readchoose

Readchoose is a concept and set of design patterns for enabling reader-directed navigation within digital texts. It allows readers to influence the sequence of content by selecting from options presented at decision points, effectively creating branching reading paths. Readchoose can be implemented in e-readers, web readers, or educational platforms and is not tied to a single product.

How it works: content is organized as a graph of sections or modules connected by choices. At each decision point, the reader selects an option, routing them to the next node. The system may use rule-based logic, machine learning, or metadata to present relevant options and adapt the path to the reader’s goals, prior selections, or comprehension signals. Privacy and consent are important when collecting preference data.

Features and design considerations: support for branching narratives or curricula, optional linear fallbacks, progress tracking, and accessibility features such as screen-reader support and adjustable text presentation. Interfaces may use buttons, swipe gestures, or natural-language prompts. Authors can create content with multiple outcomes and ensure coherence across branches.

Applications: readchoose is often discussed in education technology to tailor lessons to individual learners, in interactive fiction and journalism to offer personalized storylines, and in language learning to present progressively challenging material based on user choices.

History and terminology: readchoose as a named term is a relatively recent coinage in discussions of interactive reading interfaces. It aligns with hypertext, choose-your-own-adventure formats, adaptive learning, and recommender systems, but there is no single standard specification. Real-world implementations vary widely.

See also interactive fiction, branching narratives, adaptive learning, recommender systems.