Final answer:
Reading in the modern context is an active, conversational process involving experience, interpretation, and evaluation, extending literacy beyond traditional bounds to encompass multifaceted competences in communication and critical engagement with various texts and cultural discourse.
Step-by-step explanation:
In our newly networked world, reading can best be understood as D. a conversation. It is a dynamic process that involves not just taking in words but also engaging with them critically and emotionally. According to Dr. Milligan, reading is an intimate form of connection where the reader shares the breath of the author, allowing words and their meanings to become a part of one's body and consciousness. This symbiotic relationship continues as readers engage with the narrative, responding to character development and events, and it is influenced by the interplay of various narrative elements.
The act of reading is further characterized by experience, interpretation, and evaluation. This highlights the importance of engaging actively with the text to facilitate learning, critical thinking, and communication. This is evident in Robert DiYanni's characterization of reading as a multifaceted process. Further, literacy in the modern multimedia and kinesthetic world extends beyond traditional reading and writing, encompassing competence in communication across various modes and contexts.
Through reading, we enter an academic and cultural conversation, as described by Kenneth Burke, where each participant adds to a timeless exchange of ideas. This engagement with texts is not passive but calls for active involvement where comprehension leads to critical analysis and understanding. As readers, whether we are engaging with literary texts, social media, or academic discourse, we utilize critical thinking strategies such as summary, paraphrase, analysis, and evaluation to enhance our understanding and contribute meaningfully to the dialogue.