Generally, response tweets (by clicking the reply button or starting your tweet with someone's handle) will garner much less attention than a broadcast tweet.

Normal broadcast tweets should be shown to your followers and followers of those who like or retweet your content.

Response tweets will only be shown to folks who follow you and the original tweeter. But they are also visible to those who choose to peruse responses to tweets.

Don't underestimate this last category.

If you respond to someone who has a large following, you can stand on their shoulders (especially if their tweet is popular).

Having said all of this, responses are generally for interacting with others and not for broadcasting content.

Your homework: