What happens to you when you read?

Explore the cognitive and emotional impacts of reading in this 3-hour course. Delve into the psychology of storytelling, examining how readers remember and relate to narratives. Investigate the benefits of regular reading, including enhanced empathy and cognitive function. Analyze the experience of being transported into story worlds and how different genres affect reader engagement. Discover the historical evolution of reading practices and the potential therapeutic benefits of both writing and reading. Gain insights into your own reading experiences and develop a deeper appreciation for the transformative power of literature.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Stories: what do you remember?
• 1 Stories: what do you remember?
• 1.1 The order of a story
• 2 The benefits of being a bookworm
• 2 The benefits of being a bookworm
• 3 The experience of reading
• 3 The experience of reading
• 4 Empathy
• 4 Empathy
• 5 What happens to you as you read?
• 5 What happens to you as you read?
• 5.1 How do you relate to characters in a story?
• 5.2 Creative writing
• 6 Exploring the story world
• 6 Exploring the story world
• 7 How did you relate to the story world?
• 7 How did you relate to the story world?
• 7.1 Story world and genre
• 8 Transportation and empathy
• 8 Transportation and empathy
• 9 What did reading do to you?
• 9 What did reading do to you?
• 10 Reading throughout history
• 11 Therapeutic benefits of writing and reading
• Conclusion
• Where next?
• Glossary
• References
• Acknowledgements