Deep, focused, and critical reading between media

Abstract

The concept of deep reading is defined as the application of higher-order thinking skills to the process of reading. It includes analogical skills, critical analysis, reflection, and insight. Deep reading is also often associated with particular media, primarily printed books, preferably certain kinds of literature. This chapter discusses some of the prevalent ideas surrounding notions of focused, critical and valued reading modes and how these are connected to media technologies, implicitly or explicitly. Some scholars, such as Nicholas Carr, have suggested that digital media in general and the kinds of distracted, quick, or hypertextual reading that the Internet provides in particular are detrimental to our ability to focus and engage deeply. Within media studies, however, research has pointed to other equally important aspects of engagement that must be redefined so as not to be inextricably linked to a particular medium or genre.