Instructors often use response and forum questions for two reasons. The first is that weekly (or daily) response questions ensure that students keep up with the reading schedule. Without some type of enforcement, students often skim through texts or, worse yet, depend on cliff notes or whatever they can find on the internet thinking that the abbreviated information will suffice for the larger essays or exams. The second reason instructors often require response and forum questions is that they give students the opportunity to explore interpretive approaches and analyze literary conventions without feeling the pressure and impact of the grade that accompanies a larger essay. In addition, these assignments provide a great way for students to hone their writing skills.
