How does the "text to self" connection benefit readers?

The "text to self" connection enhances readers' engagement with literature by making the themes, characters, and events in the story resonate on a personal level. When readers can relate a text to their own experiences, feelings, or life situations, it deepens their understanding and emotional investment in the material. This connection facilitates a more meaningful interaction with the text, as it allows them to see themselves in the narrative and leads to greater empathy toward the characters and their circumstances. As a result, readers are likely to remember the text and its messages more effectively because of this personal relevance, enhancing both comprehension and retention.

Other options, while they address different aspects of reading, do not capture the essence of how a "text to self" connection specifically enriches the reader's experience in a personal way. Memorization, summarization, and identifying literary devices are important skills but do not inherently connect readers' personal lives to the literature in the same impactful manner as establishing a personal relevance does.