Providing choice enhances reading motivation

Multiple literacy programmes embed a choice of reading material into their programmes, as this is believed to enhance motivation for reading. Yet, this practice has not been experimentally evaluated. Is choice effective at boosting reading motivation? Is the nature of choice provided important? Using a new experimental paradigm to tap reading motivation, we assessed whether reading enjoyment and willingness to pay for books were influenced by having: (a) a choice of book; or (b) a choice of book genre. Having choice increased both reading enjoyment and the amount participants were willing to pay for books. Our results show that choice boosts enjoyment for reading. This has implications for the design of literacy programmes, indicating that incorporating choice in such programmes is beneficial.