Lesson 2
IMPROVING READING COMPREHENSION
Reading is the process of getting meaning from the book and bringing meaning into it.
· Bottom- up processing- derivation of meaning proceeds from the author to the reader.
· Top- down processing- formulation of meaning proceeds from the reader to the author.
· Schemata- refer to all knowledge the reader has stocked or stored in his memory since the time he was conceived.
· Schema- an abstract representation of this old knowledge in his mind.
· Concept- is the condensed form of experience that takes a definite from one’s mind.
· Comprehension- is a process of constructing meaning with the use of some clues in the text and of the schemata or background knowledge of the reader about the text.
5 LEVELS OF THINKING IN UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Level 1- Literal Comprehension- The ideas of meanings formed by the reader at this level are directly stated in the selection. These ideas are elicited by questions beginning with What, When, Where, Who, Which, etc.
Level 2- Interpretative Comprehension- These meanings re- embedded between or among the lines, so at this level, the reader must be good at reading between the lines. The idea he forms are usually elicited by questions beginning with Why and How.
Level 3- Critical Analysis or Critical Evaluation- This level requires the reader to evaluate or weigh the facts, events, character’s viewpoints, then make judgements about the worth of these and the effectiveness of the way they are presented in the selection.
Level 4- Application and Reaction- This refers to the integration of ideas with previous experiences so that new insights and understanding may result. This level is also called “reading beyond the lines,” because the meanings or ideas derived from the story are to be practiced or incorporated in real life situations.
Level 5- Creative Thinking- This is the highest level of understanding. Through this he creates new ideas or new ways of expression with the use of whatever understanding he got of the text.
IMPORTANCE OF CRITICAL AND CREATIVE READING
Critical reading- means reacting to other’s thoughts and to one’s old ideas.
Creative reading- is a kind of reading that requires the reader to produce new ideas, new insights, and new products through the extensive use of his imagination, flow of ideas, ability to see relationships between his own peculiar background experiences and his reading activities, and ability to determine direct and indirect comparison.
GETTING THE MAIN IDEA
Main idea- is the general statement of the content of the paragraphs. It is the core of its content. It is what the paragraph develops. It is the central thought of the paragraph.
Guides for getting the main idea:
1. Look for the common ideas in the selection.
2. The main idea is variably placed in the selection. The main idea may start the paragraph, maybe at the middle or at the end.
3. The main idea is the most important information in the paragraph.
4. See to it that the main idea must be taken from the given paragraph.
5. Formulate the main idea based on the way you comprehend the selection.
NOTING DETAILS
In this technique, the reader focuses his attention by remembering ideas found in the selection. This is a factual type of reading. This technique requires a relatively slow and accurate way of reading.
Guides to follow:
1. Read the selection slowly and carefully.
2. Identify the details that you are supposed to remember.
3. Determine the significant and insignificant ideas.
4. Find out the main and the supporting details.
5. Organize your main and supporting details.
PARAPHRASING AND SUMMARIZING
Paraphrasing- is retaining the meaning of a given text. Its purpose is to express the meaning of a complicated material in a simpler language by using your own words.
Guides to follow:
1. Read the given text carefully.
2. Limit yourself to the meaning of the selection.
3. Confine your ideas to what the author says.
4. Preserve the tone and form of the original and other existing qualities as much as possible.
Summarizing- means making the gist of any longer piece of writing of an original work. It requires clear thinking and high reading ability.
Guides to follow:
1. Read the selection carefully.
2. Take down only the key ideas.
3. Rewrite accurately each main idea in your own words.
4. Disregard the ideas which are not important.
5. Use your own words in writing your summary.
6. Base your summary on the author’s point of view not from your own point of view. Your summary must be concise.
7. Exclude personal views, comments or opinions in making a summary.
8. Your summary may approximately be at least one third of the length of the original.
PATHWAYS TO BETTER READING
1. Know the Essentials of Reading
A. Tangible factors
1. Good eyesight, good hearing, and good general health.
2. Physical environment- proper lighting, ventilation, quiet room, comfortable furniture
3. Legibility, format, and readability of the material.
B. Intangible factors
1. Proper frame of mind- positive thinking
2. Will learn from one’s reading- self motivation, self- discipline, self- confidence, clear purpose, and concentration.
2. Learn to Read Difficult Book
To learn to read a difficult material is to concentrate on getting the main core or ideas of the author, not on every difficult expression one encounters in his reading act.
3. Maintain a Reading Diet
1. Academic or Professional Readings- 50%
(school texts, periodicals, and journals for academic fulfilment)
2. Recreational Readings- 20%
(fiction or nonfiction for personal enjoyment)
3.Current events- 20%
(magazines, newspapers for general information)
4.Spiritual Readings- 10%
(religious books, pamphlets, and handouts for moral and spiritual upliftment)
IMPROVING READING COMPREHENSION
Reading is the process of getting meaning from the book and bringing meaning into it.
