Developing Comprehension Skills 31n5e

DEVELOPING COMPREHENSION SKILLS

WH AT I S CO M P R E HE NSI O N?

It is a “construction process” because it involves all of the elements of reading process working together as a text is read to create a representation of the text in the reader’s mind.

LEVELS OF COMPREHENSION Literal Level (Reading the Lines) requires the readers to or recall facts explicitly or directly found in the material read.  Noting details  Sequencing events  Associating quotations with speakers, etc.

Interpretative Level or Inferential (Reading between the Lines) requires the readers to look for implied information in the selection. Getting the main idea Making inferences Predicting outcomes Identifying cause-effect relationship drawing conclusions generalizations  Summarizing

Critical Level or Evaluative (Reading Beyond the Lines) takes place when readers evaluate the materials read, gives judgment or opinions on ideas read using his prior knowledge or background experience in relation to the information read.

Evaluating author’s style and purpose Distinguishing facts from opinions, etc.

Integrative Level relating the readers’ previous ideas to the new ones, and associating reading with self and life

Creative Level

Illustrating ideas and events, and making new sequels of a story, etc.

STUDY SKILLS AND AESTHETIC READING

STUDY SKILLS Used to gather informationone must have knowledge on the effective use of the library which is supposed to be the main source of printed references

Used for information to be organized and to do this, it requires knowledge of summarizing, outlining and note- taking.

NOTE - TAKING It is the recording of the important items of information for future use. GENERAL GUIDES FOR NOTETAKING  First, read carefully all headings to understand the purpose of the writing and its organization.

If the material is not difficult take the notes as you read. These words should consists mainly of key words, that is, important words that will remind you of the ideas that you want to . If the material is difficult, read a section through; then take note as you pre- read it.

Distinguish between important and minor ideas. If you are reading a selection for specific purpose, distinguish between the idea that fits on your purpose, and those that do not. Make use of topic sentences to find and understand the main ideas for your notes.

OUTLINING It is the skeletal framework of your paper. It helps you organize the ideas and information you collected from different reading materials. Since the main concern or purpose of the outline is to show relationships among various ideas, you must, then, make an outline that is clear, logical, and orderly.

An outline may be any of the following: topic outline, sentence outline, or paragraph outline. Because the ideas in the outline are categorized as major or minor, you must then devise a numbering technique that will show not only their differences, but also their similarities.

TWO METHODS IN NUMBERING AN OUTLINE

TRADITIONAL I. A. B. C. 1. 2. 3. a. b. c.

MODERN 1. 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 1.3.3.1 1.3.3.2 1.3.3.3

EFFERENT READING VIA INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

REFERENCE BOOKS A specific kind of publication which has been planned and written to be consulted for items of information, rather than read throughout.

GENERAL REFERENCE BOOKS DICTIONARY- provides information about words- meaning, origin, pronunciation, syllabication, usage and current status. ENCYCLOPEDIA- gives an overview of a topic, including definition, description, background and bibliographical references.

 INDEX- points out where information can be found. A list of items (as topics or names) treated in a printed work that gives for each item the page where it may be found.  YEARBOOK- often called an annual, presents the events of the past year in brief, concise form.

HANDBOOK- literally a small book which can be held conventionally in the hand, provides miscellaneous items of information. ALMANAC- originally a projection of the coming year by days, months, holidays, and weather forecasts. A collection of miscellaneous facts and statistical information.

BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY- a collection of sketches by varying lengths about the lives of individuals, arranged alphabetically by surname. DIRECTORY- lists the names and addresses of persons, organizations or institutions.

ATLAS- a volume of maps, plates or charts, with or without explanatory text. GAZETTEER- a volume which provides geographical information and data about places. BIBLIOGRAPHY- a list of books and other materials which have some relationship to each other. The materials listed are described as to author, title, publisher, price and number of pages.

SUBJECT REFERENCE BOOKS

 Those in which the material is devoted to a specific subject area, such as literature, art, or history.