Definition 1 of 2
Definition
In the communication model used in instruction, the reader is the receiver of a written message — the person who interprets the words on the page and constructs meaning from them. The reader's existing knowledge, background, and expectations directly affect how the message is understood.
Plain English
The person on the receiving end of something written. In teaching, it's whoever is trying to make sense of the text the instructor (or author) put together.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of written communication, training materials, checklists, handbooks, and instructions.
Derivation
Reader comes from read plus -er, meaning “one who reads.” Read traces back to an Old English word meaning to advise, interpret, or explain, which fits this use: the reader is not just looking at words, but interpreting their meaning.
Why Pilots Care
Instructors who write training materials, briefing notes, or checklists need to remember that the reader brings their own background to the page. A poorly worded sentence can be read correctly by an experienced pilot and completely misunderstood by a student — same words, different result.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a reader as someone who merely sees words on a page. Here, the reader is the person who must understand the intended message.
Example Sentence 1
When writing a lesson handout, the instructor must consider what the reader already knows so the explanation lands at the right level.
Example Sentence 2
A misread radio call occurs when the reader fails to interpret the sender's full intent.