Sensitivity Readers | ifingo – ferdig modellbesvarelse for norskfaget på ifingo.
Denne guiden gir deg en komplett gjennomgang av hvordan du skriver et topp essay om sensitivity readers, basert på en ekte eksamensoppgave (Task 2) med vedlegg og et mønstersvar.
📋 Exam Question
Recommended word limit: 175–300 words
Using all the provided material, write a text in which you respond to the use of sensitivity readers.
Text A
Shunned by some authors, championed by others: those who work in the book publishing industry as “sensitivity readers” have become the subject of hot debate in recent years. Sensitivity readers can be hired by publishers, usually on a case-by-case basis, to read a book – generally before it is published – and make editorial suggestions regarding content that could be considered offensive, inaccurate or stereotypical. (Taken from the article 'Sensitivity readers: what publishing’s most polarising role is really about' in The Guardian)
Text B
Comment made on Twitter/X about the article quoted in Text A:
@mtbrovna: Damn shame there even is such a thing. I mean, the stuff they're taking out of books, it's laughable.
Text C
I think [people are] confusing sensitivity with weakness. It's not. It takes courage for an author to admit they may not have all the answers. (Note: Dickens changed his depiction of Jews after corresponding with one of his Jewish critics, who pointed out antisemitism in Oliver Twist.)
In later years, he also went through the text and revised it quite heavily, removing over 200 of the more extreme antisemitic references, to the disappointment of some of his more antisemitic readers. He showed the capacity to grow. Perhaps that's what makes a great writer.
- Joanne Harris, author, @Joannechocolat
✏️ Model Answer
Sensitivity Readers – A Threat or a Tool for Growth?
The use of sensitivity readers in the publishing industry has sparked a significant debate. Some, like the commenter in Text B, argue that it’s “a damn shame” such a role exists, suggesting that it restricts creativity and censors literature. However, a closer look reveals that sensitivity readers are not about erasing voices or history—they are about improving accuracy and inclusion.
According to Text A, sensitivity readers are hired to flag potentially offensive or stereotypical content. They are not rewriting books but offering perspective. In a diverse society, not every author can fully understand the experiences of all cultures, identities, or backgrounds. Sensitivity readers help fill in those gaps, ensuring that books don’t unintentionally harm or misrepresent. Far from limiting creativity, this process can enhance it by encouraging authors to think more deeply and write more authentically.
Joanne Harris in Text C provides a powerful historical example: Charles Dickens. After receiving criticism for antisemitic portrayals in Oliver Twist, Dickens revised his work to reduce harmful content. He showed growth and humility—qualities that arguably made him a better writer. This shows that thoughtful revision, even in response to criticism, is not a sign of weakness but of strength and responsibility. …