Reading Comprehension Learning Objectives To understand what reading comprehension is To learn that there are 3 levels of comprehension And therefore 3 levels of reading To learn how to read and comprehend effectively To test our reading comprehension ability

What is Reading Comprehension? Reading Comprehension is the understanding and interpretation of something you have read. When you read, there must be comprehension; otherwise no reading takes place. To be able to accurately comprehend written material, you need to be able to: Make sense of what you have read. Make connections between what you have read and what you already know. Think deeply about what you have read.

There are 3 Levels of Comprehension 1. Literal – (Reading the lines) a surface level / literal meaning has been grasped. 2. Inferential – (Reading between the lines) any suggested or implied meaning has been grasped. 3. Critical – (Reading beyond the lines) you are able to make analysis and personal evaluative judgements about the reading.

3 Levels of Reading to Comprehend Literal reading - requires you to identify and recall facts mentioned explicitly (clearly) in the text . Inferential reading- requires you to look for implied or suggested meaning in the text. Critical reading- takes place when you evaluate, give judgement or opinions on ideas in the text, using your prior knowledge or background experiences.

How do I read and comprehend ? By ‘Noting’ details: this means you try to remember particular details within the text to be able to answer any related questions. You can take Note of details mentally, however this puts a strain on your short term memory. This task becomes even more difficult depending on the length and complexity of the text. Therefore it is better to highlight and underline key details, and to make annotations alongside the text, to help you recall.

What Details do I Note? Significant (important and relevant) details are supposed to be remembered. When are details considered significant or insignificant? The answer to this depends on the reader’s purpose. Your purpose, as the reader, is determined by the particular details you are looking for whilst reading. The particular details are usually determined by the comprehension question you are trying to answer.

Tips for reading for details: 1. Be definite about your purpose in reading a selection. (be sure about what details you’re looking for) There are times when you have to read a text more than once, if your purposes are different every time you read. 2. Read the passage slowly and carefully, taking note as you go along.

Tips for reading for details: 3. Remember the details in relation to ideas you want to remember rather than as isolated bits of information. 4. Be able to distinguish main or big ideas from sub-ideas. When you know the main ideas, it is easier to remember the supporting details.

Your Turn! Over the next couple of slides we will read a short story -- ONCE! I want you to try to note the significant details (in your mind or on some paper) Then we will try to answer some reading comprehension questions together

The Applicant A gentleman put an advertisement in a newspaper for a boy to work in his office. Out of nearly fifty who came to apply, the man selected one and dismissed the others. “ I should like to know”, said a friend, “the reason you selected that boy who brought not a single letter, not a single recommendation.” ‘’You are wrong” said the gentleman, “ He had a great many. He wiped his feet at the door and closed the door after him, showing that he was careful. He gave his seat instantly to that lame old man, showing that he was kind and thoughtful.

The Applicant He took off his cap when he came in and answered my questions promptly, showing that he was polite and gentlemanly. All the rest stepped over the book which I had purposely put on the floor. He picked it up and placed it on the table; and he waited quietly for his turn instead of pushing and crowding. When I talked to him, I noticed his tidy clothing, his finely brushed hair, and his clean fingernails. Do you not call these things recommendations? I do; I consider them more important than letters.”

Answer these Questions What was the purpose of the gentleman’s advertisement? How many people were needed for employment? What was extraordinary about the applicant who got hired? How did the applicant, who got hired, impress the employer? What was the employer’s idea of recommendations?

Answers 1. What was the purpose of the gentleman’s advertisement? To recruit a boy to work in his office. 2. How many people were needed for employment? One person 3. What was extraordinary about the applicant who got hired? He was careful, kind, thoughtful, polite, gentlemanly, tidy and clean. 4. How did the applicant, who got hired, impress the employer? Gave his seat to lame old man, answered questions promptly, was the only one to pick up the book left purposely on the floor. 5. What was the employer’s idea of recommendations? The boy’s thoughtful and kind behaviour as well as clean and tidy appearance