Reader engagement refers to the level of interest, emotional connection, and active involvement readers experience while engaging with a literary work. It is a measure of how captivated and invested readers become in the text.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. When readers empathize with characters' emotions and experiences, they become more engaged in the story.
Symbolism is when objects, actions, or events represent deeper meanings beyond their literal interpretation. The use of symbolism can engage readers by inviting them to analyze hidden messages within the text.