· Bottom- up processing- derivation of meaning proceeds from the author to the reader.
· Top- down processing- formulation of meaning proceeds from the reader to the author.
· Schemata- refer to all knowledge the reader has stocked or stored in his memory since the time he was conceived.
· Schema- an abstract representation of this old knowledge in his mind.
· Concept- is the condensed form of experience that takes a definite from one’s mind.
· Comprehension- is a process of constructing meaning with the use of some clues in the text and of the schemata or background knowledge of the reader about the text.
5 LEVELS OF THINKING IN UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Level 1- Literal Comprehension- The ideas of meanings formed by the reader at this level are directly stated in the selection. These ideas are elicited by questions beginning with What, When, Where, Who, Which, etc.
Level 2- Interpretative Comprehension- These meanings re- embedded between or among the lines, so at this level, the reader must be good at reading between the lines. The idea he forms are usually elicited by questions beginning with Why and How.
Level 3- Critical Analysis or Critical Evaluation- This level requires the reader to evaluate or weigh the facts, events, character’s viewpoints, then make judgements about the worth of these and the effectiveness of the way they are presented in the selection.
Level 4- Application and Reaction- This refers to the integration of ideas with previous experiences so that new insights and understanding may result. This level is also called “reading beyond the lines,” because the meanings or ideas derived from the story are to be practiced or incorporated in real life situations.
Level 5- Creative Thinking- This is the highest level of understanding. Through this he creates new ideas or new ways of expression with the use of whatever understanding he got of the text.
IMPORTANCE OF CRITICAL AND CREATIVE READING
Critical reading- means reacting to other’s thoughts and to one’s old ideas.
Creative reading- is a kind of reading that requires the reader to produce new ideas, new insights, and new products through the extensive use of his imagination, flow of ideas, ability to see relationships between his own peculiar background experiences and his reading activities, and ability to determine direct and indirect comparison.
GETTING THE MAIN IDEA
Main idea- is the general statement of the content of the paragraphs. It is the core of its content. It is what the paragraph develops. It is the central thought of the paragraph.
Guides for getting the main idea:
1. Look for the common ideas in the selection.
2. The main idea is variably placed in the selection. The main idea may start the paragraph, maybe at the middle or at the end.
3. The main idea is the most important information in the paragraph.
4. See to it that the main idea must be taken from the given paragraph.
5. Formulate the main idea based on the way you comprehend the selection.
NOTING DETAILS
In this technique, the reader focuses his attention by remembering ideas found in the selection. This is a factual type of reading. This technique requires a relatively slow and accurate way of reading.
Guides to follow:
1. Read the selection slowly and carefully.
2. Identify the details that you are supposed to remember.
3. Determine the significant and insignificant ideas.
4. Find out the main and the supporting details.
5. Organize your main and supporting details.
PARAPHRASING AND SUMMARIZING
Paraphrasing- is retaining the meaning of a given text. Its purpose is to express the meaning of a complicated material in a simpler language by using your own words.
Guides to follow:
1. Read the given text carefully.
2. Limit yourself to the meaning of the selection.
3. Confine your ideas to what the author says.
4. Preserve the tone and form of the original and other existing qualities as much as possible.
Summarizing- means making the gist of any longer piece of writing of an original work. It requires clear thinking and high reading ability.
Guides to follow:
1. Read the selection carefully.
2. Take down only the key ideas.
3. Rewrite accurately each main idea in your own words.
4. Disregard the ideas which are not important.
5. Use your own words in writing your summary.
6. Base your summary on the author’s point of view not from your own point of view. Your summary must be concise.
7. Exclude personal views, comments or opinions in making a summary.
8. Your summary may approximately be at least one third of the length of the original.
PATHWAYS TO BETTER READING
1. Know the Essentials of Reading
A. Tangible factors
1. Good eyesight, good hearing, and good general health.
2. Physical environment- proper lighting, ventilation, quiet room, comfortable furniture
3. Legibility, format, and readability of the material.
B. Intangible factors
1. Proper frame of mind- positive thinking
2. Will learn from one’s reading- self motivation, self- discipline, self- confidence, clear purpose, and concentration.
2. Learn to Read Difficult Book
To learn to read a difficult material is to concentrate on getting the main core or ideas of the author, not on every difficult expression one encounters in his reading act.
3. Maintain a Reading Diet
1. Academic or Professional Readings- 50%
(school texts, periodicals, and journals for academic fulfilment)
2. Recreational Readings- 20%
(fiction or nonfiction for personal enjoyment)
3.Current events- 20%
(magazines, newspapers for general information)
4.Spiritual Readings- 10%
(religious books, pamphlets, and handouts for moral and spiritual upliftment)